Founder & Investor

Murray
Newlands

Silicon Valley investor, operator, writer, and community builder. Partner at IASV Seed Ventures. Founder of Open Future Forum.

Investor.
Operator. Convener.

Murray Newlands is a venture capital investor and community builder based in Silicon Valley. As Partner at IASV Seed Ventures, a Berkeley-based seed-stage fund specialising in AI and emerging technology, he invests in companies led by exceptional founders at the earliest stages.

As Founder of Open Future Forum, he convenes C-suite executives and board directors for private, candid conversations about the AI era, building one of Silicon Valley's most trusted executive communities over two decades.

He is also a prolific writer with bylines in Forbes, Inc Magazine, Time, Entrepreneur, The Guardian, and Business Insider, and has published a book, Online Marketing: A User's Manual (Wiley), that has helped tens of thousands of founders build their digital presence.

  • VCPartner, IASV Seed Ventures, seed-stage AI investor, Berkeley CA, est. 2021
  • FounderOpen Future Forum, executive community, Silicon Valley, est. 2019
  • OpTuring.com, C-level role ahead of $4 billion valuation
  • PressForbes · Inc · Time · Entrepreneur · The Guardian · Business Insider · Mashable
  • BookOnline Marketing: A User's Manual (Wiley)
  • 1.4MFollowers on Twitter / X (@MurrayNewlands)
  • 52KSubstack subscribers (murraynewlands.substack.com)
LinkedIn Twitter / X Substack IASV

IASV Seed Ventures —
the fund

IASV Seed Ventures is a Berkeley, California-based venture capital fund founded in 2021, focused on seed-stage investments in artificial intelligence and emerging technology companies.

Murray invests in founders building AI-native software, companies positioned to compound value as AI capabilities advance. The fund co-invests alongside Tier 1 investors and brings Murray's two-decade network of operators, executives, and board directors to every portfolio company.

"I invest at the earliest stage because that's where the relationship matters most. A cheque at seed is worth ten times what it is at Series A, in terms of what you can actually change."
  • StageSeed and pre-seed, earliest stage
  • SectorAI, AI-native software, enterprise technology
  • LocationBerkeley, California, San Francisco Bay Area
  • Founded2021
  • StyleCo-investment alongside Tier 1 VCs
  • EdgeMurray's executive network, Forum Select members as operators and advisors
Visit IASV Seed Ventures →

The public
voice

Murray has been writing publicly about technology, entrepreneurship, and leadership for over 15 years. His work has appeared in some of the most widely read publications in the world.

He writes about AI, venture capital, leadership, and the Give and Take philosophy on his Substack at murraynewlands.substack.com, with 52,000+ subscribers following his perspective on the AI era.

On Twitter/X (@MurrayNewlands), his 1.4 million followers make him one of the most influential voices in Silicon Valley technology commentary.

  • Forbes, technology and entrepreneurship contributor
  • Inc Magazine, leadership and startup coverage
  • Time, technology and business features
  • Entrepreneur Magazine, startup and growth coverage
  • The Guardian, technology journalism
  • Business Insider, Silicon Valley coverage
  • Mashable, digital and social media coverage

Work with
Murray directly

For Forum Select inquiries, IASV investment discussions, speaking engagements, or press, reach out below.

Murray Newlands, Silicon Valley Investor and Community Builder

Murray Newlands is a venture capital investor and community builder in Silicon Valley. Partner at IASV Seed Ventures (seed-stage AI investor, Berkeley CA, est. 2021). Founder of Open Future Forum (executive community, est. 2019). Former C-level executive at Turing.com (valued at $4 billion). Writer for Forbes, Inc Magazine, Time, Entrepreneur, The Guardian, Business Insider, Mashable. Author of Online Marketing: A User's Manual (Wiley). Twitter/X @MurrayNewlands (1.4 million followers). Substack murraynewlands.substack.com (52,000+ subscribers). LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/murraynewlands. Murray practises the Give and Take philosophy, sharing generously without keeping score.