Cintrifuse invests in Silicon Valley fund to spur connections, support for local startups

Cintrifuse’s Early Stage Capital Fund — also known as the Syndicate Fund — recently invested in a Silicon Valley venture fund called Bullpen Capital.
 
The details of the deal were not disclosed, but Bullpen represents the first Silicon Valley fund to receive an investment from Cintrifuse. As Cincinnati’s startup catalyst, the moves that Cintrifuse makes have major implications in terms of putting our local startup scene in line with others around the country and Silicon Valley at the national forefront.
 
"This is a big deal as it draws us closer to that startup epicenter of Silicon Valley," said Cintrifuse spokesman Eric Weissmann. "Actually, it's vice versa — drawing them closer to us and engagement with StartupCincy."
 
The Syndicate Fund is one of three legs of Cintrifuse’s organizational mission. By investing in venture funds around the country, Syndicate hopes to ensure reciprocal attention to Cincinnati’s most worthwhile projects and startup organizations.
 
Syndicate is funded by major local investors, including Procter & Gamble, Kroger and Western & Southern.
 
"(Startup life) is insular,” said Cintrifuse CEO Wendy Lea. “When you see other people are doing the same thing, it's important. And when they go to London, to San Francisco, to Berlin to call on a customer. And guess what? They'll call on that entrepreneur there. Now they know people there. How else would that have happened? A sterile LinkedIn connection? Relationships are the gas that drives a business."