Karlani Capital

Karlani Capital, based in Brooklyn, New York, operates as a distinctive "operating fund" with a mandate to build, buy, and invest in fast-growing technology companies. Unlike traditional venture capital firms, Karlani Capital emphasizes active participation in the growth of its portfolio companies, providing strategic guidance, operational support, and leveraging an extensive network. This hands-on approach is central to their investment philosophy, aiming to not just fund but also actively shape the development of their ventures. The firm primarily targets early-stage technology companies, demonstrating a particular interest in sectors such as Fintech, Media, SaaS, Artificial Intelligence, and Blockchain.

The fund's investment strategy is characterized by its dual role as both an investor and a builder. This means Karlani Capital may initiate and incubate companies internally, providing initial capital and resources, or invest in external startups that align with their mission to "serve and enrich humanity." Their portfolio, as tracked on platforms like Crunchbase, indicates a focused approach with approximately 12 investments to date. Notable portfolio companies include The Plug and The Block, both of which secured seed funding rounds, with one such round reaching $2.4 million in 2021, where Karlani Capital participated as an investor.

While Karlani Capital does not publicly disclose its typical check sizes, its focus on early-stage technology companies and participation in seed rounds suggests a specific investment range. Based on their involvement in seed rounds for companies like The Plug, it is estimated that their typical first checks for external investments generally fall within the range of $250,000 to $1,500,000. This range reflects their role as a significant early-stage investor, capable of providing substantial initial capital to promising ventures. Their unique operating model allows for flexibility, potentially enabling smaller initial commitments for internally-built projects or larger checks when leading or co-leading external seed rounds.