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VU Venture Partners, founded in 2018, operates from its headquarters in San Francisco, United States, and has additional offices in Hong Kong, Munich, Burgas, and São Paulo. The firm integrates a venture capital fund, private equity fund, and a Venture University accelerator, creating a comprehensive investment platform. The team consists of 70 professionals with over 45 years of combined venture capital experience, showcasing a strong commitment to identifying and nurturing high-potential startups.
VU Venture Partners has a selective investment approach, reviewing approximately 20,000 deals annually, with a selectivity rate of around 0.1%. The firm has successfully invested in over 112 companies, including four unicorns such as Tyme and Figure, and has completed six acquisitions. The firm’s notable milestones include a historical internal rate of return (IRR) of 72%, surpassing the 68% IRR of top decile funds from 2018.
The investment strategy of VU Venture Partners encompasses a diverse range of sectors, including consumer, fintech, healthcare, frontier technologies, proptech, and web3. The firm targets early-stage investments from pre-seed to Series B, with initial check sizes ranging from $100,000 to $1 million. Follow-on investments can reach up to $10 million, allowing VU to support portfolio companies throughout their growth journey.
VU Venture Partners aims for substantial returns, targeting companies with a serviceable addressable market (SAM) exceeding $10 billion and return potentials of 25x to 100x. The firm’s investment model is structured around six vertical teams, each focusing on specific sectors, and it aims to make 2-5 new investments quarterly, maintaining a consistent deal flow of approximately 40 deals per year.
VU Venture Partners boasts a diverse portfolio of over 112 companies across various sectors. Notable portfolio companies include:
Recent investments include participation in the Series A round for Natilus in February 2026.
J. Skyler Fernandes: Co-Founder & General Partner - Global. He has extensive experience in venture capital and has been involved in numerous successful investments.
Andrew Zalasin: General Partner - North America, Europe, & LatAm. He brings a wealth of knowledge in managing investments across multiple regions.
Aakash Jain: Partner - North America, Europe, & LatAm. His expertise lies in identifying high-potential startups and guiding them through their growth phases.
To pitch to VU Venture Partners, founders should visit the [Pitch](https://www.vuventurepartners.com/pitch) page. The pitch deck should include a clear overview of the business model, market opportunity, and financial projections. Founders are encouraged to provide detailed information about their team and any traction achieved to date. Response times may vary, but interested parties should expect to hear back within a few weeks.
VU Venture Partners operates several funds, including:
As of February 10, 2026, VU Venture Partners participated in the Series A investment round for Natilus, further expanding its portfolio. The firm continues to maintain a strong investment pace, averaging around 40 deals per year.
Q?
What are the investment criteria for VU Venture Partners?
VU Venture Partners focuses on early-stage technology investments across sectors such as consumer, fintech, healthcare, and more, targeting companies with a serviceable addressable market (SAM) of over $10 billion.
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How can startups apply or pitch to VU Venture Partners?
Startups can pitch by visiting the [Pitch](https://www.vuventurepartners.com/pitch) page or contacting via email at s@vufund.vc for investment inquiries.
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What makes VU Venture Partners different from other VC firms?
VU Venture Partners combines venture capital, private equity, and an accelerator program, providing a comprehensive support system for portfolio companies.
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What is the geographic scope of VU Venture Partners?
The firm operates globally, with investment teams active across North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia-Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East.
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What is the typical check size for investments?
VU Venture Partners typically invests between $100,000 and $1 million in initial investments, with follow-on investments reaching up to $10 million.
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