Name: SputnikATX
Location: Austin, Texas
Web site: https://www.sputnikatx.com/
What it is: The firm looks for early stage maker-founders who solve real problems. It incubates and invests in eight to 12 startups a year. Each startup receives $100K via a SAFE note and follow-on funding is $500K. There are 47 founders in its portfolio as of this spring, leading companies including those focused on podcasting analytics to cat care to oil pipeline corrosion.
Leadership: Oksana Malysheva, a physicist who immigrated to the United States from Ukraine. She also worked for McKinsey and Motorola. Joe Merrill is a former diplomat and startup founder. Oksana is managing partner at the Linden Venture Fund; Merrill remains a partner there, too.
Investment style/track record: The firm has invested $5 million over two and a half years. In the spring, Malysheva asked for founders working on projects that combat police brutality. “I’m not promising to fund every idea that comes my way,” says Malysheva, “but I am promising to go and dig and look for this.” She is also looking for LatinX founders.
Quote: “It’s useful not to have any preconceived notions,” Malysheva told Nina Kaarina Roberts, reporting for Times of E. Malysheva grew up, she describes as, “extremely poor.”
Note: This article was changed 8/15/20 to correct the founders’ continuing roles with the Linden funds.
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