Adjacent

Adjacent is a New York City-based early-stage venture capital firm founded by Nico Wittenborn, known for its distinctive investment philosophy centered on "exploring the adjacent." The firm primarily targets pre-seed and seed-stage companies, often serving as the very first institutional investor. Adjacent seeks out founders who are building innovative solutions at the intersection of technology and culture, identifying opportunities that leverage existing platforms or create new categories adjacent to established markets.

The firm's investment thesis is deeply rooted in identifying companies that exhibit strong product-led growth and have the potential to cultivate robust communities around their offerings. Adjacent has a particular interest in sectors such as fintech, SaaS, and consumer platforms, backing companies that are poised to disrupt or redefine their respective industries. Their approach involves a hands-on partnership with founders, providing strategic guidance beyond just capital.

Adjacent typically deploys initial checks ranging from $500,000 to $2 million. For instance, reports from December 2021 indicated initial checks often falling between $500,000 and $1.5 million. The firm has successfully raised multiple funds, including a $100 million Fund III, which closed in late 2021, demonstrating significant capital resources to support its investment strategy. This capital allows Adjacent to make meaningful early-stage commitments and follow-on investments in promising portfolio companies.

Adjacent has built an impressive portfolio of high-growth companies, including early investments in prominent startups like Superhuman, Substack, Ramp, and Mercury. These investments underscore Adjacent's ability to identify and back future market leaders at their nascent stages. The firm's focus on supporting founders who are "exploring the adjacent" reflects a forward-thinking strategy aimed at capturing value from emerging trends and technological shifts.