Integrated Market Research Report on Tiger Iron Capital and Competitors

Company Overview

Tiger Iron Capital was founded in 2016, specializing as an institutional fund-of-funds manager with a targeted focus on venture capital investments. The firm provides access to sophisticated institutional investors, offering high-performing venture capital funds worldwide, with a particular emphasis on the early stages of company development. Tiger Iron Capital is based in Andover, Massachusetts, with significant operations also in Boston and San Francisco. The firm's unique approach centers around providing a degree of control over portfolio construction for investors and maintaining low fee structures through a variable cost infrastructure and strategic use of outsourced service providers. This strategy enables Tiger Iron Capital to focus on core competencies and high-quality investments without the pressure to expand assets under management.

Management Team

• Rebecca "Becky" Connolly, Co-founder and Managing Partner: Becky boasts over 25 years of industry experience, transitioning from a legal background to venture capital investment. Her pivotal roles at Everest Ventures and Fairview Capital Partners involved identifying investment opportunities and cultivating relationships with top-tier venture capital funds. She holds a Bachelor in Economics from the College of the Holy Cross and a Juris Doctor from Boston College Law School.

• Matthew "Matt" Schaefer, Co-founder and Managing Partner: With over 25 years in the field, Matt moved from public accounting with Arthur Andersen & Co. to venture capital at Bigler Investment Management Co. He managed fund-of-funds activities and customized accounts at Fairview Capital Partners, gaining profound insights into venture capital's dynamic nature. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Accounting from the College of the Holy Cross.

• Amit Tiwari, Managing Partner: Based in San Francisco, Amit has over 25 years of experience in private equity as a limited partner and investor. His past roles at Credit Suisse and Invesco's Private Capital Group involved developing venture capital strategies. Amit holds a Bachelor in Management from Tulane University and an MBA from UC Davis.

• Mary Shannon, Chief Operations Officer & Chief Compliance Officer: With over 35 years in venture experience, Mary has held significant roles in corporate finance and international business. Her previous work with Burr, Egan, Deleage & Co., and Masthead Venture Partners laid the foundation for her current responsibilities. Mary earned her Bachelor of Arts in French from the College of the Holy Cross and an MBA from Boston College.

• Cindy Chong, Principal: Joining in 2024, Cindy has over a decade of venture capital experience from Shoreline Investment Management and Invesco Private Capital. She holds a Bachelor in political economy from UC Berkeley and is a CFA charterholder.

• Kate Mitchell, Operations & Data Analyst: Kate supports operational and financial functions, utilizing her finance and data analytics training from Boston College Carroll School of Management.

Strategic Approach and Operations

Tiger Iron Capital's strategy is rooted in a creative and collaborative approach to venture capital fund investments. The firm prioritizes alignment of interest and active collaboration with significant institutional investors. Their business model avoids the traditional issues of scalability and transparency in large blind pool fund-of-funds by focusing on bespoke portfolio development and reduced fee structures. Recent investments include commitments up to $125 million in early-stage venture capital managers, underscoring its commitment to significant institutional partnerships.

Industry Positioning and Key Competitors

Tiger Iron Capital differentiates itself within the venture capital ecosystem, maintaining relationships with prestigious venture capital firms while focusing exclusively on venture investments. This strategic focus aligns it with the dynamically evolving landscape of early-stage investing.

Competitors

• BlackRock: A global leader in investment management with a comprehensive suite of fiduciary and advisory solutions, BlackRock services its clients across 42 countries with 19,000+ employees. Their emphasis on sustainability and innovation underscores their expansive client engagement.

• Fidelity Investments: Founded in 1946, Fidelity is a prominent player in asset management, managing approximately $5.8 trillion. Offering a range of services from financial planning to brokerage, they stand as a preeminent mutual fund company in the U.S.

• Goldman Sachs: A formidable institution in investment banking and securities, Goldman Sachs leverages its global infrastructure and innovation investment to provide competitive asset and wealth management services.

Tiger Iron Capital holds a specialized niche focus compared to more diversified financial giants like BlackRock, Fidelity, and Goldman Sachs, who offer broader asset management services and diversified client service portfolios.