ai-creative-tools
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Universe
Universe is an Atlanta-based modern holding company that buys and builds vertical software businesses. Founded in 2021 by Nick Miller and Eric Stromberg, it acquires and incubates niche software products, then deploys capital and infrastructure to grow them into purpose-built tools for specific markets. Its portfolio spans Goldie (business management for solopreneurs in beauty and wellness), Equilab (a training community for equestrians), and Invoke (AI-powered tools for artists and creative teams).
Jonathan Lai
Jonathan Lai is a General Partner at Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) where he leads the Speedrun investment program and the Games vertical. A Harvard-trained economist turned product manager turned VC, he built his career arc through Morgan Stanley's investment banking floors, Riot Games' League of Legends product team, Dots (acquired by Take-Two for $192M), and Tencent's North America investments desk before landing at a16z. His investment thesis sits at the intersection of AI and creative technology - believing that the same retention-loop design principles that made League of Legends the world's most-played PC game are now reshaping enterprise software, fintech, and the next generation of AI-native consumer apps.