Technology Executive Petra Griffith Launches Wedbush Ventures Early Stage Venture Fund, Investing In Next Generation High Growth Companies
Santa Monica, CA – May 21, 2020 – Wedbush Ventures, an early stage venture fund, launches to invest in next generation industry defining companies. Seeded by Wedbush Capital and founded by technology product developer and entrepreneur, Petra Griffith, Wedbush Ventures brings early stage operational expertise, and long-term support to companies which transform their industries. Managing Director, Petra Griffith, founded and launched Wedbush Ventures as an avenue to provide seed capital to companies that have a unique perspective in redefining industries and solving larger market problems. Her past leadership with product, strategy, marketing, and operations teams include startup organizations and established organizations including Netflix, Yahoo!, and 24 Hour Fitness. Petra has a history of being on teams that built many firsts; the first online printing software, one of the first fitness wearables, the first native ads, and ushered a bank into the age of technology. This experience not only allows her to spot and understand product market fit, but also provides a finely tuned disciplined approach to sourcing early stage investing opportunities. “This is a momentous time in innovation. I’m excited to bring my product and operational lens to provide seed capital to accelerate the trajectory of transformational companies looking to change the way we live and do business,” stated Petra Griffith. “Wedbush Capital is a great partner not only for providing the seed capital, but also for helping me with the infrastructure to launch so that I can focus on making investments right away. Access to their research and investment banking colleagues provides even more tools to help the companies we invest in.” Eric Wedbush, CEO of Wedbush Capital, adds, “Wedbush Ventures is an exciting and natural extension of our business model, which is to back talented executives, like Petra, who are actively investing in great people and companies. Petra’s early stage focus will be able to leverage many of the unique assets we have, including our Wedbush Securities colleagues’ expertise, connections and market intelligence that span a diverse group of industries, including digital media, enterprise software, fintech and healthcare through their Capital Markets and Research Groups. About Wedbush Ventures Wedbush Ventures is an early stage venture fund investing in seed and pre-seed stage companies. Founded by entrepreneurs and industry veterans with substantive insights and authenticity, Wedbush Ventures seeks to leverage its executive background and is dedicated to provide funding for select industry disruptors, early in their life cycle, who are working to solve distinct market problems. Seeded by Wedbush Capital, Wedbush Ventures brings a wealth of connections, operational expertise at the early stage and long-term support to companies transforming their industries. About Wedbush Capital Wedbush Capital is a Los Angeles based, privately held, diversified investment firm that has been investing in private and public companies for more than 40 years, both directly as well as through its sponsored funds, such as Wedbush Capital Partners and Wedbush Ventures. Its largest holding, Wedbush Securities, is a leading financial services firm that provides its clients, both private and institutional, with a wide range of wealth management, research and investment banking services.
Wedbush Raises and Donates $350,000 to Off Their Plate During COVID-19 Relief Campaign
Los Angeles, CA – May 21, 2020 – Wedbush Securities is pleased to announce it has raised and donated $350,000 to Off Their Plate (“OTP”) to support healthcare and restaurants workers in our local communities impacted by COVID-19. Funds were raised through Wedbush’s corporate giving program, WedbushCares from generous donations by the firm’s colleagues and a matching program from the firm. In addition, Wedbush dedicated all of its net proceeds from brokerage commissions on Tuesday May 5th as part of #GivingTuesdayNow. The combination totaled a $350,000 donation to Off Their Plate. “We were so inspired by Off Their Plate founder, Natalie Guo and how with just one idea, she was able to mobilize friends, families, businesses and professionals to come together so quickly to make a meaningful impact in our communities,” stated Gary Wedbush, Co-President of Wedbush Securities. “We couldn’t be more thrilled to make this donation and we want to bring more attention to Off Their Plate by challenging other firms to join us in this effort.” Natalie Guo, Founder of Off Their Plate adds, “Wedbush’s generous donation has had an immense impact on our organization. For example, their contribution has enabled our LA region to grow substantially in size and operations, from delivering ~900 meals to now 2300+ per week, to doubling the number of LA restaurant partners and expanding our footprint to new cities and neighborhoods. We are deeply grateful to Wedbush for supporting our mission to provide income continuity to local restaurants while serving nutritious meals to healthcare staff and those in greatest need.” Off Their Plate is an innovative nonprofit which enables small restaurant businesses to provide nutritious meals to the frontline healthcare workers we all depend on and restores economic relief to restaurant shift workers who have suffered significant economic loss from the pandemic. Since its inception, just eight weeks ago, OTP has raised nearly $4 Million dollars which will serve 400,000 meals to the frontlines and provide $2 million in economic relief to restaurant workers during this pandemic. For more information, and to donate, please visit WedbushCares and Off Their Plate. About Off Their Plate Off Their Plate (OTP) is a grassroots nonprofit started on March 15 in Boston by Natalie Guo. 100% volunteer run and operational in nine of the most COVID-impacted US cities, OTP raises funds to deliver nutritious meals to frontline healthcare workers, while restoring work and providing economic relief to local restaurants and their most vulnerable staff. To operate ethically and safely during the pandemic, OTP has developed guidelines and processes for all operational areas, including needs assessment, meal preparation and delivery, and supply/demand forecasting. OTP prioritizes serving under-resourced facilities and underserved populations and builds deep, ongoing relationships with their restaurant partners to ensure meaningful income continuity and stability. As the industry embarks on a reopening phase, OTP is building on its mission to serve communities in need by leveraging its network, expertise and learnings to continue supporting restaurant partners as they navigate the transition. About Wedbush Securities Since our founding in 1955, Wedbush has been a leader in the financial services industry, providing our clients, both private and institutional, with a wide range of securities brokerage, wealth management, and investment banking services; Headquartered in Los Angeles, California with 100 registered offices and nearly 900 colleagues, the firm focuses on client service and financial safety, innovation, and the utilization of advanced technology. Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.