500 Startups topped the list of most active global VCs in Q4'18, investing in 51 total companies.
After 500 Startups CEO David McClure stepped down in July 2017 following allegations of misconduct, cofounder Christine Tsai stepped in to take over as CEO of the startup accelerator and VC firm.
Under Tsai and the firm’s new partial co-owners, the Abu Dhabi Financial Group, 500 Startups has been quietly reasserting itself as a deal-making fund.
During Q4’18, California-based 500 Startups was by far the most active global VC, funding 51 companies, including Goldbelly, Chewse, and AppOnboard.
The fund beat out large smart money VCs like Sequoia Capital and NEA.
The next most active funds were Plug and Play Ventures (also based in California), which funded 34 companies, and Beijing-based Sequoia Capital China, which funded 28.
The Abu Dhabi Financial Group — a longtime LP of 500 — made an unconventional investment directly in 500 Startups last April.
While the full terms of the investment were not disclosed, ADFG stated in a release that the investment was to help “accelerate 500’s key initiatives, expand to new markets and anchor future global funds.”