Why Product Placement and Cultural Cachet are Key to DVRGNT Ventures' Investment Strategy

Terrible movies can teach you a lot about great investments. Watching "War of the Worlds" didn't just reaffirm our investment strategy; it helped us see why our approach to cultural cachet is the key

What if the best venture capital investment strategy wasn't found in a spreadsheet, but in a terrible sci-fi movie? At DVRGNT Ventures, we're proving that product placement and cultural cachet are the ultimate indicators of a game-changing company.

The other night, I was watching "War of the Worlds" (and let's be real, it's one of the worst movies ever made). As I sat there, a thought hit me: The sheer amount of product placement in it—from Amazon to Facebook and WhatsApp—isn't just a Hollywood thing. It's a massive clue. Media and products are deeply intertwined, and that powerful alignment is a core part of our strategy at DVRGNT Ventures.

Here's the thing: We believe in finding and investing in products that have a real, authentic "cachet" with the right kind of people—the thought leaders and tastemakers who shape culture. For me, finding cachet isn't about chasing the next fleeting trend. It's about spotting inherent appeal and potential that other firms might completely miss. I'm a "product person" at heart, and if I can connect with a product's purpose, I know we can help it supercharge its growth.

Our unique approach has led us to some incredible opportunities, especially in places that are often overlooked, like the Great 38™ region (the South, Midwest, and Mountain West). Take our investment in Rejuvenation, for example. They're a beverage company with innovative drinks, including one based on okra. For me, it was a personal addiction first. But soon after, a major celebrity took notice, and big-name retailers like Whole Foods and Sprouts started showing interest. That’s not just a good product—that's undeniable cultural resonance and transformative potential beyond traditional tech investments.

By building deep, meaningful relationships with founders and leveraging the power of influence and media, we’re not just trying to make a quick buck. We’re working to create a circumstance for rampant innovation and economic equity in these historically underinvested communities. We believe that by supporting products that tastemakers champion, we can generate significant returns for our investors and drive some serious impact where it’s needed most. Our content, from these Substack posts to our upcoming podcasts, is all about sharing these stories and showing how great products and smart capitalism can benefit everyone.

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We’d love for you to join the conversation:

For Investors:

What products have you seen gain unexpected momentum because of their cultural cachet, maybe even through a surprising media alignment?

For Founders:

Are you building a product with inherent cachet that's ready to capture the imagination of tastemakers, especially from the Great 38? We want to hear from you.

Apply at the link below to learn more about our founder-first approach.