Launch With GS Interviews Dayna Grayson in Celebration of Women’s History Month

Fund Structure and Investment Focus

• Goldman Sachs' "Launch with GS" committed $500 million to invest in diverse entrepreneurs and investors, with Dana Grayson's Construct Capital receiving an investment in its $140 million early-stage venture fund.
• Construct Capital targets "foundational industries" comprising half of the GDP, specifically manufacturing, supply chain, logistics, transportation, mobility, fintech, and business support services.
• The investment thesis was formulated based on a decade of parallel experience by partners Rachel (operational side at Uber) and Grayson (venture capital at NEA) identifying a gap in dedicated venture capital for industrial sectors.

Market Trends and Post-COVID Adjustments

• The COVID-19 pandemic emerged during the fundraise, forcing the venture and entrepreneurial sectors to rapidly adjust to a new operational environment.
• Founders have continued launching new businesses even after the pandemic began, specifically focusing on reimagining technology delivery within deep infrastructure sectors like supply chain and logistics.
• The pandemic highlighted critical strain on foundational systems, accelerating a permanent need for greater instrumentation, digitalization, and migration to the cloud in manufacturing and supply chain.
• Grayson anticipates strong venture returns over the next decade driven by the necessary reengineering of these sectors.

Exemplary Female Founders and Firm Resilience

• Partner Rachel, an early employee (number 25) at Uber, is cited for her resilience in opening the Washington D.C. market and co-leading U.S. and Canada operations during the company's hyper-growth phase.
• Construct Capital invested in the seed round of Framebridge, led by founder/CEO Susan Tynan, which combines consumer framing services with complex backend logistics and manufacturing in Kentucky.
• Framebridge was recently sold to Graham Holdings, marking a successful exit for an investment where the firm supported the founder through the engineering of difficult operational processes.

Perspectives on International Women's Day

• Grayson emphasized the importance of recognizing global differences in women's experiences, particularly regarding the intersection of professional and caregiving roles.
• She noted that the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately negatively impacted women, forcing many to take steps back in the workforce and at home.
• Grayson identified a need to address the fact that women have regressed more than other economic sectors during the pandemic, a trend requiring continued attention.