Overview
Dorm Room Fund (DRF), established in 2012 by First Round Capital and headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is a pioneering venture capital firm with a dedicated focus on student entrepreneurs. Originally conceived by Josh Kopelman, DRF leverages the youthful energy and innovative mindset of students, facilitating the growth of entrepreneurial ventures born from academic environments. Transitioning as an independent fund from First Round Capital in 2021, DRF strategically aligns its resources to bridge the gap between educational theory and entrepreneurial practice.
Investment and Impact
- Investment Focus: DRF is committed to student founders, supporting a broad range of academic paths from undergraduates to Ph.D. candidates. Its mission is to nurture entrepreneurial ventures within academic settings, fostering a seamless transition from education to industry.
- Network and Resources: Beyond financial investment, DRF offers a robust framework of seasoned investors and mentors, including connections with distinguished Midas-List venture capitalists. DRF's resources encompass guidance, expert knowledge, and access to a network of innovative peers.
- Financials: With successive fundraising achievements, including a notable $12.5 million fund secured in September 2022, DRF underscores its strategic capability to support student-led startups. To date, DRF has played a pivotal role in facilitating over $300 million of follow-on capital for its portfolio companies, marking its significant influence within the venture ecosystem.
Community and Culture
Dorm Room Fund fosters a vibrant community where student investors and founders interact and collaborate. Endorsements from industry leaders like Talia Goldberg of Bessemer Venture Partners and Alex Immerman of a16z highlight DRF's instrumental role in cultivating future venture capital careers.
Team and Leadership
- Sofia Cagliero: A senior at Harvard University, Sofia majors in Applied Mathematics and Economics and contributes her analytical expertise to the investment team.
- Jo Cheng: An MBA candidate at Wharton, Jo brings strong mentorship and startup initiative experience.
- Danny Delaney: Pursuing an MBA at Harvard Business School, Danny specializes in fintech and clean technology.
- Kyle Dolce: A first-year MBA at Harvard Business School with previous experience at Glasswing Ventures.
- Vishal Dubey: A Computer Science student at Columbia University, specializing in fintech.
- Lindsay Esterman: A tech-focused investor with a product management and engineering background.
- Key Personnel Continued:
- Daniel Taesoo, Ananya Chadha, Molly Fowler, Shobha Dasari, Kunal Sharda, Shubhan Dua, David Stavis, Archika Dogra, Roberaa Ayana, Zaid Fattah.
These individuals collectively reflect DRF's strategic mission to harness student ingenuity in venture investments, shaping future leaders in venture capital.
Financial and Operational Data
- Estimated Annual Revenue: $7.5 million
- Employee Count: 75 employees
- Revenue per Employee: $100,000
- Employee Growth: -5% over the last year
Competitor Landscape
Dorm Room Fund navigates a competitive landscape within the venture capital sector, standing out through:
- Kamylon Capital: Revenue of $35 million, 16 employees.
- Rockport Capital: Revenue of $3.5 million, stable employee count.
- Q-Biz Solutions: Revenue of $15 million, 3 employees.
- Life Science VC: Revenue of $3.5 million, 33 employees, -21% growth rate.
- General Catalyst: Revenue of $15 million, 222 employees, 16% growth rate.
Strategic Positioning
Dorm Room Fund distinguishes itself as the inaugural student-run venture fund in the U.S., focusing on early-stage investments predominantly within the student community. This unique model fosters a platform for students to gain practical venture expertise, identifying innovative startup concepts from university settings.
Web Presence and Networks
DRF's online presence is anchored by its [official website](https://www.dormroomfund.com/), offering comprehensive insights into their investment team, portfolio companies, and funding application processes. DRF emphasizes fostering regional networking and strong community ties within the landscape of student entrepreneurship.
Competitor Analysis
While Dorm Room Fund operates amidst formidable national venture capital entities like Kamylon Capital and Rockport Capital, and larger firms such as General Catalyst in revenue terms, its differentiation lies in a niche focus on student entrepreneurs. DRF's association with First Round Capital enables it to sustain its unique position in the competitive venture capital arena, nurturing emerging student talent.
