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Dorm Room Fund (DRF) is a student-run venture capital fund established in 2012 by Josh Kopelman, the founder of First Round Capital. Initially part of First Round Capital, DRF became an independent entity in 2022, raising $12.5 million for its Fund IV. The organization is headquartered in Boston, with additional teams located in San Francisco, New York City, and Philadelphia. DRF focuses on supporting student founders in building their companies, emphasizing diversity, equity, and inclusion within the startup ecosystem.
As of now, Dorm Room Fund manages a total of $13 million in assets and has invested in over 330 companies, including four unicorns. The fund's unique structure allows student-led investment decisions, ensuring that at least one founder of each portfolio company is a student or recent graduate. This approach not only empowers the next generation of venture capitalists but also fosters a strong network of mentorship and support for emerging entrepreneurs.
Dorm Room Fund specializes in pre-seed and seed investments, providing check sizes ranging from $40,000 to $250,000. The fund primarily targets startups founded by students and recent graduates across various sectors, including consumer, healthcare, retail-tech, SaaS, and vertical SaaS. DRF's investment strategy typically aims for approximately 1.3% equity ownership in its portfolio companies.
The fund is geographically focused on the United States, Brazil, Canada, and India, reflecting its commitment to supporting diverse founders. DRF emphasizes mentorship and community engagement, with specific initiatives designed to uplift underrepresented groups in entrepreneurship. This focus on diversity is integral to their investment thesis, which seeks to back student-founded startups with capital, mentorship, and a robust network of investors.
Dorm Room Fund boasts a diverse portfolio of over 330 companies, including notable successes and emerging startups. The portfolio features:
Overall, the portfolio has collectively raised over $300 million from top venture capital firms, showcasing the fund's ability to attract significant follow-on investments.
Madi Jacox: Principal with experience in venture capital and startup growth.
Molly Fowler: General Partner, previously involved in multiple successful investments.
Saras Agrawal: Investment Partner with expertise in technology startups.
Charlie Aschkenasy: Investment Partner focused on early-stage ventures.
Jayden Bai: Investment Partner with a background in entrepreneurship.
Tathagata Baya: Investment Partner specializing in healthtech.
Anchal Bhardwaj: Investment Partner with a focus on consumer products.
Aashrith Chejerla: Investment Partner experienced in SaaS investments.
Jo Cheng: Investment Partner with a strong network in the startup community.
Charlotte Chiang: Investment Partner focused on retail technology.
Anjali Dhupam: Investment Partner with a background in data analytics.
Kyle Dolce: Investment Partner specializing in logistics and delivery services.
Annie Dong: Investment Partner with experience in defense technology.
Vishal Dubey: Investment Partner focused on AI and technology solutions.
To pitch Dorm Room Fund, founders should submit their proposals through the application portal at join.dormroomfund.com. The pitch deck should include a clear overview of the business model, market opportunity, and team background. Founders can expect a response within a few weeks, and warm introductions are encouraged but not mandatory.
Dorm Room Fund runs several programs aimed at supporting diversity and fostering the next generation of entrepreneurs and investors. These include:
On March 1, 2025, Dorm Room Fund made its latest investment, continuing its commitment to supporting student-led startups. Over the past year, the fund has actively invested in two new companies, further expanding its portfolio of innovative ventures.
Q? What are Dorm Room Fund's investment criteria?
A Dorm Room Fund invests in early-stage companies led by student founders, focusing on pre-seed and seed stages with check sizes ranging from $40,000 to $250,000.
Q? How can startups apply for funding from Dorm Room Fund?
A Startups can apply for funding through the application portal available on their website at join.dormroomfund.com.
Q? What makes Dorm Room Fund different from other venture capital firms?
A Dorm Room Fund is unique due to its student-led investment decisions and focus on supporting underrepresented founders, providing mentorship and a strong network for portfolio companies.
Q? What is the geographic scope of Dorm Room Fund's investments?
A The fund primarily invests in the United States, Brazil, Canada, and India, targeting student-led startups in these regions.
Q? What is the typical check size for investments?
A Dorm Room Fund typically provides check sizes ranging from $40,000 to $250,000 for its investments.
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