Organization · Venture Capital

MDSV Capital

MDSV Capital is a venture capital firm based in Palo Alto, California, specializing in investments in emerging manager funds and high-growth companies. The firm employs a dual strategy of investing in top-tier emerging managers and making direct investments in standout portfolio companies.

Venture CapitalFunderCommunityEvent hostPublisher

Overview

What MDSV Capital does

What MDSV Capital is

MDSV Capital is a venture capital firm based in Palo Alto, California, specializing in investments in emerging manager funds and high-growth companies. The firm employs a dual strategy of investing in top-tier emerging managers and making direct investments in standout portfolio companies.

How it participates in the startup ecosystem

The current public profile supports funder and community and event host and publisher capabilities. Each capability below is shown separately so organization identity and role-specific information do not get conflated.

Operational profile

Organization status and context

Organization status describes the entity itself. Funding and program availability appear within the relevant capability profile.

Operational status
Active
Organization type
Venture Capital
Structured capabilities
Funder · Community · Event host · Publisher
Last reviewed
April 23, 2026

Official channels

Find MDSV Capital elsewhere

Open the official website or a supported primary organization account.

Capability profile

MDSV Capital as a funder

Investment thesis

MDSV Capital employs a two-track approach: investing in top emerging manager funds and making direct co-investments into breakout portfolio companies. This strategy focuses on sectors aligned with the current Innovation Supercycle, including AI, SaaS, security, fintech, defense, and frontier tech.

Focus narrative

MDSV Capital invests in the top 1% of emerging manager funds, particularly those with less than $100 million in assets under management. The organization employs a strategy called 'Emerging Manager Alpha at Scale,' which aims to deliver balanced exposure to early-stage investments and directly invest in high-growth companies emerging from their portfolios. The firm focuses on sectors aligned with the current Innovation Supercycle, including artificial intelligence (AI), B2B enterprise, defense technology, deep technology, and the automation economy.

Value beyond capital

MDSV Capital adds value to its portfolio companies through its Capital Extension Program, which enables follow-on funding for the fastest-growing portfolio companies via syndicate leads and emerging managers. The firm also fosters a strong community through initiatives like The Promontory and the Emerging Horizons conference series, connecting leading emerging managers and LPs.

Focus and fit

Stages
Pre-seed · Seed · Series A · Growth Equity
Regions
North America · Global

Availability

Currently deploying
Not published

Portfolio and track record

Recorded portfolio count
25

Portfolio context

Notable portfolio companies include: Anduril Industries ($6.13B raised) - a leader in defense technology; FalconX ($427M raised) - a crypto prime brokerage; LeoLabs ($111M raised) - specializing in space domain awareness; Mercury ($420M raised) - a business banking platform; Kompliant ($14M raised) - focused on compliance solutions; AccuKnox ($10.6M raised) - providing zero trust security; and Vectara ($53.5M raised) - an AI/search technology company.

Capability profile

MDSV Capital as a community

Community overview

MDSV Capital is a venture capital organization based in Palo Alto, California, founded by veterans of Silicon Valley with over 20 years of experience in investing and entrepreneurship. The organization focuses on building an ecosystem of emerging manager funds (EMFs) and limited partners (LPs) that actively invest in venture capital.

Community focus

MDSV Capital invests in the top 1% of emerging manager funds, particularly those with less than $100 million in assets under management. The organization employs a strategy called 'Emerging Manager Alpha at Scale,' which aims to deliver balanced exposure to early-stage investments and directly invest in high-growth companies emerging from their portfolios. MDSV focuses on sectors aligned with the current Innovation Supercycle, including artificial intelligence (AI), B2B enterprise, defense technology, deep technology, and the automation economy.

Membership

Pricing models
free

Format and cadence

Modality
in-person
Schedule
rolling-admissions
Commitment
light

Audience and fit

Audience
Investors · Fund Managers
Benefits
network-access
Program types
community and other
Selection criteria
open
Stages
Pre-seed · Seed · Seed+

Community activity

Events and activity

MDSV Capital hosts 'The Promontory,' an invitation-only community of leading emerging managers and LPs, and the 'Emerging Horizons' conference series, which includes quarterly events.

Capability profile

MDSV Capital as an event host

Event focus

MDSV Capital invests in the top 1% of emerging manager funds, particularly those with less than $100 million in assets under management. The organization employs a strategy called 'Emerging Manager Alpha at Scale,' which aims to deliver balanced exposure to early-stage investments and directly invest in high-growth companies emerging from their portfolios. MDSV focuses on sectors aligned with the current Innovation Supercycle, including artificial intelligence (AI), B2B enterprise, defense technology, deep technology, and the automation economy.

Format narrative

MDSV Capital operates as a venture capital firm, focusing on both fund-of-funds investments and direct co-investments into high-performing companies. They are also active community builders through initiatives like The Promontory and the Emerging Horizons conference series.

Participant value

MDSV Capital provides investors with access to a curated selection of emerging manager funds and direct investments in breakout companies, leveraging their extensive network and expertise in the venture capital landscape.

Format and cadence

Event types
summit
Recurrence
quarterly
Modality
in-person
Startups can present
Yes

Availability

Registration state
Not currently accepting

Audience and fit

Selection criteria
invite-only
Stages
Pre-seed · Seed · Series A
Audience
Founders · Investors · Fund Managers

Capability profile

MDSV Capital as a publisher

Editorial focus

MDSV Capital is a venture capital organization that focuses on building an ecosystem of emerging manager funds (EMFs) and limited partners (LPs) that actively invest in venture capital. The firm employs a strategy called 'Emerging Manager Alpha at Scale,' which aims to deliver balanced exposure to early-stage investments and directly invest in high-growth companies emerging from their portfolios.

Audience value

MDSV Capital provides investors with access to the top 1% of emerging manager funds and high-growth companies, leveraging a dual-track investment approach that combines fund investments with direct co-investments in breakout companies.

Format and cadence

Content formats
newsletter
Primary platform
mdsv.vc

Availability

Guest pitch state
Not currently accepting

Audience and focus

Audience
Investors · Fund Managers

Flagship work and coverage

Flagship properties

MDSV Capital operates the 'Emerging Outliers Fund' and hosts the 'Emerging Horizons' conference series, along with a newsletter titled 'Outlier Intelligence.'

Notable coverage

MDSV Capital has been recognized for its innovative investment strategies and community-building efforts within the venture capital ecosystem.

Common questions

What to know about MDSV Capital

Upseed classifies MDSV Capital under the Venture Capital organization type. Its current public profile includes funder, community, event host, and publisher capabilities.

Next step

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Source and update disclosure

Know what this page is based on

Source basis

Public organization and program material, official websites, and structured Upseed records.

Last reviewed

April 23, 2026

Known limits

Capability profiles appear only when a structured public profile also contains decision-useful role evidence. Terms and availability can change.

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