Tusk Venture Partners is a New York-based venture capital firm founded in 2015 by Bradley Tusk, a political strategist and entrepreneur. The firm operates on an unusual model: it often takes equity stakes in early-stage startups in exchange for political strategy and regulatory consulting, rather than – or alongside – traditional cash investment. This approach positions Tusk squarely in sectors where government interference is the primary growth blocker, including crypto and digital assets, cannabis, transportation, healthcare, and fintech.
Bradley Tusk built his reputation navigating hostile regulatory environments. Before founding the firm, he served as campaign manager for Michael Bloomberg's 2009 mayoral re-election, ran communications for Lehman Brothers, and – most famously – helped Uber win its battle to operate in New York City when the taxi lobby and city government pushed back hard. That Uber engagement, taken largely in equity, became one of the most discussed outcomes in venture history when the company went public. Tusk Ventures runs a parallel political consulting operation, Tusk Strategies, which feeds deal flow and provides the regulatory muscle that defines the firm's value proposition.
Notable investments
- Coinbase – An early bet on the leading U.S. crypto exchange before it became the dominant regulated platform in the country. Coinbase's 2021 Nasdaq direct listing was a landmark exit for early backers. (coinbase.com)
- NYDIG – Bitcoin financial services firm providing custody, lending, and payment infrastructure for banks and institutions. One of the more strategically aligned bets given NYDIG's deep regulatory engagement with U.S. banking regulators.
- Lemonade – AI-driven insurance company that went public on the NYSE in 2020. A strong early fintech win demonstrating the firm's ability to back companies disrupting licensed industries.
- FanDuel – Daily fantasy sports platform that faced years of legal uncertainty across U.S. states. Tusk's regulatory work helped FanDuel survive the scrutiny period before the broader legalization of sports betting.
- Betterment – Robo-advisory investment platform navigating SEC oversight, consistent with the firm's focus on fintech under regulatory pressure.
Public information on the full breakdown of Tusk's crypto-specific portfolio – precise entry valuations, ownership stakes, and the identity of their single disclosed lead investment – is limited. The firm does not publish a detailed fund prospectus or AUM figure publicly.
Team
Bradley Tusk is the central figure and public face of the firm. He has written extensively on the intersection of politics, regulation, and technology, including the book The Fixer: My Adventures Saving Startups from Death by Politics. The broader team spans former government officials, political operatives, and operators with experience in regulated markets. Specific partner names beyond Tusk are not consistently disclosed in public filings or press materials.
Recent activity
Tusk has been publicly vocal about crypto regulation in the United States, particularly around the need for clear federal frameworks covering digital assets. The firm's crypto-adjacent investments reflect a thesis that regulatory clarity – once achieved – will unlock institutional capital at scale. In 2024 and into 2025, Tusk Strategies continued active lobbying work in Washington on behalf of fintech and crypto clients, maintaining the firm's dual role as both investor and political operator. No major new fund announcements were confirmed publicly in this period.
Tusk Venture Partners occupies a niche that few VC firms can replicate: the ability to directly reduce regulatory risk rather than simply underwrite it. For crypto founders navigating the fragmented U.S. regulatory landscape – the SEC, CFTC, FinCEN, and state money transmitter regimes – that is a concrete and differentiated asset. The firm's track record includes genuine exits (Coinbase, Lemonade, FanDuel) alongside positions in longer-duration plays like NYDIG. For more background, see Tusk Ventures on Crunchbase and Tusk Strategies.