
AFSquare
Description
AFSquare is an investment and management company founded in 2010 by prominent entrepreneur and music industry veteran Troy Carter. Based in Culver City, California, the firm's mission is to identify and invest in companies whose business models are poised to disrupt the status quo, particularly across the technology, media, and entertainment sectors. Leveraging Carter's extensive network and strategic insights from his background managing artists like Lady Gaga and John Legend, AFSquare has positioned itself as an early-stage investor with a keen eye for transformative ventures.
The firm has built a notable portfolio by participating in the early funding rounds of several now-household names. According to Crunchbase, AFSquare has made approximately 20 investments, with a focus on high-growth startups. Key investments include early stakes in ride-sharing giant Uber, music streaming leader Spotify, cloud storage pioneer Dropbox, eyewear disruptor Warby Parker, and fitness platform ClassPass. These investments highlight AFSquare's strategy of backing innovative companies that redefine their respective industries.
While AFSquare operates as an investment vehicle, its approach often combines strategic guidance with capital, reflecting Troy Carter's hands-on philosophy. The firm's activity appears to have been most prominent in the early to mid-2010s, with its last publicly reported investment on Crunchbase dating back to 2017. AFSquare's impact stems from its ability to identify and support groundbreaking companies at their nascent stages, contributing to their growth through both financial backing and strategic mentorship.
Investor Profile
AFSquare has backed more than 44 startups, with 0 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 1 rounds, about 2% of its total and boasts 27 exits across its portfolio.
Investment Focus Highlights
- Concentrates on Seed, Series A, Series Unknown rounds (top funding stages).
- Majority of deals are located in United States, Australia, United Kingdom.
- Strong thematic focus on Software, Social Media, Music.
Stage Focus
- Seed (41%)
- Series A (25%)
- Series Unknown (11%)
- Series B (9%)
- Angel (7%)
- Debt Financing (5%)
- Series E (2%)
Country Focus
- United States (84%)
- Australia (5%)
- United Kingdom (2%)
- Sweden (2%)
- Israel (2%)
- Brazil (2%)
- Canada (2%)
Industry Focus
- Software
- Social Media
- Music
- Mobile
- E-commerce
- Enterprise Software
- Mobile Apps
- Apps
- Advertising
- Saas
Frequently Asked Questions
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