Nomad Ventures

Nomad Fund, often associated with "Nomad Ventures" in the venture community, is a Los Angeles-based early-stage venture capital firm distinguished by its founders' deep operational experience within prominent marketplace and tech companies. Co-founded by brothers Ben Laufer and Jonathan Laufer, the firm leverages their backgrounds from industry giants like Uber, Uber Eats, OpenDoor, and Bird. This unique vantage point allows Nomad Fund to not only provide capital but also offer invaluable strategic guidance and operational insights to their portfolio companies, primarily focusing on the complex dynamics of marketplace businesses.

Launched with a debut fund of $20 million, closed in December 2021, Nomad Fund is specifically geared towards pre-seed and seed-stage investments. The firm typically writes first checks ranging from $250,000 to $1 million, positioning itself as a crucial early partner for nascent startups. Their investment thesis centers on identifying and nurturing marketplace models that demonstrate strong network effects and scalable potential. The Laufer brothers' hands-on approach is a core tenet of their investment strategy, providing founders with direct access to seasoned operators who have navigated the challenges of scaling high-growth tech companies.

Nomad Fund has quickly built a diverse portfolio, having made over 25 investments since its inception, including early bets on notable companies such as Snackpass, Curtsy, and Instacart. Their focus extends across various sectors within the marketplace economy, from consumer-facing platforms to B2B solutions. By concentrating on early-stage opportunities and leveraging their operational expertise, Nomad Fund aims to be more than just a capital provider, striving to be a true partner that helps founders build robust, defensible marketplace businesses from the ground up.