D. E. Shaw & Co.

D. E. Shaw & Co. is a prominent global investment and technology development firm, founded by David E. Shaw in 1988. Widely recognized as a pioneer and leader in quantitative finance, the firm employs sophisticated mathematical models and computational techniques to manage a diverse portfolio across various asset classes, including equities, fixed income, commodities, and derivatives. As of late 2023, the firm reportedly managed approximately $60 billion in aggregate capital, making it one of the largest and most influential hedge funds globally.

While D. E. Shaw & Co. does engage in private investments, these activities are generally focused on late-stage private equity, distressed situations, and special opportunities rather than initial seed or Series A venture capital funding for nascent startups. Their approach in the private markets is more akin to growth equity or pre-IPO investments in mature companies, or direct investments into established businesses that align with their broader investment strategies.

Given its primary identity as a quantitative hedge fund and its focus on public markets and later-stage private investments, D. E. Shaw & Co. does not operate as a traditional venture capital firm making initial investments in early-stage startups. The firm employs over 1,800 people globally, reflecting its significant operational scale and technological depth. Consequently, information regarding typical "min_check_size" and "max_check_size" for venture capital first cheques is not applicable or publicly available for this investor type.