I quit Brown after a year to launch my own venture capital firm at 21.

April 6, 2026 - 06:57

At just 21 years old, Smaiyl Makyshov has taken an unconventional path to the world of venture capital. After spending a year at Brown University, he made the decision to leave and directly launch his own venture firm. His goal is clear: to identify and fund promising young entrepreneurs, particularly those emerging from prestigious accelerator programs.

Makyshov’s firm will focus its investments on founders from communities like Y Combinator and A16z's Speedrun accelerator. He believes these programs are a powerful filter for talent and drive, assembling some of the most ambitious and capable early-stage teams. His strategy is to provide crucial early capital and support to these founders at the very beginning of their journeys.

The move represents a significant bet on both his own judgment and the potential of a new entrepreneurial generation. By stepping into the investor role so early, Makyshov aims to leverage his proximity in age and perspective to build strong, relatable partnerships with the founders he backs. He joins a small but growing number of young investors who are using their unique insights to shape the future of startup funding, arguing that understanding emerging trends often requires a fresh, contemporary viewpoint.