How 16VC Works in 2026
A Transparency Note
The last year created a lot of noise around venture capital, new fund models, and how early-stage firms operate. Some of that noise included us.
Rather than respond to speculation or fragments, this post explains — clearly and in one place — how 16VC actually works in 2026.
This is not a pitch. It’s a transparency document.
What 16VC Is
16VC is an early-stage venture platform backing AI and technology founders globally.
Typical check size: $250K–$2M
Stage focus: Pre-Seed and Seed
Geography: Global
Structure: SPV-first, not a traditional closed-end fund
We are intentionally built differently from legacy venture firms.
Why We Invest Through SPVs
16VC primarily invests through Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) rather than a single blind-pool fund.
This allows us to:
Invest on a deal-by-deal basis
Stay selective instead of deploying on a schedule
Align incentives clearly per investment
Move faster at early stages
Each startup has its own vehicle, economics, and underwriting. There is no forced allocation and no cross-subsidization between companies.
Team, Salaries, and Internal Operations
From day one, 16VC has operated as a real company with a real team.
Team members are hired intentionally
Salaries are paid
Roles and responsibilities are clearly defined
We do not rely on unpaid labor, interns, or informal “advisor” structures
We believe trust with founders starts with how a firm treats its own people.
Remote-First by Design
16VC is moving fully remote as its default operating model.
Our team is globally distributed, and most work is done asynchronously and online. This structure allows us to work with founders anywhere without forcing location constraints.
We previously experimented with long-term coworking arrangements and found that flexible daily credits are more efficient than fixed memberships.
Today:
Remote is the default
Location is not a hiring constraint
Physical space is used only when it adds real value
Select Use of Coworking Spaces in the UK
While remote-first, 16VC does occasionally use coworking spaces in the UK for:
Founder meetings
Partner discussions
Short-term team sessions
These are on-demand, flexible spaces, not permanent offices.
Remote work is our baseline.
In-person collaboration is intentional.
Business Cards & Expense Management
Every founder and core team member is issued a Wise Business card under the company account.
Cards include the individual’s full name and 16VC as the company
Access is role-based
Spending is centrally tracked and reviewed
Personal and company expenses are kept strictly separate
We chose Wise because it supports global teams, multi-currency operations, and transparent expense management.
This setup is about accountability — not perks.
2026 Investment Plan
In 2026, 16VC plans to:
Invest in approximately 10 startups globally
Focus deeply on AI and frontier technology
Continue operating SPV-first
Support founders beyond capital, including strategy and narrative positioning
We care more about long-term founder outcomes than short-term optics.
Closing
Transparency is not a response to controversy — it’s a default.
16VC is being built deliberately, in public, and with clear intent. Our model may not look like traditional venture, but it reflects how early-stage companies actually operate in 2026.
If you’re a founder, operator, or partner looking to understand how modern venture works — this is it.
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16VC
I want in.