Alumni Ventures

Alumni Ventures has carved out a distinctive niche in venture capital by organizing investment opportunities around university alumni networks, creating one of the largest collections of focused venture funds in the industry. Founded by Michael Collins in 2013 and based in Manchester, New Hampshire, the firm has grown to manage over $1.2 billion in assets under management across dozens of specialized funds tied to specific universities and sectors. The firm's model centers on creating separate investment vehicles for alumni from prestigious institutions like MIT, Stanford, Harvard, and Princeton, allowing graduates to co-invest alongside the firm's professional investment team. This approach has enabled Alumni Ventures to deploy capital across a broad range of stages, from pre-seed through Series B and beyond, with check sizes typically ranging from $25,000 to $500,000 per investment. The firm has built a reputation for high-volume investing, often participating in 200-300 deals annually across its various funds. Notable portfolio companies include Flatiron Health, which was acquired by Roche for $1.9 billion, and Commonwealth Fusion Systems, a nuclear fusion startup that has raised significant capital. Alumni Ventures has also invested in companies like Coinbase, SpaceX, and Robinhood through various rounds. The firm's diversified approach spans multiple sectors including digital health, fintech, aerospace and defense, and consumer technology. What distinguishes Alumni Ventures from traditional venture capital firms is its focus on access and diversification rather than concentrated bets, offering alumni investors exposure to deals they might not otherwise see while leveraging the collective knowledge and networks of university communities. The firm has expanded beyond school-specific funds to include thematic vehicles focused on areas like defense technology and healthcare innovation.