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Learn How To Launch a Fund in 2026  Without Wall Street Experience

The Fund Academy teaches emerging managers what they need to know to start a fund.

30 day Money Back Guarantee
Frameworks Used By Clients Managing $4.8B AUM
200+ Videos
5,200+ Members
pricing

Sign Up For Fund Academy

Fund Academy Course
$4,997
Industry Specific Courses
$382
NEW* Excel Vault
$10,000
LPA and PPM Templates
$597
Doing your first deal course
$97
Pitch Deck Templates
$297
Bonus: Partnership Discounts
$500
Bonus: Live Flip Course Access
$2,997
Total value
$19,867
MSRP
$2500
Cyber Monday Price
$497

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overview

The Most Detailed Fund Course Ever

Program Overview

The Fund Academy is the ultimate program for launching your own fund. Get access to an incredible Hero Team of Fund Manager coaches in addition to 220+ training videos, LPA/PPM legal doc templates, 100+ hours of content, pitch deck examples, excel workbooks, excel models, and more.

100+ Hours of Content Available Anywhere

Frameworks Used By Clients Managing $4.8B AUM***

Step by Step Guides and Other Resources

Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced

features

Explore The Program

The Fund Academy includes four main modules and 12 supporting modules, each of which help walk you through the fund launch formula. Explore the videos in the main modules below.

Going Through a Full Investment/Deal Cycle

When you're putting together a team to go through a full deal cycle—from acquisition to exit—it’s crucial that your team members have real experience.

7 min

The Easiest Fund to Start

Bridger shares insight into different fund types and explains the launching difficulties for each one.

11 min

Who Are Your Main Competitors?

Explore the reasons you must immerse yourself in the market and understand both the big players and the emerging ones.

8 min

What is the Timing of your Investment Strategy?

Getting your timing right is key. Bridger shares a streamlined approach to ensure your investment strategy is well-timed.

8 min

Establishing Credibility with Investors

Bridger explains the best strategies to gain credibility with investors and start to raise capital.

8 min

Strengthen Your Team

Bridger highlights the value of adding partners to your fund management team.

12 min

The Essentials of Side Letter Agreements

Bridger talks about side letter agreements and explains the what, when, and how.

5 min

Handling & Identifying Liquidity Risk

Lincoln explains why liquidity risk management isn’t just about reacting—it’s about anticipating.

12 min

Fund Closings

Discover the lifecycle of a fund and how funds close.

11 min

Debt vs. Equity: Investor Types Explained

Learn about the key differences between debt and equity investors and how they fit into fund structure.

5 min

Non-Accredited Investor Funds Explained

Bridger explains non-accredited investor types and which types of funds they fit into.

14 min

American vs. European Waterfall: Key Differences

Explore the differences between the American and European Waterfall fund structures.

4 min

Key Steps to Raising Capital

Bridger shares the key steps to the third step in the fund launch formula: raising capital.

3 min

Raising Capital: The Basics

Learn the basics of raising capital in three main stages.

6 min

Mastering the Capital Raising Matrix

Master the capital raising matrix and learn the types of investors to raise from.

13 min

Connect and Captivate: Room Reading Techniques

Bridger explains how to read a room and make connections that will propel your fund forward.

18 min

Mastering Your Pitch Deck: Tips & Tricks

Learn how to properly use the pitch deck resources offered as part of the fund academy.

23 min

Unlock Your Edge: The Core Four Framework

Learn how to gain an edge in a competitve market with the core four framework.

14 min

Mastering Step 4: Tri-Force Framework

Learn how the master the tri-force framework when setting up legal documents.

16 min

How the SEC Began: Purpose and Ambitions

Bridger explains the purpose of the SEC, why it began, and the ambitions behind its founding.

11 min

Working with Worldwide Regulators

Bridger explains the nuances of working with worldwide regulators.

6 min

Understanding Fiduciary Duty: Key Obligations

Discover the ins and outs of fiduciary duty and the key obligations associated with it.

4 min

Mastering Capital Calls & Distribution

Learn how to master capital calls and distribution from Bridger and Adam Campbell.

6 min

Paying Commissions: Fundraising Guidelines

Bridger and John Pennington explain the legal framework behind commissions and fundraising.

7 min

Included Mini-Courses

The Fund Academy's supporting modules build on the Fund Launch Formula's essential concepts and dive deeper into more specific topics. Hover on each module below for a description of its content.

How to Manage Your Fund

How to Find a Domain, Build a Website, Run Ads and Further Expand Your Reach as a Fund Manager

Learn from a World-Class Fund Accountant

Our All-Intensive Hedge Fund Course

Our All-Intensive P.E. & S.B.A. Fund Course

Our All-Intensive Forex & Futures Course

Our All-Intensive Venture Capital Course

Our All-Intensive Real Estate Fund Course

Our All-Intensive Crypto Funds Course

Learn How to Make Your First Deal Successful

Our All-Intensive Hedge Fund Incubator Course

Our All-Intensive Reg A, A+, and CF (Crowdfunding) Course

Meet Your Mentor

CO-Founder of fund launch

Bridger Pennington

After launching two funds with a combined $260M AUM, Bridger Pennington started helping new fund managers launch over 300 funds with a combined AUM of over $4.8 Billion. His goal is to help new fund managers learn how to launch their own investment funds.

What The Public Thinks

"I saw your course, bought it, took the full course over the weekend. I have been listening to some portions several times. On Monday night and tuesday this week, I did a presentation based on the course. This presentation resulted in a soft commitment of 20 million and have meetings next with other investors."

Torund B.

"I feel like there's someone seeing this who is where I was 26 years ago. I've now built a multimillion dollar real estate investment firm. The fund information Bridger is giving will take us into the billion dollar realm."

Branden B.

Explore Fund Launch Reviews

Black Card Member

"DWG with $60 million AUM (all industrial)...We raised the first $3 million in one phone call..."

Judd

"We already have $60 million AUM in industrial assets, comprising 600,000 ft^2 that we purchased over the last two years."

Percy

"Penn Capital has done 10+ syndications in addition to the fund and owned over $220mm in multifamily."

Heather

"Within a quick and painless six months, we became confident managers of a $15M private credit debt fund..."

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I get lifetime access with my purchase?

Yes. Purchasing the Fund Academy once provides lifetime access, allowing you watch all trainings and use all resources that come with the Fund Academy forever.

Does this program actually contain everything I need to start a fund?

The Fund Academy is the complete A-Z on starting a fund, put together by top experts in the fund space. It includes trainings on: finding good deals / market positioning, getting amazing partners, structuring your fund, compliance and regulation, fund documents, fund management and accounting, raising capital from private investors, and more.

Is my asset class covered?

The Fund Academy includes industry specific trainings for real estate funds, venture capital funds, private equity and SBA funds, hedge funds (& crypto), debt funds, and crowdfunding funds. These trainings cover most asset types.

Is legal included?

No, legal is not included in the course. This is designed as a DIY educational program that teaches you the fundamentals and framework for fund formation, but you'll need to work with qualified legal counsel for the actual legal documentation and compliance requirements. The academy prepares you to have more informed conversations with your attorneys and understand the process better.

Can I apply my credit to Black Card?

Yes, whatever you pay toward Fund Academy, we will credit toward Black Card if you join within 60 days. This makes the academy essentially risk-free if you decide to upgrade to our full-service offering. The Black Card program provides done-for-you fund formation services, so the academy serves as a perfect stepping stone to understand the process before potentially having our team handle the implementation.

Does this work for Canadian funds?

This is designed for funds launching in the US. The regulations, legal structures, and compliance requirements vary significantly between countries, so the content is specifically tailored to US fund formation rules and best practices. Canadian fund managers would need different guidance based on their local regulatory environment.

Are there templates included?

Yes, this will help you better understand what goes into an LPA (Limited Partnership Agreement) and PPM (Private Placement Memorandum). While we don't provide final legal documents, the templates and examples give you a clear understanding of the key components, terms, and structure of these critical fund documents. This knowledge helps you communicate more effectively with legal counsel and make informed decisions about your fund's structure.

Refund period?

30 days. We're confident in the value of the program, but we want you to feel completely comfortable with your investment. If the academy doesn't meet your expectations within the first month, you can request a full refund with no questions asked.

How long does the Fund Academy take to complete?

Some people have finished the academy in as little as one week, but others can take up to a few months depending on how fast or slow you want to go through it. Each video is 5-15 minutes long, making it easy to fit into your schedule, and you can track your progress as you move through the modules. The self-paced format allows you to spend more time on complex topics that are most relevant to your specific fund strategy while moving quickly through areas you already understand.

What experience level is required to join Fund Academy?

Fund Academy is designed for aspiring fund managers at all levels, from complete beginners to those with some investment experience who want to formalize their approach. Whether you're a financial advisor looking to launch your first fund, an entrepreneur wanting to raise capital, or an experienced investor seeking to understand the fund formation process, the curriculum starts with fundamentals and builds to advanced concepts. No prior fund management experience is required.

What type of funds does the academy cover?

The academy covers the most common fund structures including hedge funds, private equity funds, real estate funds, and venture capital funds. We focus on the core principles that apply across different fund types while highlighting key differences in structure, strategy, and regulatory requirements. The curriculum emphasizes practical applications so you can adapt the concepts to your specific investment focus.

Is there ongoing support after I complete the course?

Yes, you'll have access to our private community forum where you can ask questions, network with other fund managers, and get guidance on implementation challenges. Additionally, graduates receive periodic updates on regulatory changes and industry best practices. While we don't provide one-on-one consulting as part of the academy, you'll have the foundation to ask better questions when working with service providers.

What's the difference between Fund Academy and your Black Card service?

Fund Academy is an educational program that teaches you how to launch a fund yourself, while Black Card is our done-for-you service where we handle the entire fund formation process. Think of Academy as the "learn it yourself" option and Black Card as the "done for you" option. Many clients start with Academy to understand the process, then decide whether to implement on their own or upgrade to Black Card for full-service support.

How much capital do I need to have before starting a fund?

While there's no legal minimum to start a fund, we recommend having access to at least $1-2 million in initial commitments to make the fund economically viable. The academy covers capital raising strategies and helps you understand the realistic capital requirements for different fund types. We'll teach you how to assess whether you have sufficient network and capital access before moving forward with formation.

Can I access the content on mobile devices?

Absolutely. The academy platform is fully mobile-responsive, so you can watch videos and access materials on your phone, tablet, or computer. This makes it easy to learn during commutes, travel, or whenever you have spare time. Your progress syncs across all devices so you can seamlessly switch between platforms.

Do you cover capital raising and investor relations?

Yes, a significant portion of the academy focuses on fundraising strategies, investor communications, and ongoing investor relations. We cover everything from identifying potential investors and crafting compelling pitch materials to managing investor expectations and reporting requirements. You'll learn how to build and maintain strong investor relationships that lead to successful capital raises.

What ongoing costs should I expect after launching my fund?

The academy includes detailed breakdowns of typical fund operating expenses including legal, accounting, administration, compliance, and technology costs. We'll help you build realistic budgets and understand how fee structures work to ensure your fund is financially sustainable. This knowledge is crucial for proper fund planning and investor communications.

Is there a minimum commitment period I need to make?

Once you join, you have lifetime access to the academy content, so there's no minimum time commitment required. You can complete the program as quickly or slowly as fits your schedule. However, we do recommend dedicating consistent time each week to maintain momentum and properly absorb the material. Most successful participants spend 2-5 hours per week going through the content.

What if I decide launching a fund isn't right for me after taking the course?

That's actually one of the most valuable outcomes possible. The academy will give you a realistic understanding of what fund management entails, including the responsibilities, regulatory requirements, and ongoing commitments involved. If you determine that launching a fund isn't the right path for you, you'll have saved significant time and money compared to discovering this after starting the formation process. Plus, the knowledge you gain about fund structures and investment processes will be valuable in many other financial contexts.

Does this work for international folks?

Yes, international individuals can absolutely benefit from Fund Academy, but with important considerations. While the content focuses on US fund formation (which is often preferred globally due to established legal frameworks and investor familiarity), international fund managers frequently choose to establish US-based funds to access American investors and capital markets. However, you'll need to work with qualified legal and tax advisors who understand cross-border implications, including potential tax treaties, FATCA compliance, and your home country's regulations. The academy will give you the foundational knowledge to have informed discussions with international legal counsel about structuring your fund appropriately.

How many people have enrolled in the Fund Academy?

Over 5,200 members have enrolled in the Fund Academy.

The Fund Academy

Learn How to Launch a Fund without Wall Street Experience

30 day Money Back Guarantee

The Fund Academy

Learn How to Launch a Fund without Wall Street Experience

30 day Money Back Guarantee