Fundraising Fox
Van Wickle Ventures
Venture capitalProvidence · Pre-Seed–Seed
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Investment thesis
Van Wickle Ventures backs entrepreneurs connected to Brown University, believing that Brown's holistic education produces divergent, empathetic thinkers who build successful companies. The fund invests small checks from Brown's endowment into startups founded by Brown students, alumni, and professors. Companies are sourced and diligenced by student associates, who prepare memos presented to an investment committee of experienced alumni VCs. As an evergreen fund, all returns are reinvested, keeping VWV a permanent supporter of the university's entrepreneurial ecosystem. The fund also trains the next generation of venture investors through a credited academic program.
Source: firm website, verified Sep 20, 2026.
What they invest in
from 4 of 15 portfolio companiesConsumer ×3Direct to Consumer ×2FoodTech ×2Wellness & Fitness ×2AI & Machine Learning ×1Digital Health ×1Healthtech ×1Sports Tech ×1
HQs:United States×3
Investments · 15 tracked
founders shown can be your intro path305 Fitness offers dance-based cardio workout classes, available in-studio and through an at-home program, with a franchise option for operators.
ConsumerSports TechWellness & FitnessNew York, US
Sadie Kurzban(Director, Chief Executive Officer and President)Samuel Karshenboym(Director and Chief Operating Officer)Benjamin Kurzban(Director, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer)
BoardIra Kurzban(Director and Vice President)
Co-investorsNew Ground VenturesSand Hill AngelsSWAT Equity PartnersRiverPark Ventures
Best Day Brewing produces non-alcoholic craft beers in various styles, including a seasonal Oktoberfest-style amber festbier.
ConsumerDirect to ConsumerFoodTechSausalito, US
Tate Huffard(Founder)inRichard A. Pascucci Jr.(Executive Officer, Director)Michael Sheehan(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardDavid Cooper(Director)Joshua Sampson(Director)John O'Brien(Director)
Ghia makes a non-alcoholic apéritif spirits drink designed as a modern alternative to traditional cocktails and aperitivo culture.
ConsumerDirect to ConsumerFoodTechWellness & Fitness
Mélanie(Founder + CEO)
Co-investorsCleo CapitalConvivialité VenturesPalm Tree Crew InvestmentsReshape
Lexi provides AI-powered, HIPAA-compliant medical interpretation that translates between patients and care teams in real time, supporting both common and underserved languages such as Haitian Creole.
AI & Machine LearningDigital HealthHealthtechCambridge, US
Siddharth UR(Founder)in
Co-investorsAlumni VenturesHBS Alumni AngelsInformed Ventures Advisors, Llc
Other
Tracked investments with no reachable website or further public details — typically companies that wound down, renamed, or were absorbed.
ApprentaFishwifeLgndMedicircleMindedNutrimedyOtisProjectorQuilttTakeawaymd
Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companiesLexi · finance.yahoo.com · Feb 17, 2026
Frequently asked questions
- How many investments has Van Wickle Ventures made?
- Van Wickle Ventures has 15 tracked investments, including 1 dated in the last 24 months.
- What stage does Van Wickle Ventures invest at?
- Van Wickle Ventures invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed stages.
- What is Van Wickle Ventures's typical check size?
- Van Wickle Ventures typically writes checks of $25K – $50K.
- What sectors does Van Wickle Ventures focus on?
- Van Wickle Ventures focuses on Sector Agnostic.
- Where is Van Wickle Ventures located?
- Van Wickle Ventures is headquartered in Providence, US.
- Who does Van Wickle Ventures co-invest with?
- Van Wickle Ventures most often shares deals with Cleo Capital, Everywhere Ventures, Gaingels, among 12 tracked co-investors.
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