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22NW
22NW was founded in 2011 by John Zdanowski, a former Microsoft executive, alongside David Helfrich and Eric Azcuenaga.
22NW
22NW was founded in 2011 by John Zdanowski, a former Microsoft executive, alongside David Helfrich and Eric Azcuenaga. The firm was built to serve the investment needs of a small group of wealthy technology families, primarily from Microsoft, Amazon, and Oracle. It operates as a multi-family office that pools capital for direct investments rather than acting as a traditional fund manager. The firm's strategy spans venture capital, growth equity, and real estate. In venture and growth, 22NW participates in Series A through Series C rounds, targeting enterprise software, fintech, digital health, and cybersecurity. Confirmed positions include Amplitude, Samsara, and Auth0. Geographically, the firm invests primarily in the United States, with a focus on the San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, and New York. The real estate arm acquires multifamily and commercial properties in the same regions. 22NW has offices in San Francisco, Seattle, and New York. The firm does not publicly disclose AUM or total deployment, but its network includes several dozen technology families. In October 2022, 22NW led a $15 million Series A round in the AI-powered hiring platform Ideal (per VentureBeat, October 2022). The firm has not disclosed recent activity beyond that. 22NW's structure differentiates it from both traditional family offices and venture firms. It operates as a pooled vehicle for a limited number of families, each contributing capital to a shared investment pool. This model allows the firm to make larger direct investments than its individual families could on their own, while maintaining a long-term, patient capital approach.
General information
Firm type
Multi Family Office
Year founded
2011
AUM
Undisclosed
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
San Francisco
Corporate office
San Francisco, CA, United States
Additional offices
Seattle · New York
Principals
John Zdanowski
Founder & Managing Partner
David Helfrich
Managing Partner
Eric Azcuenaga
Partner
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at 22NW?
John Zdanowski, founder and managing partner, leads investment strategy alongside managing partner David Helfrich and partner Eric Azcuenaga. The firm's investment committee includes all three principals. They source deals through their network of technology executives and industry contacts.
Is 22NW structured as a single family office or does it operate more like a venture firm?
22NW is a multi-family office that pools capital from a select group of wealthy technology families. It operates with a venture-style investment process but with patient, long-term capital. Unlike a traditional VC firm, 22NW does not charge management fees or carry on all investments, instead aligning interests through direct co-investment with its families.
What investment stages does 22NW typically target?
22NW focuses on Series A through Series C venture and growth-stage companies. It has led rounds in earlier-stage companies like Ideal (Series A) and participated in later-stage rounds in firms like Amplitude (growth equity). The firm also invests in real estate through a separate vehicle.
Does 22NW participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?
22NW primarily makes direct investments in companies and real estate, rather than committing to external funds. It occasionally co-invests alongside other family offices and venture firms. The firm's model is built on direct ownership and control of its investments.
Which sectors does 22NW explicitly avoid?
22NW does not invest in cryptocurrency, blockchain, or consumer social media startups. The firm targets enterprise software, fintech, digital health, and cybersecurity. It also avoids early-stage biotech and hard science startups, preferring companies with revenue traction.
How is 22NW related to the technology wealth of Microsoft, Amazon, and Oracle?
22NW's founding families include former executives and early employees from Microsoft, Amazon, and Oracle. The firm was created to manage the wealth generated by these individuals' equity compensation and exits. It does not disclose specific family names, maintaining privacy as a multi-family office.
Does 22NW maintain philanthropic structures, and how are they separated?
22NW does not publicly disclose its philanthropic activities. It is likely that individual families within the network maintain their own charitable foundations or donor-advised funds, but these are separate from the firm's investment pool. The firm itself does not operate a dedicated foundation.
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
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