Current Role and Company
Louis Beryl is the Founder and General Partner at Four Cities Capital, a venture capital firm headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area (Newton, Massachusetts), focused on backing early-stage technology and healthcare startups. Four Cities Capital is described as an experienced team of operators and investors dedicated to supporting the "founders of tomorrow." The firm invests primarily at the seed and Series A stages and is recognized for a differentiated approach to venture capital with a conviction-driven investment philosophy.
Louis serves on the boards of portfolio companies such as CarDash and Roofr, and plays an active leadership role in Four Cities Capital’s operations and strategic vision. The firm demonstrates strong emphasis on accelerating category-defining technology companies, having steadily built an operating infrastructure that supports founder-led innovation globally.
Professional Background and Experience
Prior to his current leadership at Four Cities Capital, Louis Beryl was a 3x founder and serial entrepreneur, with a notable track record including:
- Founder and CEO of Earnest, a fintech company acquired by Navient ($NAVI), which specialized in student loan refinancing and online financial services disruption.
- Co-founder and COO of a battery technology company (name undisclosed).
- Previous experience includes roles as a part-time Partner at Y Combinator.
- Founder and CEO at Rocketplace, focused on crypto and digital asset marketplace infrastructure.
- His leadership demonstrates capability in both entrepreneurship and venture capital investment domains, supported by operational expertise across fintech, battery tech, and crypto sectors.
Education
Louis Beryl is highly educated, holding credentials from prestigious institutions:
- MBA in Entrepreneurship & General Management from Harvard Business School (2010 – 2012), where he was a George F. Baker Scholar and an active member of the Harvard iLab Innovation Council.
- Master of Public Policy (MPP) with a David M. Rubenstein Fellowship.
- Undergraduate degree with a certificate in Finance; also served as President of his university's Mathematics Club.
Location and Network
Based in Los Altos, California, Louis maintains a substantial professional network with over 500 connections on LinkedIn and approximately 91,000 followers, indicating a strong influence and wide reach in entrepreneurial and investor communities.
Thought Leadership and Public Commentary
Louis is an active thought leader on topics including financial services innovation, diversity and inclusion, the gig economy, and technology trends. He has published multiple articles on LinkedIn that demonstrate deep insights into market dynamics, consumer behavior, and emerging industry challenges such as:
- “How Much of Your Income Do You Pay in Rent?”
- “Earnest’s Next Chapter: Expanding Our Mission’s Impact,” covering strategic developments in fintech.
- “Steps Toward Diversity and Inclusion,” reflecting his commitment to building diverse organizational cultures.
- Regular commentary on AI developments and startup ecosystem evolution, including a recognition of the transitional state of AI applications as outlined in his endorsement of YC partner Pete Koomen’s “AI Horseless Carriages” framework.
He has also openly shared updates and investment highlights involving portfolio companies like Akido Labs, emphasizing AI-driven growth and his enthusiasm for business acceleration supported by venture financing.
Investment Philosophy and Activity
At Four Cities Capital, Louis leads investments in early-stage companies, with a portfolio including 14+ firms as of 2025. The firm focuses heavily on:
- Early, conviction-based investing in teams with ambitions to build category-leading businesses.
- Deep involvement in technology sectors such as healthcare, fintech, and AI-powered platforms.
- Hands-on operational support and board participation for portfolio companies, facilitating scale and strategic growth.
Louis’s investment decisions are informed by his entrepreneurial background and operational expertise, as well as his experience with Y Combinator, positioning him to evaluate disruptive technologies and founders effectively.
Additional Roles and Affiliations
- Acts as a board member to several startups within Four Cities Capital’s portfolio.
- Previously recognized for successful exits and financing rounds, notably Earnest’s Series A funding milestones ($17 million) and later acquisition.
- Engaged with innovation communities and startup accelerators, contributing to ecosystem development through mentorship and strategic partnerships.
Summary: Louis Beryl is a seasoned venture capitalist and serial entrepreneur with a proven track record in founding high-growth technology companies and leading early-stage investments. His leadership at Four Cities Capital combines entrepreneurial experience with a rigorous investment approach, focusing on transformative technology startups. His educational pedigree, thought leadership, and active community presence underscore his role as a significant influencer in the venture capital and startup sectors.
