Webinar
Purple Arch Ventures Performance Update
Watch an on-demand presentation from the Purple Arch Ventures team on Purple Arch Ventures. During this presentation, we will be spotlighting the funds’ performance, reviewing the portfolio, and sharing exciting news for Fund 8. There will be time for open questions and discussion during the call.
See video policy below.
Post Webinar Summary
David Beazley, Managing Partner of Purple Arch Ventures, and Lucas, Senior Principal, presented an overview of their investment strategy and the current state of their venture funds. They emphasized the fund’s strong performance, noting a nearly 16% net IRR since 2017, significantly outpacing major stock indices. They discussed the challenges of recent market conditions, including lower valuations and fewer exits, which have impacted returns but also created opportunities for new investments at favorable valuations. The presentation highlighted the firm’s focus on diversification, both in terms of industry and geography, and the unique advantage of being part of the Alumni Ventures network, which provides access to a broad range of deals and collaborative opportunities. They also showcased several promising investments, emphasizing their commitment to building a strong, diverse portfolio that aligns with the long-term growth potential in venture capital.
During this session, we discuss:
- HomeThe goal and structure of the fund
- HomeThe value of the Alumni Ventures model
- HomeSome examples of current portfolio companies
- HomeThe benefits of investing in venture capital
- HomeThe minimum requirements needed to invest in the fund
- HomeThere will be time for open questions and discussion during the call
Note: You must be accredited to invest in venture capital. Important disclosure information can be found at av-funds.com/disclosures.
About your presenters
David has played a leading role in many aspects of the VC investment cycle: structuring transactions as a fundless sponsor, improving operations as a consultant, leading management teams as a CEO, evaluating opportunities as an investor and advisor, and selling companies as a licensed business broker. Previously, he founded Synergy Financial, a private capital and consulting firm for entrepreneurs, PE professionals, and family offices. He started his investment career as a professional advisor managing millions in assets. David has undergraduate and graduate degrees from Northwestern and played for the two-time Big Ten Championship Northwestern Wildcats Football Team. He serves on the NUvention and Kellogg Entrepreneurial Center Advisory Boards.
Principal, Purple Arch Ventures
Lucas brings an operator’s perspective to Venture Capital, having led teams at fast-growing startups in digital health, proptech, and retail. Most recently, he led BizOps at LetsGetChecked, an at-home lab diagnostics company that helps people detect conditions early and live longer lives. Lucas earned his MBA from Kellogg, where he focused on entrepreneurship and venture. During that time, he founded a marketplace for esports viewing events called FanHome, culminating in a first-place victory in The Garage’s summer accelerator demo day. Complementing that experience, Lucas worked part-time while in business school as an investment associate at MATH Venture Partners, where he focused on evaluating early-stage SaaS investments and developed a passion for venture. Prior to business school, Lucas cut his teeth in investment banking at KeyBanc Capital Markets, as well as on the strategy team at Trunk Club. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan.
Partner, Purple Arch Ventures
Mike, an accomplished venture capitalist and operator with over a decade of industry experience, brings a wealth of expertise to Alumni Ventures. Before joining AV as a Partner, he held a Lead Director role at CVS Health Ventures, where he focused on investments in early and growth-stage digital health companies and played a key role in shaping the firm’s portfolio management strategy. Prior to this, Mike served as a Partner at Distributed Ventures, an early-stage fund with a strong thematic emphasis on digital health, insuretech, and fintech sectors. His journey in the industry began with leadership in product and analytics at Yaro Health, a venture-incubated company that achieved a successful acquisition. Throughout his career, Mike has assumed pivotal roles in strategy, early-stage startups, and data science, shaping his comprehensive understanding of the venture landscape. Mike holds a Masters of Science in Applied Data Science from the University of Chicago, along with graduate and undergraduate degrees from DePaul University and the University of Iowa, respectively.