Inside Reach Capital’s $265M Fund V with Jomayra Herrera

Send us Fan MailJomayra Herrera is a Partner at Reach Capital, an early-stage venture fund investing across learning, health, and work. Previously, she worked at Emerson Collective and Cowboy Ventures, investing in companies including Handshake, Guild, Contra, and Career Karma.💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why Reach Capital is doubling down on pre-seed and early-stage investing with its new $265M Fund V.How learning, health, and work intersect to create new opportunities for innovation.What Jomayra looks for in exceptional founders, especially in the age of AI.Why the strongest AI companies go beyond AI as a feature to create new capabilities and durable advantages.How B2C-to-B2B models and school choice are creating new opportunities across education.✨ Episode Highlights:[00:03:32] Reach Capital’s $265M Fund V and its renewed focus on pre-seed investing.[00:06:28] Why Reach is choosing to go earlier rather than later.[00:08:42] The intersection of learning, health, and work.[00:16:02] The founder traits that matter most in the age of AI.[00:24:47] What makes an AI company more than just an AI feature.[00:33:14] Pathfinder, ESAs, and the changing education marketplace.[00:39:06] Jomayra’s vision for the next 10 years of investing.[00:44:24] Why strategic acquisitions and private equity remain the most common exit paths.😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders! Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com. This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education. Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now. Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.