In this brief you’ll find:
X26 is launching a fund!
Since 2021, we've invested over $1M via SPVs into ex-McKinsey founders, with strong performance (4.5x+ net TVPI). Our portfolio has gone on to be backed by the best in the world – YC, A16Z, Sequoia, Benchmark, and General Catalyst. The main constraint hasn't been access to great companies, it's been the speed at which we can execute deals.
That's why we're formalising this into a dedicated fund – built to back McKinsey founders from the outset. We had over $5M in inbound interest for our inaugural fund!
We're aiming for our first close to take place over the summer. For those of you that have registered your interest, you should have received a commitment letter to sign.
For others, if you would like to learn more, reach out to [email protected] or book a call here. If you would like to commit to the fund, you can sign a non-binding commitment letter here.
Before then, we have some amazing founders in our network that are currently raising.
Vertical AI that grows top-line revenue for industrial manufacturers by automating procurement and supply chain activities.
~$50K annual return in 3 months, 4 deployments in progress representing $1M in potential revenue, and $5M+ in qualified pipeline. ~25% of pre-seed committed.
Adam Trotman (CEO) and Michael Dawes (CTO) are both ex-McKinsey Toronto, where they worked on QB studies and in McKinsey's GenAI lab (GAIL).
Email us if you would like an introduction
Building a fully licenced AI-native real estate brokerage powered by an end-to-end Real Estate OS, allowing brokers to 3x their deals and capturing the $1.5 trillion global commission pool.
$300K committed from angels. Waiting on term sheets from two regional VCs ($300K to $800K tickets), and in active diligence with three family offices and one multi-family office.
Founding team of Zade Al Borshaid (ex-Antler, Ex-McKinsey MEO, Columbia University), Nicolas Bochenko (led Property Finder tech from 4 to 100+ engineers; rebuilt Hunger Station tech stack for Delivery Hero and scaled team to 70+ engineers), and Laura Adams as Head of Brokerage (25+ years in Dubai real estate, trained 5,000+ brokers, prior brokerage exit).
Email us if you would like an introduction
AI operating system for commercial lending, starting with pre-underwriting workflows to help banks move faster, improve credit consistency, and expand lending capacity.
Launched a POC with a $60B+ regional bank two weeks ago, with a broader pipeline representing ~$5M in weighted revenue on conversion. Winner of Best of Show at Finovate Fall NYC '25.
Sophie Jewsbury (President, ex-McKinsey London, former commercial lending founder in Vietnam, former early-stage fintech investor, HBS MBA) and Shivangi Khanna (CEO, ex-JPMorgan fixed income capital markets, ran Ally Bank's white-labeled mortgage program at Better Mortgage, HBS MBA).
Email us if you would like an introduction
Ex-McKinsey Founder’s Database
Ex-McKinsey Investor’s Database
Thanks for being a part of this amazing community. We’re excited for everything that’s to come.
Love,
The X26 team.