Masha Bucher, founder of Day One Ventures, is reshaping the venture capital landscape by integrating public relations (PR) into her investment strategy. With a background in PR and marketing, Bucher leverages her expertise to support startups financially and enhance their storytelling capabilities. This dual approach helps her identify promising companies while ensuring they receive the communication support necessary for success.
Bucher founded Day One Ventures in 2018, aiming to make a significant impact in the startup ecosystem. Her previous experience in executive roles provided her with valuable insights into how startups function and the common challenges they face. “I was seeing what was going on in business, and because I could understand the context, I understood business,” Bucher explained in a recent interview with TechCrunch.
Transforming PR and Venture Capital
Bucher believes that traditional PR services often fail to align with the fast-paced nature of startups. Many PR firms operate on a contract basis that incentivizes them to drag out client payments, which can hinder a startup’s ability to move quickly. “Early-stage companies shouldn’t be paying $10,000, $20,000, or $30,000 per month for six months to get one announcement in TechCrunch,” she asserted. This misalignment sparked Bucher’s idea to create an integrated model where she could provide both capital and PR support to startups at critical stages.
Her approach allows her to offer tailored guidance during pivotal moments, such as when a startup is pivoting or facing founder challenges. Bucher emphasizes the need for trust in these relationships: “You need to be trusted to advise and help them make decisions.”
Backing a startup financially also gives Bucher a unique perspective. “I have an ambition to be, ideally, the first investor in the most important and ambitious ideas and companies of our time,” she stated. This financial stake fosters a deeper commitment to the companies she represents, enabling her to tell their stories with authenticity and integrity.
Ethical Investing and a Focus on Innovation
Bucher’s investment philosophy is rooted in ethical considerations. When evaluating potential investments, she not only assesses the viability of a company’s vision but also the founder’s ethical standards. For instance, she highlighted Valar Atomics, a startup developing advanced nuclear reactors, noting that she trusts its CEO, Isaiah Taylor, with “literally life-and-death decisions.”
Day One Ventures has achieved notable success since its inception. The firm recently co-led a $130 million funding round for Valar Atomics and has invested in companies like Sam Altman’s World and the email app Superhuman. To date, Day One boasts at least 12 unicorns within its portfolio, with a combined value exceeding $115 billion.
In the past year, Day One closed its Fund III with $150 million, targeting early-stage founders who are addressing pressing global challenges. Bucher has seen the firm grow from $11 million in assets under management to well over $450 million today. “We want to use comms to solve companies’ business goals, unlock new opportunities, and to help them, ultimately, to grow shareholder value,” she noted.
As Day One Ventures continues to evolve, Bucher remains focused on backing innovative technologies that align with her values. She is particularly proud of her investments in reproductive technology, accessible healthcare, and law enforcement software. This commitment to ethical investing sets her apart in an industry often criticized for prioritizing profit over principle.
In summary, Masha Bucher’s innovative blend of venture capital and PR not only supports startups but also reshapes how stories are told in the business world. As she looks ahead, Bucher aims to remain at the forefront of funding the next generation of transformative ideas.
