Cory Moelis comes from a multigenerational Thoroughbred racing family and serves on the board of the Thoroughbred Education and Research Foundation, bringing an unusual background to venture capital that extends beyond the typical tech focus. He co-founded Ground Up Ventures with close friend David Stark after years of late-night startup debates and has built a reputation for being unusually accessible to founders, often responding to cold outreach and taking meetings that lead to investments.

• Passion for ice hockey and horse racing. He is a dedicated fan of the LA Kings and actively participates in the horse racing community, even encouraging people to invest in owning real horses rather than playing simulation games.
• Strong interest in American politics and the recent election cycle. He frequently commented on campaign updates, attended political rallies in New York, and shared his reactions to presidential debates and voting trends.
• Focus on supporting gritty founders and defense technology. He publicly celebrated the long-term success of portfolio founders at companies like EliseAI and emphasized the critical need for anti-drone tech innovations.
• Practical advice on deal-making and communication. He noted that shifting conversations from email to text messaging is a key strategy for establishing a genuine personal connection with business partners.