Samir Kaji

Samir Kaji is the CEO and co-founder of Allocate, a platform designed to democratize access to private fund investing. With over 20 years of experience in the venture capital and private equity sectors, Kaji has a robust background in venture banking, having previously held significant roles at Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and First Republic Bank. At SVB, he was involved in early-stage growth capital and worked closely with numerous venture-backed startups, including notable companies like LinkedIn and Meraki. He later led a team at First Republic that focused on private funds and venture-backed startups, advising over 700 firms and completing more than $12 billion in debt transactions.124

Kaji holds a finance degree from San Jose State University and an MBA from Santa Clara University. He is also a Kauffman Fellow, which is a prestigious program aimed at developing future leaders in the venture capital industry. In addition to his role at Allocate, he is an active writer and podcaster, hosting "Venture Unlocked," where he shares insights on the venture capital landscape and interviews industry leaders.234

Allocate aims to enhance the private market investing experience by providing investors with better access to high-quality institutional funds, thereby breaking down barriers that traditionally limit participation in this asset class. Kaji's vision for Allocate is to empower a wider range of investors with the tools and knowledge necessary to navigate the complexities of private market investments.124