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Endeavor Catalyst Raises $320M for Founders Outside Major Tech Hubs
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In Short: Endeavor Catalyst, the venture arm of New York-based nonprofit Endeavor, has raised $320 million to support founders outside major tech hubs.
Endeavor Catalyst, the venture arm of New York-based nonprofit Endeavor, has raised $320 million to support founders outside major tech hubs. The fund, which has now amassed over $850 million in total assets under management, aims to provide capital to entrepreneurs in over 50 countries.
The network, which has more than 3,100 entrepreneurs, offers support through its extensive mentoring and networking resources. Allen Taylor, a 20-year veteran of the organization, and Jackie Carmel, who joined 12 years ago, lead the 16-person team managing the fund.
Endeavor Catalyst can join rounds led by other institutional investors when a founder's company raises at least $5 million. The fund's investment typically ranges from $1 million to $3 million and cannot exceed 10% of the round.
Co-founder Linda Rottenberg explained that half of the fund’s profits go back to Endeavor, helping to support the next generation of founders building elsewhere. This model ensures that the fund's success benefits future entrepreneurs in the network.
The raise is particularly timely as more venture capital firms focus on AI companies in Silicon Valley, potentially overlooking founders in other regions. Taylor noted that roughly 14% of the fourth fund went to second companies started by Endeavor founders at the seed or Series A stage.
Endeavor Catalyst also benefits from backing by its own founders, with about 30% of its backers being Endeavor founders themselves, including those from Nubank, Revolut, and Checkout.com. This network effect enhances the fund's ability to identify and support promising startups.
Access to Endeavor’s network is competitive, with the organization screening over 10,000 candidates last year and selecting just 88. This rigorous selection process ensures that only the most promising founders gain access to the network's resources.
Endeavor Catalyst's approach stands out in a market where venture capital is increasingly concentrated in major tech hubs like San Francisco. By focusing on founders 'elsewhere,' the fund aims to foster innovation and growth in diverse regions around the world.
Background
San Francisco, officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the fourth-most populous city in California and the 17th-most populous in the United States, with a population of 826,079 in 2025. Among U.S. cities with a population of 300,000 or more, San Francisco is ranked first by per capita income, second by population density, and sixth by aggregate income as of 2024.
What's still developing
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- The official general partner, though, is Endeavor itself.
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