The Fund's Investment Thesis

The Deep Tech Fund offers an opportunity to invest in a venture portfolio of ~20-30 diverse companies tackling the toughest and potentially most lucrative tech challenges. The events of 2020 have underscored the critical importance of committing to and investing in science and rational thought for the well-being of society and the planet.

AVG is in an excellent position to identify, access, and create a portfolio of such venture investments. With alumni connections to some of the country’s top universities—as well as established accelerators, incubators, and venture firms—we can draw on a powerful network. Besides leveraging that community to source new opportunities, we can also invest in follow-on rounds of some of the ~450 companies in our existing portfolio.

Here’s why AVG thinks Deep Tech is a compelling focus for investment.

Sector Opportunity. Tech has been a key focus of venture investing for years. Software, pharma, and biotech have been the most active sectors in venture for most of the past decade.¹And in the past five years, deep tech companies raised more rounds than other tech companies.²
Lower Capital Requirements. New technologies such as machine learning, quantum computing, and genetic sequencing are making it cheaper and faster for deep tech companies to innovate and bring disruptive new technologies to market.²
Profound Impact. Deep tech ventures are tackling the world’s greatest challenges and opportunities, with many initiatives having the potential to make a major impact.
Investment Potential. Innovative solutions to major technical and scientific challenges can yield great societal and investor benefits. One in five unicorns is in a deep tech company, with ~100 unicorns altogether.²
AVG in This Environment. Many traditional venture firms are now preoccupied with triaging portfolios and intense company management. As a co-investor who has always been nimble and entrepreneurial, AVG can focus solely on identifying the best opportunities. And as veterans of past downturns, we know that adaptable companies survive and even thrive in environments like this, while pricing and terms can become more reasonable.

Footnotes:
1 https://pitchbook.com/news/articles/18-charts-to-illustrate-us-vc-in-2018
2 sosv.com/deeptechtrends/

Open Now Through September 30, 2020

This fund will invest in ventures that are focusing on valuable deep tech solutions. Likely target sectors include AI/machine learning, blockchain/distributed ledger, robotics, VR/AR/MR, genomics, advanced materials, longevity, and others.

Promising deals sourced, vetted, and sponsored by one of our Alumni Fund investment teams
Our Office of Investing will determine if the deal meets our Deep Tech Fund lens
Pursuing proprietary, difference-making innovations that create business moats
Backed by established venture investors with deep experience in the sector and the expertise to validate the science/tech
Diversified portfolio across stage, sector, geography, and lead investor to help mitigate risk

I'm interested in the AVG Deep Tech Fund

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- I'm an Accredited Investor
  (Annual income of $200k+, or with spouse $300k+)
- I'm not an Accredited Investor
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How It Works

Data-driven and process-based investors

AVG Deal Sourcing and Diligence

~50 investment professionals sourcing deals
Data-rich and process-based diligence and decision making with rigorous deal scoring
Co-invest alongside established lead venture investors

AVG Investment Process

Every deal sourced by one of our Alumni Funds is screened to determine if it fits within the Deep Tech Fund investment mandate.
AVG’s centralized investment team, led by our CIO and Office of Investing, selects investments from the potential deals to optimize diversification by stage, sector, geography, and lead investor.
The portfolio will be constructed over a period of ~12-18 months and represent a mix of deals sourced and sponsored by our Alumni Funds.

Smart, Simple Venture Investing

Open to All Accredited Investors

Smart

Portfolio consists of ~20-30 companies, diversified by stage, sector, geography, and lead investor within the investment mandate
Venture portfolio professionally managed by our experienced investment professionals
Co-invest alongside established lead venture investors