Marlon Nichols

Esteemed Investor Recognized for Impact in Technology and Diversity

Marlon C. Nichols is a prominent venture capitalist and entrepreneur, currently serving as the co-founder and managing partner at MaC Venture Capital, a seed-stage venture capital firm. He has a strong commitment to investing in visionary founders, particularly those from BIPOC and female backgrounds, and focuses on companies that are poised to drive significant cultural and consumer behavior shifts.1 3 4

Background and Career

Before establishing MaC Venture Capital, Nichols co-founded Cross Culture Ventures, where he led efforts to identify and support game-changing entrepreneurs. His career also includes a significant role as an Investment Director at Intel Capital, where he was involved in launching a $120 million diversity fund aimed at increasing representation in venture capital.1 2 3

Nichols has an extensive portfolio that includes investments in notable companies such as Blavity, Gimlet Media, and MongoDB. His approach to investing is informed by his keen insight into global trends and consumer behavior, which he leverages to accelerate the growth of startups.1 2 3

Education and Recognition

Nichols is a Kauffman Fellow, a prestigious program dedicated to developing future leaders in venture capital. He holds an MBA from Cornell University, where he was a Roy H. Park Leadership Fellow. His contributions to the field have earned him numerous accolades, including being named one of Pitchbook’s "25 Black Founders and VCs to Watch" for several consecutive years and receiving the SXSW Innovator of the Year award in 2018.1 2 3 4

Personal Philosophy

Marlon Nichols emphasizes the importance of diversity and inclusion in venture capital, advocating for greater representation of underrepresented groups in the industry. He believes that personal experiences can serve as a superpower for entrepreneurs, particularly those from diverse backgrounds, enabling them to address unique challenges within their communities.2 3

Overall, Nichols is recognized not only for his investment acumen but also for his commitment to fostering a more inclusive and equitable venture capital landscape.

Highlights

Nov 22 · TechCrunch

StoreCash’s new app lets you instantly earn cash back at stores

Nov 19 · TechCrunch

Marlon Nichols talks relationship building in the African markets

Jun 3 · labusinessjournal.com

LA500 2024: Marlon Nichols - Los Angeles Business Journal

Nov 9 · business.cornell.edu

Venture capitalist Marlon Nichols invests in diverse, visionary founders

Education

May 2013, a two-year program for promising venture investors, Kauffman Fellowship includes professional coaching, mentoring, and a leadership curriculum in Palo Alto, California.