EJF Capital LLC, a global alternative asset management firm based in Arlington, Virginia, has successfully closed its EJF Ventures Fund LP with capital commitments valued at approximately $104 million. The fund received support from both new and returning investors.
EJF Ventures focuses primarily on investing in early-stage financial technology companies developing products with the potential for widespread adoption in the financial services industry. The fund’s focus areas include blockchain infrastructure, banking technology and software for asset management and capital markets. Additionally, EJF Ventures provides strategic guidance and capital to startups innovating in areas such as real-time payments, data analytics, risk management and customer acquisition.
Neal J. Wilson, co-founder and co-CEO of EJF, commented on the fund’s mission, saying, “EJF Ventures aims to support top entrepreneurs who are redefining today’s financial system and global commerce.” He further highlighted the firm’s unique position, leveraging EJF Capital’s extensive expertise and global connections to enhance the fund’s investment sourcing and execution capabilities.
Jonathan Bresler, Managing Partner of EJF Ventures, highlighted the ongoing transformation in the financial services industry driven by data. He noted: “This transformation presents attractive opportunities for early-stage investments to deliver long-term capital growth.” Bresler expressed his enthusiasm about the potential of blockchain technologies and the rapid innovation in core technology of banking and capital markets.
Since its inception in January 2022, the EJF Ventures Fund has invested in twelve early-stage companies in the US, UK and Israel. These companies operate in various subsectors of the financial services industry, including payment infrastructure and consumer financial services.
Founded in 2005 by Manny Friedman and Neal Wilson, EJF Capital manages assets of approximately $6.6 billion as of June 30, 2023. The firm has a global presence with offices in London, England and Shanghai, China.
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