Moxxie Ventures Secures $95 Million for Third Fund Amidst Challenging Venture Capital Landscape

Despite the challenging venture capital fundraising environment, especially for emerging managers, Moxxie Ventures, a firm founded by former Twitter executive Katie Jacobs Stanton, successfully raised $95 million for its third fund. This achievement comes as a testament to the firm's strong track record and the confidence investors have in its ability to navigate the current market.

• Moxxie Ventures, founded in 2019, focuses on pre-seed and seed-stage startups.
• The firm's fundraising target was initially set at $85 million, but it ultimately surpassed that goal.
• Moxxie Ventures plans to deploy its capital in 2025.

Katie Jacobs Stanton's Expertise and Network Fuel Moxxie Ventures' Success

Katie Jacobs Stanton, a recognized figure in the tech world, played a pivotal role in Moxxie Ventures' fundraising success. Stanton's extensive network and previous success as an investor, notably through the investment collective #Angels, garnered significant trust from limited partners (LPs).

• Stanton co-founded #Angels with other female Twitter executives and alums, demonstrating her experience in backing successful startups like Carta, Coinbase, and Airtable.
• Moxxie Ventures' LPs include prominent names like fund-of-funds Cendana Capital, Accolade Partners, the Nature Conservancy, the outsourced CIO Global Endowment Management, and several universities.
• Cendana Capital's founder, Michael Kim, acknowledged Stanton's deep and wide network among seed-stage investors.

Moxxie Ventures' Focus on Underrepresented Founders and Emerging Technologies

Moxxie Ventures takes pride in its commitment to investing in underrepresented founders and its focus on emerging technologies.

• About a third of Moxxie's portfolio companies are led by female founders, and half are founded by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC).
• While the firm positions itself as a generalist investor, it displays a particular interest in health tech, climate tech, SaaS, and AI applications.
• Moxxie Ventures recently invested in robotics startups, including Jacobi Robotics, which develops AI-powered motion-planning technology.

Moxxie Ventures' Investment Strategy and Portfolio Performance

Moxxie Ventures adopts a strategic approach to its investments, targeting pre-seed and seed-stage startups with a median check size of $1.5 million. The firm aims to acquire roughly 10% ownership in each company it invests in.

• While Moxxie Ventures has yet to realize significant exits from its portfolio, its investment in companies like Certn (identity verification) and Spellbook (AI co-pilot for legal contracts) demonstrates its portfolio's potential.
• Certn raised an $80 million Series B in 2023, and Spellbook secured a $20 million Series A led by Innovia in January 2024.

Venture Capital Fundraising Challenges and Moxxie Ventures' Resilience

The current venture capital landscape is characterized by a challenging fundraising environment, particularly for emerging managers, as investors become more selective and cautious with their investments.

• Moxxie Ventures' successful fundraising, despite the challenges, highlights its unique value proposition and its ability to attract investors.
• The firm's commitment to investing in underrepresented founders and promising emerging technologies seems to be resonating with LPs.

Katie Jacobs Stanton's Advocacy for Political Transparency in Venture Capital

Katie Jacobs Stanton has been vocal about the importance of political transparency in the venture capital industry, particularly in the context of the 2024 US presidential election.

• Stanton believes that investors should be open about their political preferences, arguing that such transparency can help founders make informed decisions about who they choose as their backers.
• Stanton's stance underscores the evolving relationship between venture capital and political influence, and its potential impact on the startup ecosystem.

Moxxie Ventures' Future: Continued Growth and Impact in the Venture Capital Landscape

Moxxie Ventures' successful fundraising and its focus on underrepresented founders and emerging technologies suggest a promising future for the firm.

• Moxxie Ventures is poised to play a significant role in the venture capital landscape, contributing to the growth of innovative startups and fostering a more inclusive startup ecosystem.
• The firm's commitment to investing in promising companies with high-potential growth and its dedication to supporting underrepresented founders make it a noteworthy player in the tech investment landscape.