Jared Franklin is a seed investor at Costanoa Ventures who spent 15+ years in product roles at fintech and crypto companies like PayPal, BlockFi, and others before moving into venture capital. He runs a decade-old personal blog where he publishes detailed investment theses on specific fintech and crypto areas, writes openly about what he's learning as a new VC, and maintains an active angel portfolio alongside his institutional investing.

• Enthusiasm for AI-assisted development tools that allow non-technical builders to ship products rapidly. Recently shared personal success using platforms like Replit and Bolt to create functional web applications, such as a fun audio overlay tool inspired by a car ride with his wife, without needing designers or engineers.
• Deep expertise in financial technology and payment infrastructure. Frequently discusses the evolution of banking services, such as the shift from debit to credit innovation, and highlights the power of vertical software in helping small businesses compete by adopting modern financial tools.
• Appreciation for products that deliver transformative user experiences. Maintains a running list of services that felt magical upon first use, ranging from early internet giants like eBay to modern conveniences like mobile car maintenance and autonomous driving features.
• Focus on tactical advice for early-stage founders, particularly regarding fundraising and product growth. Offers specific guidance on avoiding cold investor outreach and emphasizes the importance of proximity to customers over raw speed when competing against large incumbent companies.
• Value placed on studying business strategy through shareholder letters and financial reports. Actively shares insights from reading annual updates from major conglomerates and fintech giants to understand broader market trends and corporate governance.