Fritz Lanman

Fritz Lanman stands as a distinguished figure in the venture capital landscape, currently serving as a Venture Partner at Acequia Capital. In this pivotal role, he brings a wealth of entrepreneurial success and operational acumen to the firm's early-stage investment strategy. Acequia Capital benefits immensely from his deep understanding of scaling technology companies, identifying disruptive innovations, and nurturing promising founders.

Lanman's career background is marked by a series of significant achievements as a founder. He is most widely recognized as the co-founder and former CEO of ClassPass, a revolutionary subscription service that transformed the fitness and wellness industry. Under his leadership, ClassPass grew into a global phenomenon, demonstrating his exceptional ability to build, scale, and successfully exit a consumer-facing technology platform. Prior to ClassPass, Lanman also co-founded Livestar, which was later acquired by Pinterest, and was involved with Doppler Labs, known for its innovative hearable technology. His entrepreneurial journey began earlier, including a tenure at Microsoft where he contributed to various product initiatives, laying a foundational understanding of large-scale technology development and market dynamics.

At Acequia Capital, Fritz Lanman's investment focus areas are deeply informed by his firsthand experience. He primarily targets early-stage technology companies, with a keen interest in consumer technology, software-as-a-service (SaaS) platforms, and businesses built on robust subscription models. His expertise extends to marketplaces and companies leveraging innovative approaches to health, wellness, and lifestyle sectors. Lanman seeks out visionary founders who are tackling significant market opportunities with scalable solutions and a clear path to execution.

His value to portfolio companies extends beyond capital. As an active Venture Partner, Lanman provides strategic guidance, mentorship, and access to his extensive network. Founders benefit from his practical insights on product development, market entry, growth strategies, and navigating the complexities of scaling a startup. His track record of building successful companies from the ground up makes him an invaluable resource for entrepreneurs aiming to replicate similar success. Fritz Lanman's role at Acequia Capital underscores his commitment to fostering the next generation of innovative technology leaders and shaping the future of various industries through strategic investment.