TLDR:
Ed Sim of Boldstart Ventures practices “inception” investing, providing seed funding to founders before they have fully developed a business plan, leading to successful investments like cybersecurity company ProtectAI. Sim’s unconventional approach has made him a fixture on Forbes’ Midas Seed List and has earned praise from founders for his hands-on support. Despite initial skepticism, Sim has built an $800 million fund by defying norms and focusing on infrastructure and enterprise startups.
- Ed Sim practices “inception” investing, funding founders before they have fully hashed out a business plan.
- Investments like ProtectAI have proven successful, showcasing Sim’s valuable support for early-stage startups.
Full Article:
Few early-stage investors can rival Boldstart Ventures founder Ed Sim’s record at picking founders before they even have a business plan. His “inception” investing approach involves writing checks to founders with visionary ideas, leading to successful investments like cybersecurity company ProtectAI. Sim’s hands-on support and unique investment strategy have made him a top seed-stage investor, keeping him on Forbes’ Midas Seed List since its launch in 2022.
Sim, who started writing early checks in 2010, specialized in backing enterprise and infrastructure startups from New York. His move to Miami, post-pandemic, made him one of the few investors to stay after the Techxodus ended. Despite initial skepticism and challenges, Sim has grown Boldstart Ventures from a $1 million fund to managing over $800 million in assets by defying norms and focusing on infrastructure and enterprise tech.
Sim’s deep involvement with founders, serving on the boards of companies like cybersecurity unicorn Snyk and BigId, has earned him praise for his support and guidance. His unconventional approach to investing has proven successful, showcasing the value of early-stage investment in visionary founders.
