VAS Ventures

VAS Ventures operates as the early-stage investment vehicle led by renowned entrepreneur Martin Varsavsky. The fund targets visionary founders who demonstrate both innovative thinking and the boldness required to transform industries. With a focus on disruptive technologies and scalable business models, VAS Ventures provides not just capital but strategic guidance drawn from decades of entrepreneurial experience. Martin's approach combines financial investment with mentorship, creating a unique value proposition for portfolio companies.

Martin Varsavsky brings exceptional credentials as the fund's principal, having established himself as a serial entrepreneur with five major successes under his belt. His ventures include telecommunications pioneers Viatel and Jazztel, internet service provider Ya.com, WiFi network company Fon, and fertility venture Prelude. Particularly notable is his track record of substantial exits, with three of his founded companies—Viatel, Jazztel, and Ya.com—each achieving valuations exceeding $700 million. Beyond his entrepreneurial endeavors, Varsavsky shares his expertise as a professor of entrepreneurship at Columbia Business School.

The investment portfolio of VAS Ventures reflects Martin's keen eye for transformative technologies across diverse sectors. His previous investments include groundbreaking companies such as genetic testing pioneer 23andMe, renewable energy developer Eolia, IoT innovator SmartThings, social media platform Tumblr, and biotech firm Aura Biosciences. This diverse portfolio demonstrates the fund's flexibility in identifying promising opportunities across healthcare, clean energy, consumer technology, and life sciences. The common thread among these investments appears to be technologies with potential for significant societal impact and substantial market disruption.

What distinguishes VAS Ventures from typical investment funds is its hands-on mentoring approach directly from Martin Varsavsky himself. Portfolio companies gain access to his extensive operational knowledge, industry connections, and strategic insights—resources particularly valuable for early-stage ventures navigating critical growth challenges. This mentorship encompasses product development guidance, market entry strategies, scaling operations, and fundraising support. For founders seeking not just financial backing but also experienced entrepreneurial guidance, VAS Ventures offers a compelling partnership that leverages Martin's proven ability to build and scale successful global businesses.