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Papa Bear Ventures is a hybrid venture fund and investment group founded by Josh Futterman to support early-stage ventures. Established in the United States, the firm aims to create a community of founders and investors, emphasizing inclusivity and collaboration. Futterman, a seasoned entrepreneur and mentor, has a track record of guiding startups through their growth phases.
The firm operates primarily in the United Kingdom and the United States, focusing on capital-efficient startups across various sectors. Although specific quantitative data regarding fund size and team count is not disclosed, Papa Bear Ventures is known for its active involvement in the startup community. The firm has made notable investments in companies like GameOn, which successfully went public, showcasing its commitment to nurturing impactful ventures.
Papa Bear Ventures invests in early-stage companies, particularly in the sectors of SaaS, fintech, healthcare, consumer, and commerce. The firm primarily targets capital-efficient B2B software and tech-enabled services, seeking to support startups that demonstrate a clear pathway to scale. Check sizes range from $25,000 to $100,000, typically into rounds of $750,000 to $2 million, with maximum valuations around $10 million.
The investment strategy emphasizes building an inclusive community for both founders and investors. Papa Bear Ventures looks for startups with a launched product, modest revenue, and a strong initial team. The firm prefers companies that have completed a friends-and-family round and are generating between $15,000 and $30,000 in monthly revenue. Additionally, the firm aims to ensure that at least 30% of its portfolio companies include one or more underserved minority or female founders.
Papa Bear Ventures has made several notable investments, including:
These companies reflect the firm's commitment to supporting innovative startups across various sectors, particularly those that align with its investment thesis.
Josh Futterman - Founder / Managing GP: Josh is a five-time founder and has mentored over 250 entrepreneurs over the past 15 years. He established Papa Bear Ventures to combine capital investment with mentorship, focusing on early seed stage companies. His extensive experience in the startup ecosystem positions him as a valuable resource for portfolio companies.
To pitch to Papa Bear Ventures, founders should visit their pitch page at papabear.vc/founders. The firm does not specify a preferred email for pitches, and there is no formal application form mentioned. The pitch process is rolling, and while specific response times are not disclosed, founders should be prepared for a thorough evaluation of their business.
As of 2023, Papa Bear Ventures has made several recent investments, including Mavity and Otis AI. The firm continues to focus on building an inclusive community for founders and investors, with an emphasis on capital-efficient startups. Notably, GameOn, a previous investment, became publicly traded, highlighting the firm's successful track record in supporting early-stage ventures.
What are Papa Bear Ventures' investment criteria?
Papa Bear Ventures focuses on early-stage companies, particularly those in the B2B software and tech-enabled services sectors. They prefer startups with a launched product, modest revenue, and a strong initial team. Companies should ideally have completed a friends-and-family round and be generating between $15,000 and $30,000 in monthly revenue.
How can I pitch to Papa Bear Ventures?
Founders can pitch to Papa Bear Ventures through their website at papabear.vc/founders. The firm maintains an open pitch policy, and while specific email contacts are not disclosed, the website provides guidance on how to approach them.
What makes Papa Bear Ventures different from other investors?
Papa Bear Ventures emphasizes building an inclusive community for both founders and investors. The firm combines capital investment with active mentorship, helping startups navigate early-stage growth challenges and prepare for subsequent funding rounds.
What is the geographic focus of Papa Bear Ventures?
The firm primarily operates in the United States and the United Kingdom, but it also considers opportunities in Canada and Singapore.
What is the typical check size for investments?
Papa Bear Ventures typically invests between $25,000 and $100,000 in early-stage rounds, which generally range from $750,000 to $2 million.
What types of businesses does Papa Bear Ventures avoid?
The firm generally avoids investments in blockchain-related businesses, HR/recruitment tech, music tech, hard deep tech, biotech, and pure consumer software.
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