Equal Ventures

Equal Ventures is a venture capital firm focused on transformative companies across emerging markets and industries. It emphasizes industry transformation, the importance of digital-first platforms, sustainable energy, efficient supply chains, and innovative business models. The firm values deep research, founder partnerships, and a proactive approach to investment.

Venture Capital Industry Transformation Digital Platforms Sustainable Energy Supply Chain Management Innovative Business Models Startup Ecosystem Investment Strategies Technology and Innovation Market Trends

The hottest Substack posts of Equal Ventures

And their main takeaways

Equal Ventures Focus Area: Logistics

0 implied HN points • 12 Aug 20
💼 Business Investment Supply Chain Digital Infrastructure Business Models Financial Services
  1. Amazon's impact on the supply chain has forced industry players to modernize their systems to meet customer demands
  2. The growth of eCommerce and rising return rates have put stress on traditional supply chains, necessitating digital infrastructure for efficiency
  3. In the logistics sector, there is a need for new business models, digital solutions, and financial services providers to enable existing players to compete effectively with Amazon

Welcome Wrapbook to the Equal Ventures Portfolio

0 implied HN points • 25 Aug 20
💼 Business Investment Startups Finance Entrepreneurship Technology
  1. Increased legislation and scrutiny regarding how workers are treated is expected in the future, with a clearer distinction between W2, 1099, and project-based workers.
  2. Wrapbook is a financial platform specializing in the entertainment industry, streamlining payroll processing and providing competitive workers' compensation rates.
  3. Wrapbook offers a superior product experience for employers in handling project-based workers, offering digital profiles and enabling workers to own their information.

Open-Sourcing Equal’s Framework For COVID-19 Scenario Planning

0 implied HN points • 31 Mar 20
💼 Business Strategy Planning Framework Startups COVID-19
  1. Founders need plans for various potential scenarios caused by the pandemic, leading to the creation of a standardized framework for strategic planning.
  2. The framework is divided into 3 key sections: current impacts analysis, short-term scenario planning, and long-term implications discussion.
  3. Personalizing the framework template for different business categories is important to account for varying impacts and parameters.

Venture Investing 101: Equal’s Required Reading List for New Hires

0 implied HN points • 14 May 20
💼 Business Startups Investment Strategies Market Analysis
  1. Equal Ventures values cognitive diversity in their team, believing it provides unique insights into the markets and companies they invest in.
  2. The firm has a standard reading list for new hires, consisting of books that have influenced the structure of Equal Ventures, their investment decisions, and how they work with entrepreneurs.
  3. Books recommended by Equal Ventures include titles exploring technological revolutions, Venture Capital history, platform business models, management frameworks like OKRs, and strategies for value creation and competitive advantage in investing.
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Welcome Simran Suri

0 implied HN points • 13 Jul 20
💼 Business Venture Capital Investment Startups Management Recruitment
  1. Equal Ventures fund brought in a new investment professional, Simran Suri, as an Analyst. She joined after graduating with diverse experiences and achievements.
  2. Simran Suri stood out among hundreds of candidates with her industry knowledge, passion, and ability to leverage her skills for in-depth analysis.
  3. Simran Suri's reputation for excellence precedes her, making her a valuable addition to the team and the NYC Venture Community. Her track record in both investing and networking is impressive.

Equal Ventures Focus Area: Retail

0 implied HN points • 12 Aug 20
💼 Business Retail E-commerce Infrastructure
  1. The retail industry has experienced significant shifts towards eCommerce, especially due to the impact of COVID-19, leading to opportunities for innovation and detachment from platform dependency.
  2. The rise of the circular economy for used and rented goods and the growth of digital grocery present exciting trends within the retail sector, creating opportunities for new category leaders and a shift in consumer behavior.
  3. Equal Ventures is focusing on 'The Great Unbundling' within the retail sector, emphasizing on business activities that enable brands to focus on core competencies, particularly interested in digital grocery companies reducing customer acquisition costs and enhancing retention as they scale.

Welcome Chelsea Zhang to Equal Ventures!

0 implied HN points • 24 Sep 20
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. Chelsea Zhang joined Equal Ventures as an Associate after impressing the team with her industry knowledge and problem-solving skills.
  2. Despite challenges like COVID, Chelsea demonstrated immense poise and contributed significantly to the team's understanding of sectors impacted by the pandemic.
  3. Chelsea's exceptional performance, intellectual curiosity, and ability to make those around her better led to her being hired by Equal Ventures despite not intending to hire at the MBA level.

Startup Chief of Staff Program @ Equal Ventures

0 implied HN points • 05 Oct 20
💼 Business Startup Venture Capital Career development Operations Applications
  1. Equal Ventures launched a program to connect early-career generalists with early-stage companies, offering Chief of Staff opportunities.
  2. Participants will get matched with startups, receive training to accelerate career growth, and possibly prepare for senior roles or founding their own company.
  3. The application is open to U.S. and Canada operators with tech startup, consulting, or finance experience, who are self-directed and data-driven.

Our Secret: Delivering the Same VC "Product" to the Next Generation of Founders

0 implied HN points • 20 Oct 22
💼 Business Venture Capital Investment strategy
  1. The VC industry needs to evolve to serve the next generation of founders in areas like insurance, energy, and logistics.
  2. Founders in new business sectors may struggle to access VCs who lack knowledge about their industries.
  3. To support the new wave of founders, VCs must develop a deeply prepared understanding of specific industries to provide the necessary support.

Operators-In-Residence Program at Equal Ventures

0 implied HN points • 05 Oct 20
💼 Business Venture Capital Entrepreneurship Technology Innovation Remote work
  1. Equal Ventures launched an Operators-In-Residence program to collaborate with experienced Operators to explore new venture opportunities.
  2. The program is remote, accepting applications from operators in the U.S. and Canada, aiming to provide connections, deep market insights, and the potential for new ventures.
  3. Qualifications for the program include being an operator in a high growth tech company for 5+ years, interest in starting/joining a new venture, and a friendly demeanor.

Equal Ventures Hiring MBA Interns For the 2020–21 School Year

0 implied HN points • 24 Aug 20
💼 Business Venture Capital Internships Investing Consulting Research
  1. Equal Ventures is hiring MBA interns for the 2020-21 school year from October to April with the possibility of extension.
  2. Interns will assist in researching industry themes and analyzing investment opportunities for the firm's thesis-driven approach.
  3. Applicants should have experience in consulting, research, or private equity, be intellectually curious, professional, self-directed, and amicable.

Equal Ventures Focus Area: Energy & Sustainability

0 implied HN points • 12 Aug 20
💼 Business Investment Market Trends ESG Energy Efficiency Digital innovation
  1. Consumer consciousness around sustainable consumption is increasing, with some willing to pay more for green energy.
  2. State and municipal policies are driving regulatory changes focused on energy efficiency and renewable energy.
  3. There is growing interest and funding in environmental, social, and governance initiatives in the capital markets, particularly in ESG-focused funds.

Equal Ventures Focus Area: Care Economies

0 implied HN points • 12 Aug 20
💼 Business Investment Market Overview Labor Services Innovation
  1. Equal Ventures is focusing on investing in care economies, particularly in childcare and eldercare segments.
  2. The childcare industry is facing rising costs and concerns around the quality of care providers, while the eldercare sector is preparing for unprecedented growth in the number of seniors in America.
  3. Companies that prioritize access, accountability, and affordability of care, along with improving transparency and trust in the industry, are of interest to Equal Ventures.

Equal Ventures Focus Area: Insurance

0 implied HN points • 12 Aug 20
💼 Business Insurance Digital Transformation Risk management
  1. The insurance industry is experiencing significant changes due to digital transformation affecting various parts of the insurance value chain.
  2. Insurers are increasingly utilizing signal data from various sources to enhance underwriting results and risk management, leading to the emergence of Managing General Agents (MGAs) benefiting from this trend.
  3. Opportunities in the insurance space include developing innovative insurance solutions that combine digital and insurance products, enhancing efficiency in the broker landscape through digital transformation, and creating infrastructure for improved efficiency in reinsurance and Managing General Agent markets.

Equal Ventures: Key Investment Areas

0 implied HN points • 12 Aug 20
💼 Business Markets Venture Capital
  1. Equal Ventures focuses on investing in key markets where they have developed expertise, called 'Majors', based on large shifts, complexity, connectivity to industry leaders, and limited competition.
  2. Their current Majors include Retail, Insurance, Logistics, Care Economies, and Energy & Sustainability, with a focus on innovative solutions within these sectors.
  3. They also have 'Minors' - sectors the team is researching that may become future 'Majors' for the firm.

SmartHop — A platform for truckers, by truckers

0 implied HN points • 21 Jul 20
💼 Business Logistics Technology Entrepreneurship Investment Transportation
  1. Trucking industry is crucial for the US economy, employing over 3 million individuals, but smaller fleets face challenges like limited access to technology and higher costs.
  2. Investment in technologies like SmartHop can significantly improve the lives of independent truckers, providing better access to loads and optimizing take-home pay.
  3. SmartHop's platform, run by an experienced team, partners with top brokers to enhance driver pay and access to premium loads, creating a transformation in the industry.

Equal Ventures Hiring MBA Interns

0 implied HN points • 10 Mar 20
💼 Business Venture Capital Internships Recruitment Investing Analysis
  1. Equal Ventures is hiring MBA interns for research-based roles to support thesis development in various industries.
  2. The internship will focus on assisting with industry research, developing investment theses, evaluating companies, and supporting founders.
  3. Applicants are expected to have experience in consulting, equity research, or private equity, along with qualities like curiosity, professionalism, self-direction, and friendliness.

Announcing Equal Ventures Fund I

0 implied HN points • 11 Feb 20
💼 Business Venture Capital Innovation Investing Entrepreneurship Technology
  1. Equal Ventures Fund I is a $56M seed-stage venture fund focused on bridging the digital divide.
  2. Equal Ventures is thesis-driven, places emphasis on seed-stage investments, and values domain expertise and hands-on support for founders.
  3. The founders of Equal Ventures bring diverse backgrounds and experiences to the firm, aiming to support founders and industries often underserved in the traditional venture capital landscape.

The Equal Ventures Insurance Index

0 implied HN points • 18 Oct 23
💰 Finance Insurance Market Trends
  1. In Q3, insurtech carriers faced challenges, with rising loss ratios impacting growth, while digital brokers underperformed compared to legacy peers.
  2. Brokers are encountering a favorable environment with higher rates, but digital challengers like GSHD showed strong performance.
  3. Property and casualty carriers struggled with increasing losses due to catastrophe exposure, leading to market volatility and a shift towards specialty insurance providers.

Welcoming Adam Chadroff to Equal Ventures

0 implied HN points • 08 Nov 22
💼 Business Venture Capital Insurtech Recruitment
  1. Equal Ventures welcomes Adam Chadroff as an important addition to their team, after an extensive search for a qualified InsurTech expert.
  2. Adam Chadroff's background showcases his exceptional qualities of intellectual prowess, problem-solving tenacity, and strong critical reasoning - qualities highly valued at Equal Ventures.
  3. Adam Chadroff's decision to join Equal Ventures as an operator demonstrates his dedication to the firm's values and goals in the venture industry.

The Unaddressed Opportunity in Emerging Managers

0 implied HN points • 10 Nov 22
💼 Business Venture Capital Asset management Entrepreneurship Investing Funding
  1. Emerging managers in the venture industry show potential for high returns despite receiving a smaller share of capital allocation.
  2. Diversity in emerging manager profiles and strong alignment with LP incentives make them attractive investments.
  3. The slow change in LP-GP dynamics, the challenge of identifying new managers, and the dominance of established firms hinder the growth of emerging managers, limiting diversity and innovation in the asset class.

Equal’s POV on Investing in Retail

0 implied HN points • 21 Jun 23
💼 Business Investing Retail Technology Profitability
  1. VCs heavily invested in digital-first commerce, but rising costs and unprofitability among DTC brands show challenges in changing retail margins.
  2. The retail industry faced significant inventory challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the importance of effective inventory management for margins.
  3. There is a renewed focus on profitability and fundamentals within brands and retailers, with a trend towards optimizing margins through omnichannel strategies and managed marketplaces.

Looking Back on the First Annual Climate Capital Summit

0 implied HN points • 28 Sep 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Green Technology Investment Strategies
  1. Climate progress is not solely dependent on federal legislation like the IRA; local and state levels play a crucial role in accelerating climate action.
  2. Storage technology was a major focus at the Climate Capital Summit, with discussions on its versatile applications across various industries and its potential to drive positive growth in the climate sector.
  3. While there's a push to reduce funding to big oil, there's also recognition of the role oil and gas companies can play in advancing climate initiatives, leveraging their resources and expertise for progress.

Your Fund Size is Your Strategy

0 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
💼 Business Venture Capital Funding Investing Startup Ecosystem
  1. The size of a fund impacts the investment strategy - larger funds may need to be less collaborative and aim for higher ownership percentages.
  2. As funds grow larger, it becomes more challenging to syndicate deals and collaborate with other investors, leading to a need for more selective partnerships.
  3. Investing independently and leading deals can be a strategic advantage, especially for firms looking to maintain a specific investment focus and collaboration opportunities.

On the Importance of Mental Models in Investing

0 implied HN points • 14 Dec 23
💰 Finance Investing Mental models Venture Assets Decision-making
  1. Venture investing can be unstructured with limited data, requiring investors to develop independent conviction in opportunities.
  2. Successful investors use mental models to structure thoughts and make better decisions, developing a unique approach based on a latticework of models.
  3. Leveraging mental models inspired by seasoned investors can significantly impact professional growth and decision-making, creating structure in the chaotic venture environment.

Bridging the Digital Divide in Climate: Announcing the Climate Capital Summit

0 implied HN points • 20 Jun 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Sustainability Conference Climate Impact
  1. Collaboration and learning across different industry groups in climate sector are crucial to avoid repeating past mistakes and achieve impactful digital transformation.
  2. Creating space for interdisciplinary discourse across asset classes is necessary in the climate arena to scale businesses and address climate challenges effectively.
  3. The Climate Capital Summit provides a platform for top decision-makers in the climate industry to discuss trends and gaps, offering valuable insights and opportunities for collaboration.

Seed is the New Series A

0 implied HN points • 19 Dec 23
💼 Business Venture Capital Investing Startups Funding Strategy
  1. Seed stage investing has evolved to become as prominent and important as Series A investments in recent years.
  2. Seed investors have seen success, leading to larger investments, pushing Series A rounds to later stages.
  3. The venture capital landscape is changing, with early-stage investing maturing, causing a shift in investment strategies towards earlier-stage opportunities.

ClimateTech 2023: Lessons from the CleanTech Bubble

0 implied HN points • 04 Apr 23
💼 Business Venture Capital Investments Market Analysis
  1. Climate industry has seen a rise in capital over the last three years, learning from the failures of the CleanTech bubble in the past
  2. CleanTech market suffered a crash due to investing in areas misunderstood by VCs, leading to poor returns and hindering future investments
  3. VCs during the CleanTech era made mistakes by investing in business models that required government intervention, leading to their downfall

Opportunities for Innovation in the Insurance Agency Software Stack

0 implied HN points • 09 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Software Innovation Sales Service Infrastructure
  1. Legacy insurance agency software systems are often outdated and do not provide an optimal user experience for agents and customers.
  2. There is a need for innovation in digitizing agency workflows, with a focus on areas like prospecting, sales, placement, and servicing to enhance efficiency.
  3. Opportunities exist for technology solutions to improve agency infrastructure, customer experience, and operational efficiency in the insurance industry.

In the Age of AI, Build "Platforms," Not "Products"

0 implied HN points • 30 Aug 23
💼 Business AI Software Platforms Technology Competition
  1. Legacy software product companies are at risk of becoming obsolete due to the impact of AI on software production.
  2. The concept of building platforms instead of products is crucial in the age of AI for long-term success in the tech sector.
  3. Platforms leverage data, distribution, and development to create increasing returns to scale, making them more valuable and defensible than traditional product-centric companies.

Going Your Own Way

0 implied HN points • 15 Nov 23
💼 Business Venture Capital Innovation Investing Originality Startups
  1. Venture capital managers should not rely on past success strategies in the rapidly evolving industry, but should forge their own paths.
  2. Breaking away from traditional venture capital norms and practices can lead to success, even when faced with skepticism from experienced investors.
  3. Innovation and originality are key in the venture capital world, with a constant need to push boundaries to stay ahead of the market.

Welcoming Grace Penders to Equal Ventures

0 implied HN points • 17 Feb 24
💼 Business Venture Capital Climate Team Dynamics Recruitment
  1. Grace Penders joins Equal Ventures as the new Climate Product Owner, bringing impressive expertise and passion for the sector.
  2. Grace's personal qualities, like a knack for finding unrevealed insights and a team-first mentality, stood out in her candidacy for the role.
  3. Equal Ventures focuses on building enduring partnerships with founders, and Grace's addition is expected to further strengthen these relationships.

Equal's 2023 Research POV

0 implied HN points • 17 Jan 23
💼 Business Retail Supply Chain Insurance Climate
  1. Retail sector is shifting focus from growth to fundamentals due to choppy economic conditions in 2023. Brands outsourcing non-core competencies like brick & mortar retail.
  2. Supply chain disruptions persist in 2023. Opportunities in restructuring manufacturing supply chains, filling labor gaps, and managing freight market downturn.
  3. Insurance sector sees focus on profitability, capital efficiency, and product differentiation. Trends in specialty lines, embedded solutions, and broker digitization.

A Look Into Construction Tech

0 implied HN points • 08 Dec 22
🕹 Technology Construction Digitization Market Analysis Challenges
  1. The construction industry faced challenges due to COVID, leading to project delays, labor shortages, and higher costs, but also drove innovation and digital adaptation.
  2. The construction industry is massive, fragmented, cyclical, and essential to the U.S. economy, with specific segments like private construction and public infrastructure.
  3. Construction has been slow in adopting technology, but the pandemic accelerated its digital transformation, especially in areas like drones, digital collaboration, and safety tools.

Equal Ventures Hiring Pre-MBA Associate

0 implied HN points • 14 Feb 20
💼 Business Venture Capital Career development Investment Opportunities Team Building
  1. Equal Ventures is a seed stage venture firm focusing on transforming legacy markets such as insurance, retail, supply chain, and the care economy.
  2. The Pre-MBA Associate role at Equal Ventures involves researching industry themes, analyzing investment opportunities, and supporting founders to scale their companies.
  3. To apply for the Pre-MBA Associate position, candidates need 2-3 years of relevant experience, intellectual curiosity, professionalism, self-direction, and a friendly personality.