Leading the Charge: AV Recognized Among Top Investors in U.S. Critical Tech
Crunchbase ranks AV among top VCs in growing strategic sector.
Alumni Venture’s inclusion among the top VCs on this year’s Crunchbase Top Defense Tech Investors list highlights its sustained commitment to the sector.
AV has long believed that investing in critical technologies — such as those driving energy leadership, space dominance, and digital pre-eminence — is vital to securing a bright future for the United States. We also see tremendous venture capital opportunities in these sectors.
While many venture funds are now “leaning in” to areas like defense technology, this has been a focus for us at Alumni Ventures for some time. We are proud to be recognized alongside a select group of early investors who have consistently supported America’s national capabilities. This group includes respected firms such as General Catalyst, Founders Fund, Silent Ventures, 8VC, and Andreessen Horowitz.
Each of the funds recognized by Crunchbase has been outspoken in their commitment to U.S. critical tech. For example,
- General Catalyst follows a “Global Resilience” thesis, prioritizing technologies that enhance global security.
- Andreessen Horowitz promotes its “American Dynamism” thesis, focusing on companies that strengthen and advance U.S. interests.
At Alumni Ventures, our approach has been quiet but equally determined. Through our U.S. Strategic Tech community and fund, we have steadfastly supported technologies crucial to U.S. national interests.
AV has long believed that investing in critical technologies — such as those driving energy leadership, space dominance, and digital pre-eminence — is vital to securing a bright future for the United States. We also see tremendous venture capital opportunities in these sectors.”
Most Active Investors in Defense Tech Since 2021
Alumni Ventures is honored to be recognized by Crunchbase as a leader in national security investing.
Learn About the Strategic Tech Fund & Newest Investments
Join us on Sept. 17, 2024, at 3 p.m. for a live presentation hosted by U.S. Strategic Tech Fund Team — Managing Partner Laura Rippy, Partner Pete Mathias, and Senior Associate Drew Wandzilak — to learn more about the fund. The team will spotlight the fund’s performance, review the portfolio, and share exciting updates.
To register or learn more, click here or on the button below.
Call to Action
If You Care About National Security Tech, Reach Out
We’re doubling down on National Security tech innovation by launching a dedicated U.S. Strategic Tech Fund. If interested, we recommend securing a spot now. This is your opportunity to invest in technologies vital to U.S. national interests in a portfolio of ~15-20 venture investments made over ~12-18 months — diversified by stage, sector, and geography.
Learn More About the U.S. Strategic Tech Fund
We are seeing strong interest in our U.S. Strategic Tech Fund. If interested, we recommend securing a spot promptly.
Invest in technologies vital to U.S. national interests in a portfolio of ~15-20 venture investments made over ~12-18 months — diversified by stage, sector, geography, lead investor.
Max Accredited Investor Limit: 249
Meet the U.S. Strategic Tech Team
Laura Bordewieck Rippy
Managing Partner, U.S. Strategic Tech FundLaura is also Managing Partner of Green D Ventures, Yard Ventures, and the Women’s Fund, as well as an Alumni Ventures’ Board member. Laura brings operational perspective as a CEO, Chairman, and executive in technology startups in addition to investing experience. As Managing Partner at Ripplecreek Partners’ technology practice and General Partner at FA Technology Ventures, she worked various tech sectors: mobile, consumer, internet, SaaS, cloud-based, marketing, and enterprise software across many economic cycles. She also served as CEO at Handango, creating the first marketplace of mobile apps. At Microsoft, she co-founded two businesses as an intra-preneur in an elite swat team spun out of Bill Gates’ office. Laura holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and AB in Government from Dartmouth (’89).
Pete Mathias
Partner, U.S. Strategic Tech FundAlumni Ventures' U.S. Strategic Tech Fund is led by Partner Pete Mathias, personally ranked by Business Insider as a Top Defense VC to Watch. Pete joined Alumni Ventures from the $1.5B+ venture capital arm of Bertelsmann, where he was a Senior Director across the European Union, China, and U.S startup ecosystems. Previously a fellow at .406 Ventures and alumnus of the Harvard Innovation Lab, Pete has substantial entrepreneurial and startup operating background. He has an MBA from the Tuck School at Dartmouth, an MPA from Harvard’s Kennedy School, a Master’s with Distinction from Oxford, and a BA (magna cum laude) from Dartmouth. He has recently been selected as a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Pete has a creative core as drummer for the indie rock band Filligar, which has been designated as “Cultural Ambassador” by the U.S. Department of State. He is an avid skier, marathon runner, and ice hockey player.
Drew Wandzilak
Senior Associate, US Strategic Tech FundDrew has worked in high-growth industries as both an investor and operator, focusing on how people and technology interact within organizations. His venture experience began at AV’s Seed Fund, identifying and supporting early stage founders across a variety of industries. This experience led him to join Holistic Industries, a leading private multi-state operator of cannabis cultivation facilities and dispensaries, where he focused on business intelligence, corporate development, and M&A. Prior to rejoining AV, he worked with the founding team of Mirage, an NFT marketplace and view layer for augmented reality assets. Drew has a BS from Northwestern University in Education and Social Policy with concentrations in Learning & Organizational Change and Entrepreneurship. He is also an ambassador of Northwestern’s Farley Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and a member of Chicago Inno’s 25 under 25.
This communication is neither an offer to sell, nor a solicitation of an offer to purchase, any security or other investment. Such offers are made only made pursuant to formal offering documents that describe the risks (which are significant), terms and other important information that must be considered before an investment decision is made. Past performance does not guarantee future results. For additional information, please see here.