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Nominations: Nominations closed

Voting: Voting closed

Vacancies
1
Results

Winner(s)

Re-open nominations is a winner
No
Count information
Date count run30 May 2025
Election rulesERS97 STV
Candidates running4
Available position1
Total ballots8
Valid votes8
Invalid votes0
Round 1
Arkh Rishi Goyal [26229]1.00
Aakanksha Som [26427]5.00
Cristina Dario [26441]2.00
RON (Re-open Nominations)0.00
Exhausted0.00
Surplus1.00
Threshold4.00
Count of first choices. The initial quota is 4.00. Candidate Aakanksha Som [26427] has reached the threshold and is elected.

Winner is Aakanksha Som [26427].

Candidates

Cristina Dario

Dear Members,

My name is Cristina, and I am running for the position of VC Fund Director. 

The VC Fund supports student founders at the earliest stages by allowing them to pitch their ideas, take meaningful risks, and start building. I am inspired by the creativity and ambition of UCL students, and I want the fund to become a space where bold ideas are recognised, supported, and developed.

Through past roles in the UCL FinTech and Economics & Finance Societies, I led Instagram campaigns that reached over 26,000 views and helped organise recruitment events attended by  210+ students. I also gained commercial insight through Spring Insights at Goldman Sachs and LCP, where I developed an understanding of how investors assess business models, identify early-stage risks, and evaluate growth potential. I plan to apply these experiences to support student founders in turning ideas into viable ventures.

My Agenda:

  • Wider Reach - Promote the fund across departments and simplify the application process to encourage more diverse submissions.
  • Guided Process - Support applicants with pitch preparation and help shortlisted teams refine their ideas into investment-ready proposals.
  • Top Judges - Organise a high-impact pitch competition and secure respected founders and investors through active outreach and networking.
  • Build What Lasts - Connect teams with mentors, alumni, and startup communities to ensure growth continues after the competition ends.

Thank you for your time and consideration!

Arkh Rishi Goyal
Aakanksha Som

Having already served as the Director of the VC Fund over the past year, I’ve worked closely with startups and our community to drive real impact. From managing our flagship competition, to supporting founders at every stage, I’ve seen first-hand what our members need to succeed. 

My vision is to grow the society by securing more corporate sponsorships and funding opportunities. I’ll leverage my network, including connections at top VCs like Octopus, Albion and Fuel Ventures, allowing us to invest more in student startups and elevate our workshops and talks. 

I also plan to host renowned speakers from leading firms like Sequoia Capital, with a focus on cutting-edge industries such as fintech, AI and Web3. These events will provide practical insights and connections to help our members navigate the entrepreneurial landscape. Building a strong, connected community is at the heart of my mission, so I will introduce a year-end alumni social, where current students can network with successful UCL entrepreneurs and VCs in a relaxed, informal setting. Alongside this, I plan to introduce speed networking events every term to help members find their perfect co-founder, because great ideas are often born from great partnerships.

I am committed to nurturing an inclusive environment where every idea, no matter how big or small, has the chance to succeed. Whether you’re a first-time founder or a seasoned entrepreneur, our VC Fund will be a place where you feel supported and empowered.