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Austin Rief is the Co-founder and CEO of Morning Brew and the Manager of the Austin Rief Rolling Fund, based in New York City. He co-founded the digital media company in 2015 alongside Alex Lieberman while completing his Bachelor of Business Administration degree at the University of Michigan's Stephen M. Ross School of Business. Under his leadership, the platform scaled to over four million subscribers and generated tens of millions in annual revenue before selling a majority stake to Insider Inc. in 2020 at a reported $75 million valuation. Following this acquisition, he launched his AngelList rolling fund in 2021 to allocate capital toward early-stage consumer internet, digital media, and financial technology startups. Rief currently focuses on expanding Morning Brew's multi-channel media operations while actively investing in the creator economy and emerging consumer technology sectors.
Austin Rief is a distinguished investor and the visionary behind the Austin Rief Rolling Fund. Known for his keen eye for innovation and his successful entrepreneurial journey, Rief has established himself as a significant figure in the venture capital landscape, particularly for early-stage companies. His approach to investing is characterized by a deep understanding of startup dynamics and a commitment to fostering long-term growth.
As the founder and lead investor of the Austin Rief Rolling Fund, he is directly involved in sourcing, evaluating, and nurturing portfolio companies. The fund operates with a flexible, evergreen structure, allowing for continuous investment into promising ventures. Rief's role extends beyond capital provision; he acts as a strategic partner, leveraging his extensive network and operational expertise to help founders scale their businesses effectively. He is dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs with the resources and guidance needed to navigate the challenges of early-stage development and achieve market leadership.
The Austin Rief Rolling Fund typically targets early-stage startups with strong potential for disruption and growth. While sector-agnostic to some extent, Rief shows a particular interest in areas where technology can create significant market shifts. This often includes B2B SaaS solutions, consumer technology, fintech innovations, and companies within the creator economy or digital media space. He looks for founders with clear vision, strong execution capabilities, and products that address substantial market needs. His investment philosophy is rooted in supporting companies that can achieve sustainable, long-term success and make a meaningful impact.
Before launching his rolling fund, Austin Rief co-founded Morning Brew, a highly successful digital media company that revolutionized business news delivery for a younger audience. Under his leadership, Morning Brew grew from a college newsletter into a multi-million dollar enterprise, eventually acquired by Business Insider. This experience provided Rief with invaluable insights into building and scaling a successful startup, understanding market dynamics, and fostering a strong brand. His journey from entrepreneur to investor brings a unique, founder-centric perspective to his investment decisions, making him a sought-after partner for emerging companies.
While specific public details on all individual investments from the Austin Rief Rolling Fund may vary, the fund is actively building a diverse portfolio of high-potential startups. These investments are typically in companies poised for rapid growth, often leveraging cutting-edge technology to solve complex problems or create new market opportunities. Rief's focus remains on backing founders who are building the next generation of impactful businesses across the tech ecosystem, contributing to innovation and economic development.
Austin Rief is a prominent investor and the founder of the Austin Rief Rolling Fund. He is also widely recognized as the co-founder of Morning Brew, a highly successful digital media company.
Austin Rief, through his Austin Rief Rolling Fund, primarily invests in early-stage technology startups. His focus areas often include B2B SaaS, consumer technology, fintech, and companies within the creator economy or digital media.
Austin Rief works as an investor and the founder of the Austin Rief Rolling Fund. He leads the fund's investment activities and strategic partnerships.
