March 2025 Newsletter
Upcoming & Recent Events
QSBS Event Recap
We had a fantastic recent event with Toby Johnston, CPA, CFP, diving deep into QSBS tax strategies! Toby walked us through insightful stacking and packing strategies, practical estate planning approaches, and tackled complex QSBS scenarios. We learned about maximizing QSBS benefits by planning early, navigating the nuances around eligibility, and strategically timing investments and exits. It was incredibly valuable, providing our firm and LPs actionable ways to optimize portfolios and significantly enhance returns through tax savings. Big thanks to Toby for sharing these invaluable insights with us!
Upcoming Event: Ollin Ventures Golf Mixer
We’re excited to announce an exclusive relationship-building event at Private Fairway in Orem, UT! Drive the fairway and network with industry professionals and the Ollin Ventures team at our golf simulator event. Limited spots available—contact the partners for details!
Recent Market Trends
Utah’s startup ecosystem is seeing strong momentum in AI-driven B2B innovation, with founders applying large language models to automate workflows and enhance decision-making. Notable startups like Jump (AI assistant for financial advisors) and Halda (AI-driven student recruitment) reflect this trend. B2B SaaS and data management solutions continue to dominate, with Boostly ($22M Series A) and Mobly ($4.3M seed) securing funding to scale AI-powered customer engagement and event marketing automation. Pre-seed and seed funding remains active, with founder-friendly SAFE notes leading sub-$1M rounds, while Series A investors favor startups with clear monetization strategies and scalable AI applications.
Investor sentiment in Utah is optimistic, with major VC firms raising new funds to back AI and enterprise software. Pelion Venture Partners closed a record $500M fund, while RevRoad Capital raised $61M for early-stage investments. The state continues to attract national capital, driven by its strong B2B SaaS track record and focus on AI-powered efficiency solutions. Startups demonstrating measurable ROI and enterprise automation remain top investment targets.
Portfolio Company Updates
Stratus: Currently raising its Series A round in the Bay Area, with notable momentum already—20% of the round has been filled before the official fundraising kickoff. The company continues to demonstrate strong product-market fit and early investor enthusiasm.
Vamo: Actively raising capital amid robust investor interest in last-mile delivery solutions. Vamo is expanding rapidly into new geographies, capturing increased demand for efficient local delivery infrastructures.
AskElephant: is preparing to raise a Seed Round after strong momentum in customer acquisition and retention. With a growing base of high-value customers and impressive early traction, they’re positioned for rapid expansion and continued success in scaling their platform.
ReferPro: Preparing for a Series A as they continue to expand their footprint, securing more PE rollup groups and deepening industry partnerships. They recently received the green light for a major CRM integration, further solidifying their position in the market. With strong customer retention and high-level execution, they’re well-positioned for their next stage of growth.
Helperly: Closed out Q4 2024 with $985K ARR, setting the stage for a Seed+ round in 2025. With strong momentum and a clear growth trajectory, they’re poised for an exciting year ahead.
We're grateful for your continued support and interest in Ollin Ventures. Stay tuned for more updates on upcoming events, market insights, and portfolio highlights next month. If you'd like to discuss opportunities, collaborate, or simply connect, please don't hesitate to reach out.
Happy investing,
The Ollin Ventures Team