Fundraising Fox
Wilbur Labs
Venture studioMiami · 2 people tracked
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Investment thesis
Wilbur Labs systematizes the company-building process by combining research-backed problem identification, studio infrastructure, and operator expertise. The firm concentrates capital on a select set of companies rather than dispersing it widely, reducing risk and accelerating growth through shared resources and domain knowledge. This approach transforms building from an isolated event into a continuous, compounded process.
Source: firm website, verified Sep 27, 2026.
Team · 2 people
from public directories
David Kolodny is a Miami-based entrepreneur and co-founder of Wilbur Labs, a startup studio he established in 2016 with Phil Santoro. Through Wilbur Labs, he has overseen the development of a portfolio exceeding 21 companies across ecommerce, travel, recruitment, pet care, and financial services, including VacationRenter and Barkbus. Prior to founding Wilbur Labs, Kolodny worked at Google from 2013 to 2016 as a Product Specialist focused on product strategy and go-to-market execution, and holds a degree from the University of Michigan Stephen M. Ross School of Business.
Phil Santoro is Co-Founder of Wilbur Labs, a startup studio that has built and invested in 21+ companies since 2016. He previously founded FreeForums.org in 2007, which was acquired by CrowdGather in 2010, and later worked at Google as a Growth Strategist from 2013 to 2016. He graduated from the University of Cincinnati Carl H. Lindner College of Business in 2013 and contributes writing on company building to publications including Inc., Fast Company, and Entrepreneur.
What they invest in
from 1 of 1 portfolio companiesAI & Machine Learning ×1Enterprise Software ×1Fintech ×1InsurTech ×1SaaS ×1
HQs:United States×1
Investments · 1 tracked
founders shown can be your intro path
Newfront is an insurance broker that combines specialty insurance expertise with technology platforms to help clients manage risk and make informed insurance decisions.
AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareFintechInsurTechSaaSSan Francisco, US
Spike Lipkin(CEO)inGordon Wintrob(CTO)inJared Shapiro(Vice President of Engineering)Caleb Draper(Recruiting Team)Dee Olson(recruiting)Jason Hoch(Engineer)in
Co-investorsA*Abstract VenturesAltai VenturesB Capital GroupB4 CapitalBessemer Venture Partners+26 more
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Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companiesNewfront · forgeglobal.com · Mar 26, 2026
Frequently asked questions
- What sectors does Wilbur Labs focus on?
- Wilbur Labs focuses on Sector Agnostic.
- Where is Wilbur Labs located?
- Wilbur Labs is headquartered in Miami, US.
Media · Podcasts & interviews
featuring the teamWilbur Labs Founder FAQ Series with Phil Santoro & David Kolodny - YouTube
Wilbur Labs · Phil Santoro
How Startups Can Beat Large Incumbents | Wilbur Labs Founder FAQ with Phil Santoro - YouTube
Wilbur Labs · Phil Santoro
How to Think About Funding | Wilbur Labs Founder FAQ with David Kolodny
Wilbur Labs
How to Personally Prepare to Start a Company | Wilbur Labs Founder FAQ with Phil Santoro
Wilbur Labs
Starting Up In a Downturn | Wilbur Labs Founder FAQ with David Kolodny
Wilbur Labs
Traits of Successful Founders | Wilbur Labs Founder FAQ with Phil Santoro
Wilbur Labs
Images
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