First Close Partners

First Close Partners

Venture Capital and Private Equity Principals

New York, NY 1,656 followers

First Close Partners backs venture funds owned by underrepresented managers.

About us

First Close Partners backs venture funds owned by underrepresented managers (“URMs”) -- especially to help them get to a “first close.”  We invest in venture capital firms owned and operated by URMs who are people of color, women, LGBTQIA+, Indigenous people, people with disabilities, and members of other groups that have been historically underrepresented, especially (but not solely) in the venture capital industry.

Industry
Venture Capital and Private Equity Principals
Company size
2-10 employees
Headquarters
New York, NY
Type
Partnership
Founded
2020

Locations

Employees at First Close Partners

Updates

  • First Close Partners reposted this

    View profile for Carolina Huaranca Mendoza, graphic

    General Partner, First Close Partners, Kauffman Fellow Class 28

    LP Tip: #16 of #50: Less is more when it comes to executing on Fund I. ➡️ This post is aimed at those without any prior investing experience at an institutional venture fund. A common mistake first time managers often make is trying to do a lot in their first fund. I expect that the first fund will be small so you have limited resources and must be laser focused on doing a few things well. Do you genuinely think it is possible to prove out access, picking, ownership, managing reserves, brand building, etc. to LPs in Fund I? In my experience I think that is very hard to accomplish. There are probably two or even three things that one has an opportunity to prove out. My expectation is that the first fund will be a prototype or a Minimum Viable Product (MVP). Similar to building a startup the manager/s will go in with hypotheses they are trying to validate and then gather feedback to make minor iterations on the future product which in this case is Fund II. ➡️ What  are you trying to prove in fund I? Tomorrow, I will share more on how I think about access.

  • First Close Partners reposted this

    View profile for Carolina Huaranca Mendoza, graphic

    General Partner, First Close Partners, Kauffman Fellow Class 28

    LP Tip #18 out of #50: Build a firm not a fund. I always like to ask a fund manager about their vision for their firm. What do they want to build? What does a Fund II or Fund II look like? I recognize none of us have a crystal ball but I want to know that you have given this some thought and that you have a plan to scale.

  • We at First Close Partners are humbled and energized to receive the National Venture Capital Association and Venture Forward's #DEI Impact Award. We are anchored in our unwavering belief that underrepresented venture fund managers can provide top returns, and we look forward to sharing that data in the years to come. If you believe the same, please join us in investing more $ in underrepresented managers worldwide. Profound thanks to our founding Investment Committee, who have been here from the start: Regina Benjamin, MD, MBA, Theresia Gouw, Josh Kopelman, Carolina Huaranca Mendoza, Annika Sten Pärson, Pär-Jörgen Pärson, Betsy Zimmerman and Ed Zimmerman.

    🥁 It’s time for a big drum roll… we are excited to announce First Close Partners as the recipient of NVCA’s 2024 #DEI Impact Award! This award, chosen in collaboration with Venture Forward, recognizes an individual, organization, or firm who has made a significant impact toward advancing a more #diverse, #equitable, and #inclusive (#DEI) #venture ecosystem.    First Close Partners has established itself as an important community and capital source to underrepresented managers. It has made LP commitments to over 100 VC funds, as part of its investment thesis that both seasoned and emerging underrepresented managers have the potential to deliver outsize returns.   First Close Partner’s industry leadership, as well as its support of Venture Forward programs, exemplifies the spirit of the DEI Impact Award, and we are proud to recognize its efforts in driving positive change within the industry. 🤲   Register now to help honor First Close Partners for its role in creating a more inclusive VC ecosystem. ⬇   https://lnkd.in/gRBbtR6d   #VCAwards #diversity #leadership

    2024 NVCA Annual Leadership Gala and Awards Ceremony - National Venture Capital Association - NVCA

    2024 NVCA Annual Leadership Gala and Awards Ceremony - National Venture Capital Association - NVCA

    nvca.org

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