Von Crow, co-founder of MVP Capital, shares his journey from growing up in Newark to raising $80 million for his venture capital firm focused on AI enterprise software, emphasizing the importance of backing resilient founders with deep industry knowledge. Known as “the connector,” Von leverages relationships to support entrepreneurs and is excited about AI’s potential to transform legacy industries, seeking founders who build responsibly and solve real problems.
Von Crow, co-founder and managing partner of MVP Capital, shares his journey from growing up in Newark, New Jersey, to raising $80 million for his early-stage venture capital firm focused on AI enterprise software companies. MVP Capital, formerly known as Newark Venture Partners, has rebranded to reflect its broader North American focus beyond Newark. The firm manages $200 million in assets across two funds and aims to invest in 25 to 30 companies, with about $30 to $40 million in dry powder remaining to deploy. Von emphasizes the importance of backing founders with grit, resilience, and deep knowledge of their industries, particularly in under-digitized sectors like financial services, healthcare, and industrial verticals.
Von reflects on his upbringing in Newark, highlighting the rich history and challenges of his community. He credits his parents for instilling values of hard work and perseverance. A pivotal moment in his youth was a high school history class where he learned about the stock market, sparking a lifelong interest in investing. Although he regrets not investing $500 he earned at a summer camp back in 1996, he stresses the lesson that it’s never too late to start investing and encourages taking calculated risks. This mindset has shaped his approach to venture capital and personal finance.
After college, Von’s career path was marked by adaptability and persistence. Initially aiming to play football at Colgate University, an injury shifted his focus to academics. Entering the job market during a tough economic period, he started in insurance before reaching out to Newark businessman Ray Chambers for advice. This connection led to a 15-year tenure in Chambers’ family office, where Von honed his investment skills and learned the value of relationships, excellence, and taking initiative. This experience laid the foundation for launching MVP Capital with his partner Dan Borac.
Von is known as “the connector” for his ability to leverage relationships and networks to benefit founders and investors alike. He believes in making one plus one equal three by unlocking the power of human connectivity. For founders considering MVP Capital, Von emphasizes the firm’s commitment to doing what they say, providing not just capital but also expertise and access to a broad corporate network. This approach has helped MVP build trust and attract promising entrepreneurs in the competitive venture capital landscape.
Looking ahead, Von is excited about the transformative potential of AI across various legacy industries such as legal, manufacturing, and healthcare. He uses AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Granola daily and encourages founders to focus on solving real problems rather than chasing trends. MVP Capital seeks fearless founders with “earned secrets” in their fields who are building responsibly and aiming to create massive impact. Von’s story is one of resilience, connection, and a deep commitment to community and innovation, positioning MVP Capital as a key player in the AI-driven future of enterprise software.