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§ Private Profile · 122 E 42nd St Rm 2120, New York City, New York, 10168, United States
IA Capital is a company.
IA Capital Group is a private investment firm operating with an exclusive focus on the financial and insurance technology sectors. The firm invests in innovative North American businesses, typically from Seed to Series B funding rounds, applying deep industry expertise to enhance portfolio company growth and market positioning.
The firm's dedicated venture capital focus was established in 2000 by Managing Partner Andy Lerner. This initiative stemmed from a clear insight into the transformative power of technology within financial services and insurance, positioning IA Capital Group to identify and support emerging companies poised to reshape these critical industries.
IA Capital Group serves early to mid-stage FinTech and InsurTech companies seeking both capital and strategic guidance. The firm aims to propel innovation and catalyze transformation across the financial and insurance landscapes. Its long-term vision involves actively contributing to the future trajectory of these sectors through sustained strategic investment and partnership.
Key people at IA Capital.
Key people at IA Capital.
IA Capital Group is a New York-based venture capital firm specializing in early- to growth-stage investments in fintech and insurtech across North America, from Seed to Series B.[1][3][4] With over 23 years of experience managing Inter-Atlantic funds, its mission centers on partnering with innovative entrepreneurs to shape financial services and insurance, backed by 22 insurance company limited partners that provide strategic insights and industry connections.[3][5] The firm's investment philosophy emphasizes proven management teams targeting underserved markets, financial empowerment, and diversity (over 33% of investments in underrepresented founders), while committing to sustainability by avoiding energy-intensive sectors and supporting climate-focused companies.[1][5] Key sectors include fintech, insurtech, financial services, software, healthtech, AI, and others, with 82 investments including SmartAsset, Marqeta, and Credit Sesame, significantly impacting the startup ecosystem through access to insurance networks and top-decile returns.[1][3][5]
Founded in 1992, IA Capital Group began as a private investment firm managing Inter-Atlantic funds, evolving from general venture investing to a specialist focus on insurtech and fintech by 2000.[3][4][6] Key partners include Managing Partner Andy Lerner, Partner Matt Perlman, Principal Anton Wesener, Principal Ravi Shah, and Partner Rick Viton, who brings advocacy for Hispanic financial inclusion.[1][5][6] The firm's evolution reflects pioneering strategic venture capital for insurance companies before it became mainstream, raising its 10th fund as of recent years and maintaining offices in New York, Westport (CT), and Miami.[3][6] Pivotal moments include building relationships with 22 insurers as LPs and achieving 25-year top-decile returns while prioritizing diversity and impact, such as investments empowering underserved groups via companies like NetSpend and Homeowners of America.[5]
IA Capital rides the fintech/insurtech disruption wave, capitalizing on digital transformation in financial services amid rising demand for innovative insurance and payment solutions post-2000s tech shifts.[3][5] Timing is ideal with insurers increasingly adopting strategic VC for ecosystem insights, where IA's 23+ years predate the trend, positioning it as a bridge between traditional insurance and startups.[3][5] Market forces like underserved populations seeking affordable finance/insurance, regulatory pushes for inclusion (e.g., CA COIN review), and sustainability mandates favor its focus, influencing the ecosystem by fostering diversity, empowering millions via portfolio firms (e.g., Marqeta's card issuing, Credit Sesame's credit tools), and setting benchmarks for LP-backed insurtech investing.[1][5]
IA Capital is poised to deepen its insurtech dominance with its 10th fund (in market since Jun 2024), targeting Seed-to-B+ rounds amid AI-driven fintech evolution and climate-resilient insurance needs.[1][3][6] Trends like embedded finance, regulatory inclusion, and sustainable tech will shape its path, potentially expanding AI/healthtech allocations while leveraging LP networks for global reach.[1] Its influence may grow as a diversity leader and strategic partner, evolving from pioneer to ecosystem architect—reinforcing its role in empowering tomorrow's financial innovators, much like its foundational mission since 1992.[5]
