First Close Partners

First Close Partners strives to make VC more inclusive. We back venture funds owned by underrepresented managers (“URMs”), esp to help them to a “first close.”

[First Close Partners @close_first]

😳 thanks @ychernova & to our partners: @thebetsyz @tgr @reginabenjamin @joshk @EdGrapeNutZimm @pjparson @bibicheri @tyahma @MorganCheatham @batmelon (more coming)

[Yuliya Chernova @ychernova]

First Close Partners backs diverse VCs. The group already invested in two dozen funds & plans to back 60 this year. "We’ve seen instances of our money being dramatically multiplied by other LPs" @EdGrapeNutZimm @close_first
https://t.co/rS13DzwHXo

[Renata Quintini @rquintini]

I am thrilled to announce Renegade II, a $128M fund to invest in 20 category-defining startups! I’m honored to work alongside @Roseanne Wincek supporting founders who are driven to make their mark. Learn more: https://t.co/gv3of9v4nP

[OpenLP @Open_LP]

1/ 🧵New @PitchBook data reveals that the journey from a first to a sophomore fund has never been more daunting. Historically (2006-2018), 63% of first-time managers were able to raise a second fund, but the current environment suggests a much tougher road ahead. Let’s dig in on emerging #fundraising ⬇️

[Ed Zimmerman @EdGrapeNutZimm]

Check out @LowensteinLLP's @VentureCrushFG Africa Global on 3 April in NYC (also by zoom) How Does Africa Create More #AngelInvestors? #VentureCapital
https://t.co/jwjtHBIleR

[First Close Partners @close_first]

@AcrewCapital @nvca @VCForward @tgr And we are so proud of her (@tgr) leadership and to be in the @AcrewCapital family.

[Acrew Capital @AcrewCapital]

Congratulations to @close_first on receiving the #DEI Impact Award from @nvca and @VCForward.

Our Co-Founding Partner @tgr is proud to be a part of the founding investment committee and a part of the community that is creating a more equitable ecosystem in VC.

[First Close Partners @close_first]

@thedatavc @EdGrapeNutZimm @AHolidayiii @ArlanWasHere @645ventures @nocchiogrosso @thebetsyz @NatashaHoliday @LowensteinLLP @VentureCrushFG @Columbia_Biz Love to see the longevity of these relationships. “We’ve been here for years…”
It is a marathon

[VentureCrush @VentureCrush]

Please join our @VentureCrush 3/21 @ 5-8PM ET (Live) 5:30-7PM ET (Zoom)
Venture Capital (Deals and Current Market), AI, & Inclusive Investing w/ @jgoldfein, @NasirQadree & @EdGrapeNutZimm
Live performance by @mglaspy(NYC)
Register: https://t.co/SjiuHdlGFG

[First Close Partners @close_first]

@nvca @VCForward With gratitude & respect to the @NVCA & @VCForward for recognizing us for #Diversityequityinclusion #DEI
Underrepresented / Overperforming

[First Close Partners @close_first]

@VCForward We so appreciate this recognition🙏 & your support🔦
We also appreciate the extraordinary underrepresented VC managers /funds that have opened the door for our LP commitments &, of course, our own LPs in our 1st & 2nd funds. #Diversity « Underrepresented / Overperforming »

[First Close Partners @close_first]

@VCForward We so appreciate this recognition🙏 & your support🔦
We also appreciate the extraordinary underrepresented VC managers /funds that have opened the door for our LP commitments &, of course, our own LPs in our 1st & 2nd funds. #Diversity « Underrepresented / Overperforming »

[First Close Partners @close_first]

@VCForward We so appreciate this recognition🙏 & your support🔦
We also appreciate the extraordinary underrepresented VC managers /funds that have opened the door for our LP commitments &, of course, our own LPs in our 1st & 2nd funds. #Diversity « Underrepresented / Overperforming »

[Venture Forward @VCForward]

Thrilled to announce @close_first as the 2024 #DEI Impact Award winner! 🎉Their industry leadership and support of our programs embody the spirit of the award & we're proud to honor their efforts in driving positive change🚀

[Ed Zimmerman @EdGrapeNutZimm]

So I need some help with questions for @JethaAfsane
(#AltaSemperCapital)
@MarlonCNichols (of @MaCVentureCap @CornellMBA @KauffmanFellow) for tomorrow's
@VentureCrush
1/24 @ 1:30-6PM ET (NYC) OR 2-3:30PM ET (Zoom) W/
Register: https://t.co/NeKhuXbtG1

[VentureCrushFG @VentureCrushFG]

@EdGrapeNutZimm @JethaAfsane @MarlonCNichols @MaCVentureCap @CornellMBA @VentureCrush @AfsaneJetha @LowensteinLLP @close_first @Columbia_Biz @PolicingEquity What questions do we have for @MarlonCNichols & @AfsaneJetha ?

[First Close Partners @close_first]

@ElishevaMarcus @jkk @EdGrapeNutZimm @LowensteinLLP @thebetsyz So very kind of you. Thx 🙏 cc to @EdGrapeNutZimm & check out @VentureCrushFG too

[Jennifer Neundorfer @jkk]

🎤 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://t.co/joeIMBHxaw

[Jennifer Neundorfer @jkk]

🎤 Listen on Spotify: https://t.co/Q7RNZJeS4y

[Jennifer Neundorfer @jkk]

Thank you Ed for such a powerful and personal discussion. Thank you also for your support of @January_VC and other emerging managers. We all benefit from your leadership in the venture capital world.

🔗Links to full episode below

[Jennifer Neundorfer @jkk]

Ed is a convener, a mentor, an advocate, and a champion for diversity. Listen in to hear:

🔓How he broke into venture

💵What he’s learned by investing in 400+ funds

🌱What FCP looks for in fund managers

❤️ The personal motivation behind his work

https://t.co/JEGkxg3eMt

[Jennifer Neundorfer @jkk]

I’m honored to welcome @EdGrapeNutZimm to Beyond the Cap Table! Ed is a longtime venture lawyer at @LowensteinLLP, he's a prolific angel investor, and he and @thebetsyz are founders of @close_first, a fund of funds that invests in underrepresented GPs.

[VentureCrush @VentureCrush]

Please join @VentureCrush on Wed, 1/24 @ 1:30-6PM ET (NYC) OR 2-3:30PM ET (Zoom)
W/ @hanstung (@GGVCapital) @JethaAfsane (#AltaSemperCapital) @MarlonCNichols (@MaCVentureCap @CornellMBA @KauffmanFellows) & @EdGrapeNutZimm
Register: https://t.co/ejZQM5vsvC