Venture capital is a pillar in the business industry, as it serves as the fuel to ignite a start-up business. However, the industry is evolving and modern times have called for modern strategies. Consequently, its structures have been rebuilt, familiar terms have gained new meanings, and ecosystems continue to expand.
On this episode of The BARE Ventures Podcast, Samir Vig introduces founder and partner of Story Ventures, Jake Yormak. Yormak’s experience and expertise provide clarity on the current state of the world of venture capital. Vig and Yormak discuss the key details within this broad topic.
Story Ventures: How Jake Yormak Found his Passion
A former New York-based lawyer at Cravath, Swaine & Moore, Yormak focused on mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, and leveraged finance. Transitioning to another firm, Gunderson Dettmer, his focus shifted to early-stage startup tech companies.
After Yormak noticed the city’s industry environment evolving from the corporate world to the tech world, he started Story Ventures with his brother, Brian Yormak. Just shy of six years ago, Story Ventures was established.
The Focus of Story Ventures
Story Ventures is an early stage venture fund that invests in entrepreneurs with big visions that leverage technology and the proliferation of data to change the way people interact with the world. Targeted sectors include cybersecurity, energy infrastructure, telecom, payments, lending, computer processing, data analytics/visualization, autonomous vehicles/connected car, computer vision, and urban infrastructure.
In short, they aim to fund companies that will excel in and change their target sectors.
Data Automation: The Increase of Investors and its Evolvement
A key influence on launching Story Ventures was the lack of data and automotive technology investors in New York City. However, that has changed.
“It’s still in the early days…specifically outside the bay area,” Yormak states.
Venture capital has grown...
