25madison

25madison is a New York City-based early-stage venture platform and startup studio that incubates new businesses and invests in pre-seed to Series A companies. The firm operates a hybrid model that combines direct capital investment with operational services such as product design, engineering, and artificial intelligence development across the healthtech, supply chain, and enterprise software sectors. Backed by Apollo Global Management, an asset manager with approximately $500 billion in assets under management, the firm leverages strategic corporate partnerships to accelerate portfolio growth. The organization manages specialized vehicles, including a healthtech incubator launched with a $20 million initial commitment in partnership with LifePoint Health, and holds equity stakes in portfolio companies such as Truehold, Suited, and Harbor. 25madison was founded in 2018 by Steven Price, Matt Eby, Lance West, and Gary Ginsberg.

High-Level Overview

25madison is a New York-based venture platform that blends venture studio, incubation, and early-stage investment to build and scale innovative companies from the ground up. Its mission centers on transforming bold ideas into category-defining businesses by combining capital, operational expertise, and strategic guidance. The firm’s investment philosophy is rooted in active partnership with founders, offering hands-on support and leveraging deep industry networks to accelerate growth. 25madison focuses on high-impact sectors including AI-native software, B2B SaaS, healthcare, supply chain, and fintech, with a particular emphasis on startups that can benefit from applied AI and operational transformation. By bridging the gap between concept and scale, 25madison plays a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of market leaders in the U.S. startup ecosystem.

Origin Story

Founded in 2018, 25madison emerged from a vision to create a new model for venture building—one that integrates investment, incubation, and operational support under one roof. The firm was established by a team of seasoned operators and investors with extensive experience in scaling technology companies and navigating multiple market cycles. Over time, 25madison evolved to include specialized studios such as 25m Health (healthtech), 25m Supply Chain, and 25m Evolve (AI-native applications), each designed to address sector-specific challenges and opportunities. The platform’s close integration with strategic partners like Apollo Global Management and its affiliate businesses—including Madison Point Capital and Creature, a leading brand and UX agency—has allowed it to expand its reach and impact, solidifying its reputation as a builder-first venture platform.

Core Differentiators

• Integrated Venture Studio Model: 25madison doesn’t just invest—it incubates, builds, and operates alongside founders, offering in-house expertise across product, marketing, and technical domains.
• Sector-Specific Studios: Dedicated studios for healthtech, supply chain, and AI-native SaaS enable deep domain knowledge and tailored support for startups in complex verticals.
• Strategic Network: Partnerships with major private equity firms, corporate players, and distribution networks provide startups with access to resources, customers, and follow-on capital.
• Operator-Led Approach: The team comprises active builders and former founders, ensuring practical, real-world guidance rather than just financial backing.
• Affiliate Ecosystem: Creature (brand/marketing) and Madison Point Capital (early-stage fund) enhance the platform’s ability to deliver end-to-end support, from concept to market leadership.

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

25madison is riding the convergence of three powerful trends: the rise of AI-native applications, the increasing demand for operational transformation in legacy industries, and the growing importance of specialized venture studios in early-stage innovation. By focusing on sectors where AI can drive meaningful efficiency and disruption—such as healthcare, supply chain, and B2B software—the firm is well-positioned to capitalize on the next wave of enterprise transformation. The timing is critical, as businesses across industries seek to modernize and leverage AI for competitive advantage. 25madison’s model influences the broader ecosystem by lowering the barrier to entry for founders, accelerating the path from idea to market, and fostering a new generation of scalable, tech-driven companies.

Quick Take & Future Outlook

Looking ahead, 25madison is poised to deepen its impact as AI adoption accelerates and the demand for specialized, hands-on venture support grows. The firm’s ability to combine capital, operational muscle, and strategic partnerships will likely attract top-tier founders and enable the creation of breakout companies in high-growth sectors. As the lines between venture capital, incubation, and operational transformation continue to blur, 25madison’s integrated model may set a new standard for how startups are built and scaled. The future will likely see the platform expanding its studio footprint, forging new corporate alliances, and further shaping the landscape of early-stage innovation in the U.S. and beyond.