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Next Coast Ventures

Austin, TX · Invests in US · Website

SeedSeries AConsumer Apps & SocialE-commerce & MarketplacesB2B SaaSAI & Machine LearningFintechHealthcare & BiotechEnterprise SoftwareHealthcare & Digital HealthFintech & PaymentsHR Tech & Future of Work

Thesis

Built for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs — NCV invests thematically in Next Coast markets (Austin, Midwest, Mountain West) at the Seed/Series A inflection point. They back glass-eating founders building category-defining companies in large markets, providing capital plus hands-on company building support via their 150+ expert network.

Likely not a fit for

Avoids purely coastal (SF/NY) companies without connection to Next Coast ecosystems; avoids deep technology/hardware without software leverage; typically does not invest post-Series B without prior portfolio relationship.

How they invest

Lead or follow
Usually leads
Typical decision
~1 month
Warm intro
Not required
Involvement
Takes a board seat
Fund status
Actively deploying
Assets under mgmt
$520M
Decision process
Partnership vote

Partners & team

11 contacts on file

AR

Adam Rogers

Venture PartnerVenture Partner · Primary contact

+ Pitch

a•••@ne•••.com

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KD

Kaitlyn Debernardo

Platform & OpsPartner, COO & Head of Platform

+ Pitch

k•••@ne•••.com

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MS

Mike Smerklo

General PartnerCo-Founder and Managing Director

+ Pitch

m•••@ne•••.com

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TB

Thomas Ball

General PartnerCo-Founder and Managing Director

+ Pitch

t•••@ne•••.com

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JD

Julie Dodd

Venture PartnerVenture Partner

+ Pitch

j•••@ne•••.com

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PR

Paul Rogers

Venture PartnerVenture Partner

+ Pitch

p•••@ne•••.com

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BS

Brian Sharples

Venture PartnerVenture Partner

+ Pitch

b•••@ne•••.com

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CC

Cotter Cunningham

Venture PartnerVenture Partner

+ Pitch

c•••@ne•••.com

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JC

Julian Castelli

Venture PartnerVenture Partner

+ Pitch

j•••@ne•••.com

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JD

Jason Dorsey

Venture PartnerVenture Partner

+ Pitch

j•••@ne•••.com

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SM

Scott Miller

Venture PartnerVenture Partner (EIR)

+ Pitch

s•••@ne•••.com

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Portfolio

FondoEnterprise Software

Fondo is an all-in-one accounting platform for startups, providing services such as bookkeeping, corporate tax filing, and tax credits management, allowing founders to focus on building their companies.

Frontrow Health
GalileoTravel Hospitality

Galileo by Travelport manages travel transactions, including credit card authorizations, flight services, and ticketing on its platform. It provides support for various services like cabin releases and session sign-on.

Goja HoldingsEcommerce Marketplaces

Goja Holdings is a leading innovator in eCommerce, specializing in building and scaling consumer brands, backed by major investors. It leverages technology and data to create high-demand products and has extensive experience in the Amazon marketplace.

GoodkindManufacturing Industrial

Goodkind is a contract manufacturer specializing in personal care products, focusing on customer satisfaction and sustainability. They emphasize trust and partnership with their clients, offering both scaled manufacturing and small-run production.

GrazzyFintech Payments

Grazzy offers a digital tipping platform that allows customers to tip service employees quickly and easily, enhancing employee earnings and retention while ensuring tax compliance and reporting.

Haul
Hip eCommerceEcommerce Marketplaces

Hip eCommerce operates marketplaces specifically designed for collectibles, allowing buyers and sellers to connect and engage with their hobbies. They provide tailored services and tools to enhance the buying and selling experience for various collectible categories.

AbleFintech Payments

Able is a financial services company providing online solutions through its platform.

AcadeumEdtech

Acadeum helps colleges and universities quickly expand academic portfolios with in-demand certifications, courses, programs, and degrees to attract and retain learners along the education-career continuum.

aceable.comEdtech

Aceable is an educational technology company specializing in online courses and mobile education, focusing on accessible and engaging content.

AclaimantEnterprise Software

Aclaimant provides active risk management solutions, focusing on improving workplace safety and reducing risks through innovative technology.

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Research briefRead more
Next Coast Ventures Research Investment Thesis Next Coast Ventures is an Austin-based venture capital firm founded in 2015 by Mike Smerklo and Thomas Ball under the ethos "Built for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs." Both founders are serial operators and entrepreneurs who believe the best VC partners are those who have built companies themselves. The firm invests in "Next Coast" markets — high-gro

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