The Sarah Smith Fund closed its Fund I at $16 million, targeting investments primarily in startups from the Stanford ecosystem. Smith, a solo general partner, emphasizes the transformative power of AI in her operations. She cites AI's ability to reduce task completion times as a key benefit, allowing for swift, committee-free decision-making. Fund I aims to invest in 50 companies, with 17 already backed at an average check size of $250,000. Smith highlights the uniquely high unicorn production of Stanford, reinforcing her strategic focus on this ecosystem.
Smith expressed her astonishment at the potential of AI for solo general partnerships, stating, "I can't imagine doing venture any other way now." Her firm utilizes AI to support this vision.
Through AI, Smith has dramatically reduced the time for certain tasks. "It took me 2-3 hours of time when it previously would have taken 20," she noted, emphasizing the efficiency AI brings.
Smith is particularly focused on leveraging the Stanford ecosystem, noting, "It has produced more unicorns and exit value than any other university in the world." The research supports her investment strategy.
With an ambition to back 50 companies, Smith's Fund I has already invested in 17 startups, with an average check size of $250,000, showcasing her commitment to early-stage investing.
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