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A small-batch idea factory with one simple approach: Identify profound problems, develop well-thought-out solutions, find amazing Founders to partner with, and then obsessively build together.

Who we are.

Hands-on Operators and experienced Investors who partner with deeply curious Founders obsessed with solving meaningful problems.

Investment Themes

We run efficient experiments, let markets validate our thinking, and we respect when Darwin tells us we're wrong. We keep our eyes wide open and report to the truth, even when it's uncomfortable.

  • Music's Missing Layer

    The music industry offers consumers inexpensive passive streaming services and expensive engaging live events, leaving a vast opportunity for new products to emerge in the middle.

  • Financial Nihilism

    Traditional financial advice feels increasingly irrelevant to people facing modern economic realities, creating widespread disillusionment with conventional wealth-building paths.

  • Algorithmic Isolation

    Personalized content algorithms are fracturing our shared cultural experiences, leaving us with less common ground than ever before.

  • The Access Paradox

    Zero-commission trading apps have democratized market access but created a generation of untrained Investors gambling with sophisticated financial products they don't understand.

Investment Themes

 

We run efficient experiments, let markets validate our thinking, and respect if Darwin tells us we're wrong. We keep our eyes wide open and report to the truth, even when it's uncomfortable.

Music’s Missing Layer

The music industry offers consumers inexpensive passive streaming services and expensive engaging live events, leaving a vast opportunity for new products to emerge in the middle.

Financial Nihilism

Traditional financial advice feels increasingly irrelevant to people facing modern economic realities, creating widespread disillusionment with conventional wealth-building paths.

Algorithmic Isolation

Personalized content algorithms are fracturing our shared cultural experiences, leaving us with less common ground than ever before.

The Access Paradox

Zero-commission trading apps have democratized market access but created a generation of untrained Investors gambling with sophisticated financial products they don't understand.

Eyes wide open.

We're looking for Founders who share our philosophy regardless of whether you're building in our investment theme space or bringing us something completely new. We aim to combine creative problem solving, operational expertise, and a deeply connected network to help turn ambitious ideas into successful businesses.

Current Projects

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First Press

Building games that will re-establish music’s cultural and economic value.

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Creating tools to drive multi-dimensional financial wellness.

Stealth

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Ideating on products that increase retail Investors' success rate

Stealth

The name 37Maru draws inspiration from two legendary moments where unconventional thinking changed everything (Move 37 and the Kobayashi Maru). Breakthroughs are often created by brave souls who refuse to accept constraints as sacrosanct. That's the spirit we bring to the company building process:

We’re willing to make unexpected moves when it's what a problem demands.

Meet the Team

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Frank Rotman

The past matters but the future matters more. The truth is that most of the projects and investments I’ve made over the past 3 decades didn’t work out. But the ones that did are all that matter. That’s how the world works.

So what worked? I helped build Capital One from the ground up, I co-Founded QED Investors, and I ended up investing in enough generational companies to land on the Forbes Midas list 7 times.

I share my thoughts prolifically on Twitter/X and LinkedIn under the handle @fintechjunkie. Now it’s time to build again and I couldn’t be more excited!

Little known fact: I have a published children’s book that was included in the celebrity gift bag at the Golden Globe Awards.

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Rachael Harnish

Startups are born from bold ideas, but they run on strong systems and incredible teams—and someone gets to build both. Throughout my career, I’ve been that someone.

I've led operations across every company stage, building (or re-building) every G&A function and then some. Through product launches, revamps, and rapid change, I've learned what powers growth and enables real scale: People.

I'm the Operator who makes building simpler, faster, and more human. When Founders need someone to solve the messy problems, I cut to the core without cutting corners. I create momentum and bring people along, whatever the journey.

I’m honored to bring these hard-won insights to our Founders as their operational partner. I couldn't be more excited to help build the next generation of great companies.

Little known fact: I once put 1600 post-its on a wall for an art project in the style of Sol Lewitt

Get in touch.

Social

Phone
(252) 260-4015

Email
hello@37maru.com