Drive Capital
Columbus-based venture firm investing in Midwest technology companies across software and consumer.
Drive takes massive ownership stakes - around 30% on average versus typical Valley 10% - and in 20% of their portfolio, they're the sole venture investor across all rounds. Olsen runs a deliberately contrarian strategy targeting realistic $3B exits rather than chasing unicorns, which actually works better for returns. They've had spectacular failures (Olive AI raised $900M at $4B valuation before fire sale) but also massive wins (Duolingo at $18B market cap). The 2022 co-founder split created internal drama but may have strengthened the firm under Olsen's focused leadership. Founders outside Silicon Valley "have a higher bar" and "have to be a better business to earn a venture investment" - so if you're not coastal, they actually get you.
- —Best for: Non-coastal founders who want high-conviction investors with massive ownership stakes
- —Watch out for: They take 30% stakes and expect to be your primary (often only) VC partner
- —Known for: Contrarian strategy targeting realistic exits, not unicorn hunting like coastal VCs
Drive believes the best advantages are the ones you already have. Build where your talent is. Build where your customers are. They target the "Driveway" region from Hudson River to Rocky Mountains, investing in what they call "America's most compelling emerging market for venture capital."
They claim to be stage agnostic, preferring to journey with portfolio companies from start to finish. In practice, they make 41 Series A investments ($13.4M average), 21 Series B ($26.7M average), and 20 seed ($5.91M average). They focus on business products & services, consumer products & services, financial services, healthcare, IT, life sciences, mobile, cybersecurity, robotics, and AI/ML sectors across the Midwest.
Co-founded Drive with Mark Kvamme in 2013, both formerly of Sequoia Capital. After Kvamme's departure in 2022, Olsen became sole managing partner. Founders praise his commitment - one said "If we said we're in, we're in" during the 2020 market crash.
Former Sequoia Capital partner with extensive background including Apple France founding member, CKS Group CEO, and Ohio economic development roles. Left Drive in 2022 to launch Ohio Fund focused on broader economic development including real estate and infrastructure. Also notable as a sports car racing driver and team owner.
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