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1Sharpe Capital is a full-spectrum institutional investment management firm founded in 2016 and based in San Francisco, California. The firm focuses on investing across the real estate and technology sectors, having deployed over $8 billion globally since its inception. The founders, Rob Bloemker and Gregor Watson, bring extensive backgrounds in finance and real estate, particularly in mortgage securitization and single-family rental markets.
As of now, 1Sharpe Capital manages approximately $2.3 billion in assets across various investment strategies. The firm has launched multiple funds, including a $90 million inaugural fund aimed at early-stage investments in proptech. 1Sharpe Capital operates primarily in North America and Europe, targeting a portfolio of 30 to 40 companies.
Notable milestones include the establishment of 1Sharpe Ventures in 2020, which specifically backs early-stage founders in real estate and financial technology. The firm has a strong commitment to identifying and investing in gaps in bank financing globally, unlocking value in fragmented segments of the real estate industry.
1Sharpe Capital invests in various sectors, including fintech, SaaS, credit, housing, and venture. The firm primarily targets early-stage investments, focusing on pre-seed, seed, and Series A rounds. Check sizes range from $500,000 to $2 million, allowing for significant support to emerging companies. The geographic focus is on North America and Europe, where the firm identifies opportunities to disrupt traditional markets.
The investment strategy emphasizes backing founders who combine novel technology with deep vertical expertise. 1Sharpe Capital aims to address the chronic underinvestment in real estate, construction, manufacturing, and financial services by providing capital and operational expertise. The firm looks for entrepreneurs who can navigate challenges and scale their businesses effectively, particularly in real estate and financial technology.
1Sharpe Capital has a diverse portfolio of 30 companies, with notable investments including:
This portfolio reflects 1Sharpe Capital's commitment to supporting innovative companies that address gaps in the real estate and financial technology sectors.
Rob Bloemker: Co-Founder and Chief Investment Officer. Bloemker has over 30 years of experience in fixed income and real estate. He co-founded Dwell Finance, which was sold to Blackstone, and previously served as Head of Fixed Income at Putnam, managing $60 billion in assets.
Gregor Watson: Co-Founder. Watson co-founded Roofstock, an online marketplace for single-family rental homes, facilitating approximately $3 billion in transactions. He has also co-founded Lessen and Azibo, focusing on residential real estate.
Ginny Miller: Partner. Miller led Ventures at Jamestown, a $12 billion real estate private equity firm. She has experience at Apple and Fifth Wall Ventures and holds an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Kathleen Collins: Partner. Collins has a background in proptech investment and consulting. She served as COO at Shelter Acquisition Corp and has experience with Metaprop and Fifth Wall.
Feng Wang: Director, Capital Markets and Venture. Wang was a founding executive at LendingHome and has worked with Cerberus and BlackRock in mortgage investment.
To pitch 1Sharpe Capital, founders should use the contact form available on their website at 1sharpe.ventures. It is recommended to include a concise executive summary, financial projections, and details on the team’s background. The firm prefers pitches that demonstrate a clear understanding of the market and the startup's unique position within it.
Response times may vary, but founders can generally expect feedback within a few weeks. Warm introductions are beneficial but not mandatory.
1Sharpe Ventures is a program established in 2020 that specifically backs early-stage founders in real estate and financial technology. This program aims to provide capital and operational expertise to startups looking to innovate in these sectors.
Eligibility for the program includes startups at the pre-seed, seed, or Series A stages, particularly those that demonstrate a clear understanding of the market and a unique value proposition. Interested founders can apply through the 1Sharpe Ventures website.
In May 2022, 1Sharpe Capital closed its inaugural fund of $90 million, aimed at early-stage investments in proptech. The firm has been actively investing since its inception, deploying over $8 billion across various sectors.
1Sharpe Ventures, a dedicated program for early-stage investments in real estate and fintech, was launched in 2020. This initiative reflects the firm's commitment to supporting innovative founders in these sectors.
As of April 2023, 1Sharpe Capital continues to explore new investment opportunities, focusing on companies that address gaps in bank financing and disrupt traditional markets.
What are 1Sharpe Capital's investment criteria?
1Sharpe Capital focuses on early-stage investments in fintech, SaaS, credit, and housing. They typically invest in pre-seed, seed, and Series A rounds, with check sizes ranging from $500,000 to $2 million.
How can I pitch to 1Sharpe Capital?
Founders can pitch their startups through the firm's website at 1sharpe.ventures. It is advisable to include a clear business model, market analysis, and how your startup addresses gaps in the market.
What makes 1Sharpe Capital different from other VCs?
The firm has a unique focus on real estate and financial technology, sectors that have historically been underinvested by venture capital. Their operational expertise and extensive network provide significant value to portfolio companies.
What is the geographic scope of 1Sharpe Capital's investments?
1Sharpe Capital primarily invests in North America and Europe, targeting markets where they can identify and unlock value in fragmented segments.
What kind of support do portfolio companies receive?
1Sharpe Capital provides operational expertise, access to capital, and strategic guidance to help portfolio companies navigate challenges and scale effectively.
What is the size of 1Sharpe Capital's funds?
The firm has an inaugural fund size of $90 million, with total assets under management exceeding $2.3 billion across various investment strategies.
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