Insight certainty 4/5 debate potential 2/5

Newman: Emerging VC managers get locked into their Fund I thesis

Ari Newman · The Future of Venture: Massive VC's Vision for Longevity and Impact · Dec 9, 2025 · at 5:10

Ari Newman explains why Massive VC deferred raising a traditional blind-pool fund in 2020.

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“We also knew that typically emerging managers executing a fund one strategy, you're really auditioning for fund two. And the easiest way to put together a clear venture strategy is to have a thesis that's somewhat unique to you, but you become married to it for quite a long time.”

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