Symmetrical Ventures was founded in late 2015, with the vision of partnering with creative innovators who are looking to transform traditional business models through disruptive technology. Symmetrical Ventures is a privately-held investment firm, focused on placing investments in early stage startups.
We are firm believers in companies that have elements of social good to them. We like to see founders that are driven by the positive difference that their product or service can make in people's lives, while at the same time building a successful business in the process.
At Symmetrical Ventures, we take a unique approach to every investment opportunity and work alongside entrepreneurs to support their needs, expanding growth opportunities.
Since its inception, Symmetrical Ventures had carried out an average of 1 investment per month. Investments include both direct investments in US-based startups, and limited partnership stakes in venture capital funds.
Paul has 35 years of experience in the financial services industry, most recently as Senior Managing Director, with Blackrock, Inc. (BLK). He retired from BLK in 2014 after a 20-year career in executive management which included 10 years as Chief Financial Officer and leadership of the firm’s global cash management, global real-estate and US mutual funds businesses. During his tenure, BLK’s assets under management rose from less than $20 billion to $4.5+ trillion with a market value increasing from $250 million to $60 billion.
Paul is also an acknowledged expert in the field of corporate transactions, after spending 15 years as Director of Mergers and Acquisitions for two large bank holding companies. During his career he managed or directed over 25 major acquisitions, mergers or divestitures comprising $50 billion in value. Some of his notable transactions were the acquisitions of Blackrock in 1994 by PNC, the first ever acquisition of a thrift by a commercial bank; at the time two of the largest asset backed transactions by a bank in the credit card and mortgage banking industry and two major “lift out” transactions of Merrill-Lynch investment management and Barclays investment management while at BLK.
An accomplished entrepreneur with a passion for consumer facing products and services. He has founded and led a number of venture backed companies leveraging his Direct-To-Consumer experience and expertise. Including the conceiving and founding of one of the first companies to ignite the collaborative consumption economy, "Bag Borrow or Steal". As a fellow operator, he is readily able to identify with the challenges and opportunities that startups face at every turn. Lloyd works actively with Symmetrical Ventures portfolio companies on their go-to-market strategies.
Paul Audet Jr. brings 2 decades of sales and marketing experience from the technology sector to the Symmetrical Ventures team. Throughout his career, Paul has helped businesses increase operational efficiency and security through the use of technology. Paul enjoys working with the next generation of emerging companies and imparting knowledge from his years of scaled professional experience in the areas of B2B sales, sales leadership, as well as marketing and operations. Paul has a deep passion for youth sports, serving as Athletic Director at his daughters’ school and coaching girls softball, volleyball and basketball. Paul lives in NJ with his wife and two daughters, and enjoys fishing and spending time at the Jersey Shore with family and friends.
After 5 years and 6.5 Million dollars our investments have resulted in an IRR of 30% and growing. As happy as we are with our financial metrics to date, more satisfying still is the fact that in realizing their visions, our founders have had a positive impact in the industries they serve. Most of our portfolio companies have surpassed Series B level financing, with their brightest days still to come.
Our founding principle was based on the desire to provide more than just capital. For us the greatest enjoyment comes from being active partners in the companies with which we invest. We offer our time, energy, relationships, diverse skill sets, and decades of experience founding, building, operating, and scaling companies. As the portfolio is no longer in need of the same level of bandwidth from us as they did when we first got started we are pleased to announce a brand new fund, Xccelerant Ventures.
Xccelerant will operate on the same founding principle as Symmetrical. Opportunities not merely above and beyond capital alone, but opportunities at the very earliest stages of ideation. Opportunities that most traditional investors in the venture market wouldn’t even consider because they were too unproven, too early stage, too risky. If you’d like to hear more about our new fund and our operating principles please visit the link below for more information and to schedule an appointment.
