Context:
Last week was our annual general meeting (AGM) with our LPs—the institutions and individuals who’ve put their trust (and capital) into Slow. If you’ve ever managed a fund, you know AGMs are basically our Super Bowl: equal parts stressful and energizing, with a mad dash of prep followed by a few deeply rewarding days with our team and partners. This year was extra special—it marked the 10th anniversary of Slow’s main fund. That milestone meant a lot of the conversation was “decade in review” mode: how we’ve evolved, what we’ve learned, and where we’re heading next.
While our Creator Fund is just eight months old (not quite ready for a decade-long retrospective), we still took the opportunity for our own mini-AGM—reflecting on what’s working, what we’re learning, and how we’re thinking about the next phase. Since so many of you have been following along and cheering us on as we build this “venture-venture capital firm,” I wanted to share a little of what’s been happening behind the scenes.
Market Signal:
The creator economy is maturing rapidly. We’re seeing a clear shift: creators who once focused on brand deals and content monetization are now building real businesses—hiring teams, raising capital, diversifying revenue. AI is flooding the market with content, but those with deep, authentic communities are standing out even more. Meanwhile, the infrastructure for creators to go direct-to-fan is scaling up (Patreon just hit $10B in payouts!), and new tools (like Sora 2) are changing the game for how creators can leverage their own likeness and IP.
Key Takeaways:
Who we look for: We invest in creators who are as much founders as they are creators—people building real companies on top of passionate, engaged communities. Not just “influencers” or founders building in public for clout.
How we find them: We’re all about planting seeds—content, events, and relationships that keep us top of mind, so the best creator-founders self-select into our orbit. Early-stage is a net fishing game, not a sniper hunt.
How we evaluate: The person, the theme, and the community matter most. The best creator-founders are world-class at their craft, have a real audience, and are building in a space that’s both growing and meaningful.
How we close: We’re getting faster and more efficient, but there’s still a lot of ambiguity in the space—think pre-YC SAFE days. That lack of structure is a moat (for now) if you’re willing to do the work.