
The MBA Fund
Description
The MBA Fund is a distinctive venture capital firm headquartered in Palo Alto, California, with a core mission to identify and back promising startups founded by students and alumni from top business schools across the United States. Established to bridge the gap between academic innovation and venture capital, the fund leverages an extensive network spanning institutions such as Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, and Columbia, providing a unique pipeline for deal flow and a robust support system for its portfolio companies. This model not only fuels entrepreneurship within academic communities but also offers invaluable hands-on experience for current MBA students involved in the fund's operations.
The firm primarily focuses on pre-seed and seed-stage investments, aiming to provide crucial early capital to nascent ventures. Their investment strategy is deeply rooted in the belief that founders emerging from these elite academic environments possess unique insights, strong networks, and the drive necessary to build impactful companies. The MBA Fund's commitment extends beyond financial backing; they actively support their portfolio companies with strategic guidance, mentorship, and access to their vast network of industry experts, potential customers, and future talent.
In 2021, The MBA Fund notably raised a $20 million fund, significantly bolstering its capacity to invest in a broader range of promising startups. This capital allows them to write initial checks typically ranging from $50,000 to $250,000, positioning them as a key early-stage investor for student and alumni-led ventures. To date, the fund has made over 100 investments, showcasing its active and consistent engagement within its niche. This track record underscores their dedication to fostering innovation and supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs emerging from leading MBA programs.
Investor Profile
The MBA Fund has backed more than 65 startups, with 6 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 0 rounds, about 0% of its total and boasts 4 exits across its portfolio.
Investment Focus Highlights
- Concentrates on Seed, Pre Seed, Series A rounds (top funding stages).
- Majority of deals are located in United States, Colombia, Kenya.
- Strong thematic focus on Software, Health Care, Information Technology.
- Typical check size: $50K – $250K.
Stage Focus
- Seed (51%)
- Pre Seed (38%)
- Series A (5%)
- Series B (3%)
- Series Unknown (3%)
Country Focus
- United States (88%)
- Colombia (2%)
- Kenya (2%)
- Ghana (2%)
- Brazil (2%)
- South Korea (2%)
- Thailand (2%)
- Mexico (2%)
Industry Focus
- Software
- Health Care
- Information Technology
- E-commerce
- Food And Beverage
- Artificial Intelligence (Ai)
- Fintech
- Internet
- Wellness
- Financial Services
Frequently Asked Questions
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