Having once grown an audience by posting investment advice on YouTube, a French businessman has now established a position in venture capital by raising a $12 million fund to invest only in Y Combinator-backed enterprises.
Originally an engineer, Gabriel Jarrosson
That digital credibility then became deal flow. Over many years, Jarrosson created an angel syndicate that invested over $30 million in developing technology companies, mostly graduates of Y Combinator
Lobster Capital, the car, finished above its starting target of $8 million. Intentionally narrow, the fund’s hypothesis will only support companies that have passed through Y Combinator. Jarrosson contends that this emphasis offers built-in filtering since YC’s selection process finds firms with great teams and high potential. Already, the fund has made investments in firms spread across fintech, software-as-a-service, and artificial intelligence. Early players like Jeeves and FlutterFlow, businesses that capture both the variety and aspiration of the accelerator’s alumni base, make up the portfolio.
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The growth of Jarrosson shows how the line between institutionally funded investments and online information is becoming hazy. Developing a following on YouTube helped him create a name that drew few collaborators, reminding us that storytelling and visibility can be important in contemporary venture capital, along with pitch decks and spreadsheets.
Challenges still persist; YC startups have intense competition for allocations, often high valuations, and sustaining consistent returns will challenge Lobster Capital’s model
