Robinhood Ventures Fund I (RVI), the closed-end fund launched by Robinhood Markets (HOOD), has deployed over $34.5 million in two significant private market investments, targeting payments giant Stripe and AI audio startup ElevenLabs.
The fund purchased $14,577,645 of Stripe Class B Common Stock in secondary transactions on March 9, 2026. This was followed by a $19,999,971.34 investment in ElevenLabs Series D Preferred Stock in a primary transaction on March 12, 2026. Together, these moves represent a strategic push by Robinhood into late-stage private infrastructure companies.
RVI launched in February 2026, raising approximately $658.4 million in its initial public offering (IPO) with shares priced at $25. It began trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker RVI on March 6, 2026, offering retail investors a novel vehicle for exposure to pre-IPO companies. The fund's portfolio now includes nine companies, with prior holdings such as Databricks, Ramp, and Revolut.
"We’re excited to add Stripe and ElevenLabs to Robinhood Ventures Fund I and are proud to offer retail investors access to these frontier companies," said Sarah Pinto, President of Robinhood Ventures Fund I.
The investment in Stripe is particularly notable for its crypto implications. Stripe, valued at roughly $159 billion, has become a core player in stablecoin and tokenization infrastructure following its acquisition of Bridge. The company now offers stablecoin accounts and products, positioning it as a critical rail for on-chain settlement and "invisible" crypto payments. This gives Robinhood indirect exposure to the growing tokenized payments ecosystem.
ElevenLabs, founded in 2022 and based in London, focuses on AI-powered audio, voice, and speech technology. Its platforms serve millions of users across voice agents, content creation tools, and developer APIs. This investment aligns with Robinhood's broader bet on AI-driven user experience and narrative shaping how retail investors interact with financial markets.
Analysts view these bets as Robinhood "buying optionality on two rails: how money moves (Stripe and stablecoins) and how information is produced and consumed (AI audio)." The moves signal a strategic extension beyond retail trading into the foundational infrastructure of fintech and the next wave of AI-driven consumer products.
