Investing in bold Pitt alumni founders.
Pitt alumni have incredible ideas that are changing the world. We help our alumni grow these ideas into durable companies with capital and a network of other Pitt alumni mentors.
About Us
Mission.
1787 Ventures seeks to empower innovative and disruptive University of Pittsburgh-affiliated companies. We strive to not only provide capital for these intelligent entrepreneurs, but to offer them access to University of Pittsburgh mentors and alumni from all over the world.
Vision.
We believe that the University of Pittsburgh has produced alumni entrepreneurs that will be leading disruptors in various industries.
We partner with the best Pitt alumni to help build strong Pitt alumni founded companies and promote Pitt’s reputation as an innovative, entrepreneurial institution focused on making the
world a better place. Through the success of Pitt alumni start-ups we will expand the reach of the University of Pittsburgh and strengthen its brand.
We Engage with Pitt Alumni Disruptors in Multiple Capacities.
Financial
We provide growth capital for company’s ready to scale their business.
Business Advisory
We connect Founders and Senior Executives with Pitt alumni that can provide value-add advisory, business expertise, and introductions.
Management Coaching
We help prepare Founders to take their business to the next level.
Philanthropy
We have pledged to give a portion of all investment profits back to the University of Pittsburgh
1787 Ventures Structure
01.
Entity
Each investment is through an individual Special Purpose Vehicle (“SPV”). The SPVs are managed by AngelList which handles the ongoing legal and accounting.
02.
Minimum
Investment minimums are only
$5K per deal to appeal to a diverse group of alumni
03.
Fees
We charge no membership fee or management fee. Similar to other syndicates there is a 20% carry on returns, divided between 1787 Ventures and the University of Pittsburgh.
04.
Investment Size
We write investment checks in the range of $150k – $500k.
05.
Investment Stage
We target investments in Seed and Series A. We look for companies with a viable product and market fit that need additional growth capital.
06.
Investment Sector
We are industry agnostic but focus on companies within the United States. We do not invest in real estate.
07.
Investors
Our platform is open to all University of Pittsburgh alumni.
08.
Requirements
There are no fees to join, no annual fees to be a part of the group, and no requirement to invest in any deal. However, we ask that all members make at least one investment per year.
1787 Ventures is being built with the support and commitment of prominent and successful University of Pittsburgh alumni across industries and fields.
We seek committed alumni to join us as Charter Members. Our Charter Members have the ability to truly impact the trajectory of businesses we back, including active engagement with management. Charter Members must investment at least $10,000 per year, across one or more investments. In exchange you receive:
- Ability to share in deal carry
- Priority review of all deals and opportunities
- Advisory Board opportunities with portfolio companies
- Direct access to portfolio company management teams
Meet Us
Strategic Advisors
JONATHAN DANE, CFA
CBA ’04
KEITH SCHAEFER
A&S ’71
Become a Part of 1787 Ventures
Contact us to join 1787 Venturers as an Alumni-Investor or as a Founder seeking capital.