This French VC Went From Posting On YouTube To Raising A $12M Fund For Y Combinator Startups
Venture capital is full of investors chasing the “next big thing.” But this French VC went from posting on YouTube to raising a $12M fund for Y Combinator startups, proving that consistency and focus can outperform hype.
Image Credits:Lobster Capital
Meet Gabriel Jarrosson, an engineer-turned-YouTuber-turned-investor, who built Lobster Capital around one bold thesis: if it’s not a Y Combinator company, he won’t invest. That strict discipline has already paid off.
From YouTube Creator To Fund Manager
Back in 2017, Jarrosson was frustrated by the lack of access to promising French startups. Instead of waiting for opportunity, he launched a YouTube channel where he broke down investment strategies in French.
The channel quickly gained traction, building a loyal audience of aspiring investors. Over time, it grew into one of Europe’s largest angel syndicates, deploying over $36 million into startups since 2020, mostly YC alumni.
Why Only Invest In Y Combinator Startups?
Jarrosson’s reasoning is rooted in probabilities. Data shows YC companies consistently outperform their peers:
-
Around 4.5% of YC companies become unicorns, compared to 2.5% for other venture-backed seed startups.
-
Nearly 45% of YC startups raise a Series A, higher than the 33% average.
-
YC has already produced 90+ unicorns worldwide, setting it apart as a global launchpad for billion-dollar companies.
For Jarrosson, the numbers speak louder than trend-chasing. Betting on YC startups isn’t just preference—it’s strategy.
Lobster Capital: From $8M Target To $12M Reality
In 2025, Jarrosson officially launched Lobster Capital, a fund dedicated exclusively to YC startups. The debut fund closed at $12 million, surpassing its initial $8 million goal.
SEC filings show a larger second fund is already in the works, signaling strong demand from LPs who believe in Jarrosson’s YC-first thesis. His focus is simple: back early-stage startups with higher odds of success, and let YC’s selection process do the heavy lifting.
Content To Capital
Jarrosson’s story is more than just about raising a fund—it’s about proving that content can build credibility. By consistently posting on YouTube, he built trust, authority, and a network that translated into real capital.
Today, his journey illustrates how the next generation of venture capitalists might emerge—not from Wall Street, but from YouTube, podcasts, and creator-driven platforms.
This French VC went from posting on YouTube to raising a $12M fund for Y Combinator startups, showing how discipline, data, and content can converge to build a modern venture firm. As Lobster Capital gears up for its second fund, Jarrosson’s model may inspire more investors to carve out unique, conviction-driven strategies in a crowded market.
Post a Comment