Meridian Ventures Launches $35 Million Fund for MBA-Deferred Founders
Updated
Updated · TechCrunch · May 15
Meridian Ventures Launches $35 Million Fund for MBA-Deferred Founders
4 articles · Updated · TechCrunch · May 15
$35 million will fund U.S. pre-seed and seed startups led by MBA-deferred founders, with Meridian Ventures targeting enterprise technology across fintech, logistics, healthcare and AI.
$500,000 pre-seed checks and $750,000 seed checks are planned, with the capital set to be deployed over the next three years.
Devon Gethers and Karlton Haney built the strategy around a contrarian bet that MBA-deferred candidates can become strong startup founders despite Silicon Valley skepticism toward MBAs.
The pair tested that thesis with a $2.5 million proof-of-concept vehicle that backed 45 companies before raising the oversubscribed institutional fund from banks, family offices and Fortune 500 executives.
As employers favor skills over degrees, is a fund backing MBA founders betting against the future of work?
With AI valuations soaring, how can new funds avoid the 'gross retention apocalypse' threatening tech startups?
Can an old-school tactic like cold-calling still unlock millions in venture capital in a digital-first world?