Monica Simo Black is a Miami-based venture capital investor at Function Investments who moved back to her hometown after 15 years investing in New York, Boston, and San Francisco to specifically activate local family offices and wealthy individuals as backers of post-Series A software companies. She focuses on later-stage enterprise software and fintech deals where traction is clearer, giving traditionally conservative Miami capital a less risky entry point into high-growth tech while positioning the city as a credible source of institutional-quality funding rather than just a tax haven.

• A distinct preference for productivity software and workflow tools with exceptional design. There is a clear appreciation for products that balance customizability with a lightweight feel, such as modern CRM platforms or digital note-taking interfaces like Attio and Reflect. This interest extends to AI-native tools, where preference is given to applications that outperform generalist legacy software through specific tailoring for use cases like venture capital workflows.
• Prioritization of the founding team above all other metrics at the pre-seed and seed stages. The view held is that market insights and timing are ultimately reflections of the people behind them. During diligence, significant weight is placed on reference calls to understand a founder's character, specifically asking how they might treat someone who offers them no immediate benefit.
• A focus on the concept of defensibility, particularly regarding the current shift in artificial intelligence. Founders are encouraged to build foundational value rather than superficial layers over existing technology. This aligns with a search for startups that can answer what they are uniquely building that customers are desperate for, rather than just leveraging how easy it has become to start a company with AI.
• Strong interest in vertical SaaS and B2B solutions that modernize legacy industries. Recent investments include specialized software for the steel industry and developer tools designed to remove friction in engineering workflows. There is also a history of backing parent-focused technology, specifically platforms that streamline communication between families and schools.
• Deep study and synthesis of investment philosophies from veteran venture capitalists. A significant amount of time is spent analyzing the strategies of investors like Mike Maples Jr. and Josh Kopelman, specifically regarding the importance of timing and finding non-consensus ideas. Familiarity with concepts like pattern breaking and the necessity of being right about the "why now" question would likely resonate well in a conversation.