Robinhood plans to create Ventures Fund I, which will allow retail investors to access venture capital investments on the NYSE.
Robinhood wants to open up venture capital investments to retail investors
Brokerage company Robinhood has filed an application with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to register Robinhood Ventures Fund I (RVI), a closed-end fund whose shares will be traded on the New York Stock Exchange.
The fund will be managed by a new unit, Robinhood Ventures DE. If approved, retail investors will be able to buy and sell RVI shares through traditional brokerage platforms.
Changing the rules of the game
Until now, participation in venture capital investments has been available mainly to venture capital funds and high-net-worth investors. Robinhood proposes to open this market to a wider range of investors for the first time.
The company says the fund will invest in companies “at the forefront of their industries,” without specifying specific sectors. Traditionally, venture capital funds focus on areas with high growth potential, from AI to blockchain and Web3.
Expanding into digital assets
Robinhood has been actively expanding its presence in the digital asset space recently: it already offers crypto trading, bought the Bitstamp exchange and Canadian crypto company WonderFi for $179 million. In addition, the company is experimenting with tokenization, including “tokenized private equity.”
Venture capital is growing again
According to S&P Global, global venture capital investment in the first half of 2025 reached $189.3 billion — up from $152.4 billion in the same period in 2024. The crypto sector had its strongest second quarter since 2022, with startups raising more than $10 billion.
Key areas include tokenization, stablecoin infrastructure, and DeFi. But access to most such deals is limited to “accredited investors.”
If the SEC gives the green light to Robinhood Ventures Fund I, it would be a unique opportunity for retail investors to gain indirect access to a market that was previously closed.
