About Us
Strength in Strategy. Power in Diversity.
Senatus Fund is a $25 million early-stage venture fund built on a powerful premise: diverse teams drive superior performance. Founded by Peter Callister, Senatus Fund is designed to capitalize on a persistent market inefficiency, venture capital's historical underinvestment in diverse leadership.
We invest in seed-stage startups led by exceptional, diverse management teams. Our approach is hands-on, offering not just capital, but mentorship, strategic connections, and operational expertise. Our portfolio companies benefit from deep engagement, including guidance on growth, hiring, financial reporting, and exit planning.
At Senatus, we believe in:
- Backing exceptional founders with varied experiences, backgrounds, genders, and ethnicities.
- Creating market leaders through operational support and strategic guidance.
- Driving real value with transparent reporting, efficient deal flow processes, and co-investment opportunities for LPs.
- Building a better ecosystem by holding ourselves and our portfolio accountable to DEI goals and transparency.
With a robust pipeline of warehoused deals, an analyst program that expands our reach, and a clear focus on underfunded opportunities, Senatus is uniquely positioned to find the overlooked and unlock exceptional returns.
We’re not just writing checks. We’re building enduring companies, with founders, for impact, and toward exits.
What We Look For.
Diverse Teams
We seek diverse management teams with complementary skill sets and a demonstrated willingness to adapt and pivot as needed. We can assist in filling team gaps with our networks or leveraging yours.
Business Model
We invest in startups that have a sound business model today, with an understanding that adaptation will be necessary as they grow.
Market Potential
We look for startups that compete in markets with a potential of $1+ billion, with a clear competitive advantage in terms of intellectual property, technology, or other barriers to entry.
Traction
We prioritize startups with measurable traction, such as early user growth or paying customers, which signals a strong potential for future success.
Terms
We look for opportunities that have potential for a 10x return and allow Senatus Fund to achieve at least a 5% ownership stake.
Culture
We invest in startups that align with our culture and values. Our investments by nature our long-term and require alignment to allow for mutual success.
Senatus Fund Values
Connections
Connections as Strength: We prioritize building meaningful relationships and diverse perspectives for collective success. The Senatus Fund acts as a bridge between innovators, service providers, and investors, creating a thriving ecosystem where connections drive opportunity.
Diversity
Diversity as a Competitive Advantage: Diversity strengthens decision-making, drives innovation, and leads to superior returns. We invest in and collaborate with diverse founders and teams, knowing that broad perspectives lead to better solutions and more resilient businesses.
Legacy
The Senatus Fund is dedicated to building a legacy through impactful ventures. We aim to leave a mark on industries, communities, and the broader economy by investing in visionaries who shape the future. We make decisions based on long-term value and vision.
Mentorship
Mentorship as Leadership: The Senatus Fund is dedicated to mentoring founders with strategic insights and hands-on support. We believe in fostering leadership within our portfolio companies, empowering entrepreneurs to navigate challenges and achieve sustainable growth.
Perspectives
Perspectives Beyond Capital: At Senatus Fund, we provide more than funding, we offer diverse perspectives, market foresight, and strategic guidance. Our focus is on long-term value creation, ensuring our entrepreneurs are equipped to make an enduring impact.
Sincerity
Sincerity is core to how we engage with founders, investors, and other stakeholders. We seek to engage authentically, build meaningful relationships, make decisions with integrity, and foster open dialog with constructive conversations. We believe that genuine, transparent, and honest interactions grow trust, strengthen relationships, and drive long-term success.
Transparency
Transparency: We are committed to transparency in our interactions with team members, investors, portfolio companies, and the broader community, ensuring accountability and integrity in all we do. We adhere to the principle of never taking actions that we wouldn't be proud to share with our loved ones.
Wisdom
Wisdom in Decision-Making: We emphasize thoughtful decision-making and a commitment to principled investment strategies. We make informed decisions by consulting experienced advisors to gather complete perspectives as we make informed decisions resulting in better and predictable outcomes.
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