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Key people at Cashmere Capital.
Cashmere Capital is an investment firm that specializes in esoteric alternative assets and early-stage venture capital, operating from an undisclosed location. The organization focuses on uncovering niche opportunities such as hidden assets, lost brands, and recovery projects through intensive internal research. While the primary entity is backed by a single-family office and does not accept outside capital, the firm also operates the SEC-regulated Cashmere Fund. This specific vehicle provides retail investors access to venture capital with a $500 minimum investment requirement and no accreditation prerequisites. The firm's venture capital strategy targets high-growth consumer brands tied to influencer networks, working alongside leadership including Chief Executive Officer Elia Infascelli, partner Mary Owen, and entrepreneurs such as IQBAR founder Will Nitze. Cashmere Capital was established in an undisclosed year by co-founders Patrick Horsman and Russell Gross.
Cashmere Capital, operating as The Cashmere Fund (ticker: CSHMX), is an evergreen interval mutual fund that democratizes access to high-growth private market opportunities, primarily early- and growth-stage venture capital investments in startups and pre-IPO companies. Managed as a Delaware statutory trust registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, it offers diversified exposure to private ventures with semi-annual liquidity windows, bridging traditional private equity and public markets for retail and institutional investors.[1][3][7] Its mission centers on providing long-term capital appreciation through "network affectable, scalably impactful, and broadly understandable" companies, leveraging a unique community network from Sweater Ventures for portfolio support in talent, product research, and expertise.[2][6] Key sectors include technology, sports, entertainment, and consumer brands, with check sizes of $250,000 to $1,000,000, significantly impacting the startup ecosystem by connecting founders to cultural influencers like NFL stars Josh Allen and Damar Hamlin, and fashion executives like Jenna Lyons.[5][6]
The fund's performance includes a 1-year total return of around 5-8%, since-inception average annual return of 3.83-5.50%, and a low expense profile with modest dividends (0.17% yield).[1][4] This model empowers thousands of limited partners (LPs)—far beyond the typical 99—fostering outsized influence on portfolio growth.[2]
Launched by Sweater Ventures, the Cashmere Fund emerged to address venture capital's exclusivity, evolving from a traditional VC structure limited to 99 LPs into a community-powered mutual fund accepting thousands of members for broader impact.[2][7] Key partners include CEO Elia Infascelli, Ari Schottenstein, Bruce Popko, and Josh Feine, all based in Boulder, Colorado, alongside high-profile additions like NFL MVP Josh Allen, Bills safety Damar Hamlin, and J.Crew alumna Jenna Lyons, who bring sports, entertainment, and branding expertise.[5][6] The fund's focus has shifted toward "network affectable" investments that scale via community leverage, building on Sweater's thesis of betting on outliers with massive potential while providing built-in operational support.[2] Pivotal early traction includes resilient performance against VC benchmarks and semi-annual redemptions, positioning it as a post-60/40 portfolio alternative amid lengthening private company timelines—87% of $100M+ revenue firms now stay private.[1][7]
Cashmere rides the democratization of alternatives trend, where VC has historically outperformed public equities but remains locked for most—now critical as 87% of high-revenue privates delay IPOs, shifting portfolios toward 20% alternatives.[7] Timing aligns with post-60/40 era low yields and private market resilience, offering retail access to pre-IPO growth via transparent, liquid vehicles.[1][7] Market forces like prolonged private status and community-driven scaling favor its thesis, influencing the ecosystem by amplifying "network affectable" startups through influencer networks, reducing founder isolation, and proving community LPs can drive VC impact at scale.[2][6]
Cashmere is poised to expand as private markets grow, potentially increasing AUM through more tastemaker partners and refined AI/consumer tech bets that leverage its network for hyper-scaling.[2][6] Trends like extended private timelines and alternative allocations will boost demand, evolving its influence toward hybrid fund-of-funds or sector-specific vehicles. With strong early performance and liquidity edge, it could redefine retail VC access, turning community power into the next outlier success story—echoing its mission to put "your money to the power of influence."[1][7]
Key people at Cashmere Capital.
