Marlon C. Nichols is the co-founder and managing partner of Cross Culture Ventures (now MaC Venture Capital). See sector focus and contact routes.
Marlon C. Nichols is the co-founder and managing partner of Cross Culture Ventures (now MaC Venture Capital), an early-stage firm he launched in 2015 with Troy Carter after serving as an investment director at Intel Capital and completing the Kauffman Fellowship. His investment thesis centers on “cultural investing,” targeting seed and Series A companies that leverage global popular culture and shifting consumer behavior across the U.S., with a focus on Los Angeles, the Bay Area, and select international markets like Nairobi. While specific check sizes are not publicly detailed, the firm operates as a seed-stage investor that typically leads deals by identifying thematic opportunities rather than following trends. Notable portfolio companies include Blavity, Gimlet Media, MongoDB, and Wonderschool, which reflect his focus on culture-driven startups. Nichols distinguishes himself through a public emphasis on backing diverse, visionary founders who build the future “the rest of America” wants, and he actively mentors CEOs while advocating for minority representation in venture capital. He also serves on the board of the Kauffman Fellows program
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