# Olaf Sakkers bets on beating emerging manager squeeze

> Olaf Sakkers aims to beat VC fundraising odds with small-scale, high-impact investments.
- Title: Olaf Sakkers bets on beating emerging manager squeeze
- Summary: Olaf Sakkers aims to beat VC fundraising odds with small-scale, high-impact investments.
- Keywords: olaf sakkers, redblue capital, vc fundraising, first-time fund manager, small investments, robotics, logistics, cybersecurity, automotive, net internal rate of return, 50% returns, emerging manager squeeze
- Source: TechCrunch — https://techcrunch.com/2026/11/11/olaf-sakkers-is-betting-he-can-beat-the-emerging-manager-squeeze
- Author: Connie Loizos
- Published: 2026-11-11T20:04:28+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: olaf sakkers, redblue capital, vc fundraising, first-time fund manager, small investments, robotics, logistics, cybersecurity, automotive, net internal rate of return, 50% returns, emerging manager squeeze
## Emerging manager squeeze
PitchBook data shows first-time funds captured only 4.5% of U.S. VC fundraising dollars in first nine months of 2026.
## Olaf Sakkers' background
Sakkers founded RedBlue Capital in 2021 after studying anthropology at Princeton and serving in Israel Defense Forces.
## First fund success
RedBlue's first fund closed with $5 million in 2023, backing cybersecurity-focused automotive startups.
## Second fund strategy
Sakkers' second fund targets $50 million with small checks of $50,000-$100,000 for robotics and logistics companies.
## Investment results
15 of 28 investments marked up with net internal rate of return significantly above 50%.
## Key clients
RedBlue backed HappyRobot, Westmag, Flai, and Humble Robotics with strong exits.
## Sakkers' approach
Sakkers uses AI tools to track relationships and meetings while avoiding guesswork.
## Market context
Smaller vc funds outperform larger ones at net tvpi across recent vintages.
## Sakkers' outlook
Sakkers says life is short and regrets last forever, focusing on long-term trust building.
## Key takeaway

Olaf Sakkers' RedBlue Capital, a first-time fund manager, targets 50%+ returns through small investments in robotics and logistics with 15 of 28 deals marked up.