Unorthodox Ventures

Unorthodox Ventures, based in Austin, Texas, distinguishes itself from traditional venture capital firms by operating as a "venture operating company." Co-founded in 2019 by the legendary entrepreneur John Paul DeJoria, known for co-founding Paul Mitchell and Patrón Tequila, and his son Scott DeJoria, the firm brings a wealth of hands-on operational experience to its portfolio companies. Their unique approach emphasizes deep, long-term partnerships, focusing on helping small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) and disruptive startups build enduring and endearing brands. They are not merely capital providers but active partners committed to fostering growth and market presence.

The firm's investment philosophy centers on investing in people and proven concepts rather than just business plans. They seek out companies with strong leadership, a demonstrated product or service, and significant growth potential. Unorthodox Ventures is particularly interested in businesses that can benefit from their extensive expertise in branding, marketing, distribution, and operational scaling. This hands-on involvement is a cornerstone of their strategy, aiming to transform promising ventures into market leaders through strategic guidance and direct support.

Unorthodox Ventures typically provides initial investments ranging from $1 million to $10 million, positioning them to support a wide array of early-stage to growth-stage companies. Beyond capital, their value proposition includes direct access to a network of seasoned professionals and the strategic acumen derived from building multi-billion dollar brands. They are committed to cultivating long-term relationships, working closely with founders to navigate challenges and capitalize on opportunities, ensuring their portfolio companies not only survive but thrive and establish a lasting market presence.