📢 I am joining a16z as a venture scout!

Hey fam,

Life update: I'm joining a16z as a scout!

When I started this newsletter, my goal was to create content that can be helpful for early-stage founders and operators, whether by sharing the latest trends and insights relevant to different consumer verticals or by highlighting the unique playbooks and tactics used by the fastest-growing companies. Now, through my partnership with a16z, I'm thrilled to expand this vision by providing founders with financial capital, albeit modest amounts, to help realize their ambitions.

At the same time, I'll be doubling down on my content! I am committed to providing weekly digestible startup case studies, along with occasional long-form deep dives into specific consumer trends and growth strategies. I am excited to offer more in-depth insights into the consumer world—not just from the perspective of a journalist, but also as an investor.

I owe a special thanks to Olivia Moore for bringing me on board. I first met her in early 2020 when I reached out about collaborating on her newsletter, Accelerated. We connected instantly. While she was investing at CRV, I would share promising startups with her, and that relationship continued after she moved to a16z. Through Olivia, I’ve met other fantastic consumer investors on the team, including Justine Moore (her twin sister!) and Bryan Kim. These relationships ultimately led to this exciting opportunity with a16z.

As a scout, I’ll be writing small checks to early-stage companies, often as their first investor. While I’m passionate about consumer opportunities, I’m also eager to explore compelling B2B ventures. As an optimist who has covered over 100 startups across various niches, from marketplaces to prosumer apps, I look forward to partnering with ambitious founders who are deeply passionate about their problem spaces and have a unique perspective on the world.

If this resonates with you, please reach out by replying to this email (if you received this post in your inbox) or by contacting me at [email protected].

It's time to build 🚀!

Leo