Firms in the Philadelphia region raked in $5.2 billion in venture capital funding during the first nine months of 2021, and that pace shows no signs of slowing as the year draws to a close.
Five VC veterans will reflect on the trends emerging and what’s ahead for funding in Greater Philadelphia at a "Connecting with Venture Capitalists" event hosted by the Philadelphia Business Journal and PHL Inno at City Winery Philadelphia on Dec. 2.
The event, led by Business Journal tech reporter Kennedy Rose, will feature a power interview with SeventySix Capital Managing Partner Wayne Kimmel and three-time Super Bowl champion James Develin, a SeventySix Capital investor and member of its Athlete Venture Group.
Following the power interview, Rose will host a panel discussion with three investors well versed in Philadelphia’s VC scene: William Crowder, co-founder of Aperture Venture Capital; Holly Flanagan, managing director of Gabriel Investments; and Emily Foote, a principal as Osage Venture Partners. They will cover a wide range of topics, from pitching to sustaining the funding success of 2021.
Based in Philadelphia, Aperture Venture Capital’s portfolio includes accessories and apparel brand Guyana, personalized career pathing company Landit, barbershop point-of-sale company Squire, and Partpic, a visual recognition technology that was acquired by Amazon, among others. Crowder co-founded Aperture with Garnet Heraman. His work in funding includes serving as managing direct of DreamIt Ventures and as lead investor of Comcast Venture’s Catalyst Fund.
Also located in Philadelphia, Gabriel Investments focuses on business and consumer services, though it doesn’t work exclusively in those sectors. Its portfolio includes Envara Health, which focuses on medical nutrition, as well as online boutique Tuckernuck, Philadelphia-based convenience delivery brand Lula, and more than a half-dozen others. Managing Partner Holly Flanagan has worked in finance for over two decades.
Focused on early-stage business-to-business software, Bala Cynwyd-based Osage Venture Partners has invested in dozens of companies in the space. Foote joined the firm in 2020 as a principal and brings with her varied experience in education, law and technology.
Tickets for Thursday's event can be purchased here until 11 a.m. Wednesday.
