Breaking: Meridian Ventures Launches $35 Million Fund for MBA-Deferred Founders
Meridian Ventures has announced a new $35 million fund dedicated to backing founders who deferred their MBA programs to launch startups. The fund will exclusively invest in enterprise technology companies based in the United States, according to co-founder Devon Gethers.
“We are agnostic to sector but focused on enterprise tech,” Gethers said in an interview. “We’ve already deployed capital across fintech, logistics, healthcare, and, of course, AI.”
The fund marks a targeted bet on the rising trend of business school deferrals, where students postpone enrollment to pursue entrepreneurial ventures. Meridian aims to fill a gap in early-stage financing for such founders.
Background
MBA-deferred programs have gained popularity over the past decade, allowing admitted students to secure their spot while they work or start companies. However, many find traditional venture capital inaccessible due to lack of a track record.
Meridian Ventures, founded by Devon Gethers and his team, has historically invested in pre-seed and seed-stage startups. This new fund specifically targets those who have deferred their MBA, providing capital, mentorship, and network access.
The firm has already made several investments from the fund, including in a fintech startup and a healthcare logistics platform. Gethers emphasized that the portfolio remains sector-agnostic within enterprise technology.
What This Means
For aspiring entrepreneurs with deferred MBA offers, this fund creates a clear path to funding while their business ideas are still nascent. It signals that venture capitalists are willing to bet on talent over resume credentials.
Industry experts view the move as a strategic differentiation in a crowded early-stage market. “By focusing on a specific founder profile, Meridian can offer tailored support that generalist funds cannot,” said Sarah Chen, a partner at early-stage VC firm Beacon Capital. “This could improve success rates for these founders.”
The fund also reflects broader trends in venture capital toward specialization. As competition for deals intensifies, funds that niche down often generate higher returns and stronger founder loyalty, analysts note.
Gethers confirmed that Meridian plans to close the fund at $35 million and will deploy it over the next two to three years. “We want to be the first call for anyone who says ‘I’m deferring my MBA to build something big in enterprise tech,’” he said.