First Avenue Ventures

First Avenue Ventures is a Birmingham-based venture capital firm dedicated to supporting early-stage companies across a diverse range of industries. The firm focuses on providing seed and pre-seed funding to high-growth businesses, investing between $100,000 and $500,000. Their mission is to empower the entrepreneurial ecosystem by catalyzing innovative businesses in the Birmingham area.

The firm's investment strategy is centered on fostering professional and collaborative relationships with portfolio companies. They offer tools, guidance, and access to a robust network to assist startups in navigating the challenges of high-growth ventures. Transparency is a core value, as they strive to provide candid assessments to founders, ensuring a clear understanding of their business trajectory.

First Avenue Ventures has demonstrated a commitment to the Birmingham entrepreneurial ecosystem by launching the First Avenue Ventures Opportunity Fund in April 2024. This fund, with commitments exceeding $2 million, focuses on seed and pre-seed funding for high-growth businesses, investing between $100,000 and $500,000 in early-stage companies. The fund aims to deepen and widen the firm's mission by financing and supporting early-stage companies, thereby benefiting the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The team at First Avenue Ventures comprises experienced professionals dedicated to the success of their portfolio companies. Mike Goodrich serves as the Principal, bringing extensive experience in venture capital and entrepreneurship. Emma Bolden, the Director of Operations, leverages her years of experience working with early-stage companies to identify promising investments and partner with portfolio company leadership teams to help them reach an inflection point. Their combined expertise and commitment to the Birmingham community underscore the firm's dedication to fostering innovation and growth in the region.