And yes — we know what Google shows you.

From Reddit threads to media articles, a lot has been said about us.

So instead of letting headlines define us, here's the full story — directly from the founder.

🧠 Who We Are

16VC backs bold founders building the future of AI & Tech.

We're a newly launched venture capital fund with $20M AUM, investing globally at the Pre-Seed and Seed stages.

🚀 Fund Snapshot

Detail Info Registered 2025 (UK-based) Fund Size $20M AUM Stage Pre-Seed / Seed Cheque Size $250K — $2M Focus Agnostic — AI, Infra, SaaS, Tools Status Actively investing (2025)

🛤️ My Journey: From Healthtech to Venture Capital

I'm Sridhar Arunagiri, founder and general partner of 16VC.

My background isn't in finance or big VC firms — it's in healthcare.

  • In 2020, I founded Famwork, a healthcare EHR startup during the pandemic.
  • I worked directly with doctors, clinics, and health systems — solving real operational issues.
  • Over time, I gained the trust of doctors and health professionals who later backed me as LPs when I moved into venture investing.

By 2022, I had formed an angel investing group.

By 2024, that evolved into a formal venture capital fund, and in 2025, 16VC launched with $20M AUM.

This journey wasn't institutional — it was built on trust and track record with real operators and professionals.

⚠️ Why the Backlash Happened (2024–2025)

You may have seen headlines or Reddit posts calling 16VC a "scam" or criticizing our hiring. Here's what really happened — no spin.

🔥 The "Unpaid Jobs" Controversy (Early 2025)

In January 2025, I posted several open roles at 16VC.

These included a 1-month unpaid trial period, after which performance-based offers would follow.

The intention: fast learning, real collaboration, early-stage experience.

The reaction: "This is exploitation."

The backlash was loud — and justified.

📰 National coverage:

We removed the roles. We stopped all unpaid trials. And we took responsibility.

🇩🇪 The Berlin Studio & Visa Issue (Late 2024)

We also attempted to launch a Berlin-based product studio, hiring remote-first talent with plans to relocate.

  • We hired engineers and operators globally.
  • Visa logistics were handled by third-party immigration consultants.
  • Candidates paid their own visa processing fees.
  • Due to visa delays and EU waitlists, the relocation failed.
  • The Berlin studio was shut down.

Reddit painted it as a scam.

We never charged anyone for a job — but our execution created confusion and real damage.

🔗 Reddit Discussions & Controversy Threads

Here are the public discussions where we were criticized — and why:

We understand the frustration. And while we may not agree with all interpretations, we accept the outcomes and have made structural changes since.

🧠 What We've Learned

  • No unpaid trials. Ever again.
  • International hiring must include full visa sponsorship and support — not just good intentions.
  • Founders are responsible for every outcome tied to their name.
  • Transparency is a must — before things go wrong, not after.

🎙️ How We Responded

We addressed the backlash through:

  • 🎙️ Unfiltered 16VC Podcast — honest founder reflections
  • 📺 16VC YouTube — startup stories, interviews, and lessons learned
  • 📝 Internal restructuring of all hiring, communication, and relocation policies

We didn't hide. We showed up — imperfectly, but openly.

✅ Where We Stand Now

Despite what the internet says, 16VC is alive and building.

We are:

  • 💸 Actively deploying our $20M fund in 2025
  • 🧠 Running the 16VC Fellowship and Accelerator to support early founders
  • 📩 Hiring selectively, with structured, paid roles
  • 🛠️ Still backing the most daring builders in tech

Here's our public roadmap:

None

🙏 Final Words

You're welcome to form your own opinion. Just make sure it's informed.

We've made real mistakes. But we've also done real work — and we're still here doing it.

If you're a founder, operator, or future partner:

Thank you for reading this with an open mind.

—

Sridhar Arunagiri

Founder & General Partner, 16VC

📧 info@16vc.co

🌐 www.16vc.co

📺 YouTube: @16vc