How Justin Ernest invested nearly $400M into hot startups without a traditional VC fund

Justin Ernest invested nearly $400 million into startups through his Sabertooth VC firm without a traditional venture fund structure. Instead of a lengthy fundraising process, Ernest leveraged a network of limited partners (LPs) to deploy capital into companies such as Anthropic, Anduril, and SpaceX. This approach allowed Sabertooth VC to operate with greater agility, making investments in promising startups that were experiencing rapid growth. The firm's strategy focused on identifying and backing companies with strong potential in sectors like artificial intelligence and aerospace. Ernest's method bypasses the typical year-long cycle of raising capital from institutional investors and family offices, enabling faster deployment of funds to founders. This innovative fundraising model positions Sabertooth VC as a distinct player in the venture capital landscape, prioritizing speed and direct LP relationships over traditional fund management structures. The $400 million figure represents the total capital deployed across multiple investments made by the firm.