ff Venture Capital Announces New Strategic Hire, Promotes Seven and Adds to Portfolio

Andrew Buemi Joins as Director of Communications and Ryan Armbrust Promoted to Managing Director; Ten Companies Added to ffVC’s Portfolio

NEW YORK--()--ff Venture Capital (“ffVC”), one of the top performing seed- and early-stage venture capital firms in the U.S., announced today that Andrew Buemi has joined as Director of Communications and seven in the firm have been promoted, including Ryan Armbrust to Managing Director. The firm also announced the addition of ten new companies to the portfolio in 2015:

  • The Better Software Company provides fully integrated software solutions for small businesses.
  • cielo24 provides searchable captions, media data and insights for the education, enterprise, and entertainment markets.
  • Drop Loyalty is a mobile-first intelligent rewards platform targeting the millennial demographic.
  • FounderSuite helps startups with fundraising, PR, IR and more, with an extensive Startup Docs collection and recently launched FoundersMarket (curated deals).
  • OneMove connects moving and transportation companies to facilitate high-quality, long distance moves.
  • Opencare is a data-driven doctor recommendation engine that matches you with the ideal doctor who will deliver the best health outcomes.
  • Staffly instantly connects retailers with screened, insured, and trained staffers through their mobile devices.
  • Sure delivers on-demand insurance focused on micro-duration policies and personal property.
  • Top Flight Technologies develops Unmanned Aircraft Vehicles (UAVs) focused on extended flight time and enhanced payload capabilities.
  • Wade & Wendy brings artificial intelligence to the HR/recruiting space.

“We’re pleased to welcome Andrew to lead the communications function at our firm and help drive awareness of our portfolio companies,” said John Frankel, ffVC’s founding partner. “The newest companies in our portfolio represent some of the most exciting early-stage companies across a range of industries, with the potential to become the leaders in their category.”

In his new role, Buemi will lead strategic communications efforts for ffVC as well as work closely with portfolio companies in their public relations, branding, marketing, and related initiatives. Buemi joins ffVC from Edelman NY’s Financial Services practice, where he led strategic media relations campaigns for a range of financial, technology, and professional services firms. Previously, Buemi worked in Weber Shandwick’s Corporate Issues & Crisis Management practice, helping clients navigate a range of special situations in the media.

“I’m thrilled to be joining ffVC and look forward to enhancing the firm’s communications efforts,” said Buemi. “In an increasingly crowded early-stage venture capital space, ffVC stands apart for its top-quartile performance, its ‘acceleration team’ of 20+ investment and operations professionals, and a portfolio of some of the most promising companies in the world.”

A key promotion within the firm includes Ryan Armbrust to Managing Director. Since joining ffVC in 2012, Armbrust has been an integral adviser and director to many of the firm’s portfolio companies, providing guidance on product marketing, strategic partnerships, recruiting, and growth acceleration practices.

“We recognize the outstanding work of Ryan and his colleagues on the acceleration team, all of whom exemplify our strategy of being hands-on investors in every aspect of company building,” said Frankel. “We bring an order of magnitude more resources than any venture capital firm of our size, which will continue to add value to our portfolio companies and our investors.”

Other newly announced promotions include core members of ffVC’s acceleration team: Paul Bianco, Director; Rich Duda, Director, Fund Accounting; David Frankel, Senior Associate; Andrew Kangpan, Associate; and Steven Greenberg, Associate.

About ff Venture Capital

ff Venture Capital (“ffVC”) is one of the best performing seed- and early-stage venture capital firms in the U.S. With investments in UAVs, smart locks, cloud-based security, machine learning, enterprise software and crowdfunding, ffVC identifies and invests in technology and technology-enabled companies at their inception – across geographies and emerging industries. With five partners and an acceleration team of 20+ investment and operations professionals, ffVC actively participates with founders to develop products, target markets and accelerate growth. Since 2008, ffVC has invested in 80+ companies and created aggregate market value exceeding $2.5 billion.

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Contacts

ff Venture Capital
Andrew Buemi, 646-350-3954
ab@ffvc.com

Release Summary

ff Venture Capital Announces New Strategic Hire, Promotes Seven and Adds to Portfolio

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Contacts

ff Venture Capital
Andrew Buemi, 646-350-3954
ab@ffvc.com