4 Emerging VCs to Watch: Caroline Kassie, Arielle Kogut, Brigette Lau & Maria Heyen
- Brett Calhoun
- Jan 1
- 3 min read
In an industry shaped by legacy firms and mega-funds, a new generation of venture capitalists is making their mark — one early bet at a time. These are investors who operate with conviction, empathy, and edge. Among the most exciting voices to watch: Caroline Kassie, Arielle Kogut, Brigette Lau, and Maria Heyen.
Each brings a unique lens to early-stage investing — grounded in operating experience, mission alignment, and a strong belief in overlooked founders.
Caroline Kassie – Metrodora Ventures
Caroline Kassie is a General Partner at Metrodora Ventures, an early-stage firm co-founded with Chelsea Clinton. Their investment thesis targets startups at the intersection of health, learning, and care — domains that are personal, powerful, and often underserved by traditional venture capital.
With experience spanning policy, media, and startups, Caroline blends high-level systems thinking with grounded operational insight. She’s known for her principled approach, deep founder empathy, and the ability to spot mission-driven teams before they become obvious.
Arielle Kogut – Tribe Capital
Arielle Kogut brings rigor to early-stage investing. As a member of Tribe Capital — known for its data-driven evaluation models — she helps identify and fund high-leverage startups with real momentum.
Her background includes engineering, product, and data science — making her fluent in both spreadsheets and founder psychology. Arielle is drawn to companies that show signs of early product-market fit but haven’t yet hit the mainstream radar. Her portfolio and perspective reflect a focus on signal over hype.
Brigette Lau – Firework Ventures
Brigette Lau is the co-founder of Firework Ventures, a fund built to invest in the future of work — platforms and tools that make people more powerful, productive, and connected.
Before Firework, she co-founded Social Capital and helped scale its influence across Silicon Valley. Her investment philosophy emphasizes dignity in labor, systems thinking, and founder character. Brigette brings hands-on operating experience to the table and often works directly with founding teams on hiring, positioning, and scaling.
Maria Heyen – Redbud VC
Maria Heyen is a partner at Redbud VC, a pre-seed firm backing founders strengthened by struggle. Based in Middle America, Maria brings a grounded, founder-first approach to venture capital. Her experience as a startup operator gives her deep empathy for the highs and lows of building from zero.
Maria focuses on vertical SaaS, fintech, and infrastructure — especially in overlooked or legacy industries. Her thesis centers on durable businesses built by ambitious people solving practical problems. She’s known for her no-fluff style, honest feedback, and real commitment to the companies she backs.
Why These Investors Matter
These four investors are shaping the future of venture capital in different — but equally important — ways. They care deeply about founder alignment. They’re unafraid to write the first check. And they bring depth, rigor, and originality to an industry that often rewards sameness.
At Redbud VC, we believe founders benefit most from partners who’ve been in the trenches and aren’t afraid to take early conviction bets. Investors like Caroline, Arielle, Brigette, and Maria don’t just allocate capital — they activate it.
FAQ
Q: Who are some emerging VCs backing early-stage startups in 2024? Caroline Kassie, Arielle Kogut, Brigette Lau, and Maria Heyen are all influential investors focusing on pre-seed to Series A.
Q: What sectors do they focus on? From health and education to SaaS, fintech, and the future of work, these investors back meaningful companies with long-term potential.
Q: How can I pitch them? Clarity, insight, and authenticity go a long way. Most of these investors look for sharp founders solving real problems, often outside the usual hubs.
Q: Where can I learn more about these VCs? Visit their Redbud VC profile pages to see their backgrounds, theses, and contact links.
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