Welcome back to Consumer Startups.
A short announcement post this week :)
Read time: 57 seconds
I joined a16z as a scout earlier this year and have already written checks into five early-stage startups, from an AI matchmaking app to a UX design tool. I’m looking to back a few more founders before the year wraps.
Specifically, I want to invest in the most promising startups from right here, inside the Consumer Startups community!
What I bring to the table
If we work together, here’s what you can expect:
$10–50K check after a single 30–45 minute Zoom call (decision < 7 days).
Dedicated feature in this newsletter to share your story with 30,000+ founders and investors.
Warm intros to VCs in my network, where it makes sense.
Lifelong friendship, not just a line on your cap table!
My investment philosophy: mission + people
1/ The mission
Before I get excited about a startup, I have to get excited about the mission. I want to understand the future you’re building and why it matters. I am drawn to ambitious founders who are looking to change the world in a meaningful way. Selfishly, I want to be a small part of that journey.
2/ The people
Over the past five years, I’ve had the privilege of interviewing some of the best founders in the world, like Anton Asika (Lovable) and Jannick Malling (Public). Through those conversations and my own time building, I’ve developed a rough thesis on what makes a founder special.
I look for founders who are:
Historians of their space. You have an encyclopedic understanding of your industry. You know who tried before you, why they failed, and why now is the right moment.
Magnetic. You have a gravitational pull. Great people want to work with you, and you can attract talent that seems “out of your league” on paper.
Deeply passionate. You’re not just fixing a bug in the world; you’re on a mission. You have a sharp, unusual insight and you’re relentlessly committed to it.
Proven winners. You’ve reached the top of the ladder in something before: a sport, a hobby, a job, a side project. You know what it feels like to operate at the 0.01% level.
Focused. You know exactly what matters right now and you’re locked in on hitting the next set of milestones.
I invest from pre-seed to Series A and am industry-agnostic, though I spend most of my time in AI.
How to get in touch
Send me an email at [email protected] and mention Consumer Startups Reader in your subject line.
I read every single email and will guarantee a response within 7 days.
It's time to build,
Leo
P.S. me at the a16z NYC office last week
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