• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Microsoft AI chief gives it 18 months—for all white-collar work to be automated by AI

2

Former top Russian official admits the country is over Putin and can 'imagine a future without him' — even elites bail as Kremlin seizes their assets 

3

The Bezos family just donated $100 million to help achieve one of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s top campaign promises

1

Microsoft AI chief gives it 18 months—for all white-collar work to be automated by AI

2

Former top Russian official admits the country is over Putin and can 'imagine a future without him' — even elites bail as Kremlin seizes their assets 

3

The Bezos family just donated $100 million to help achieve one of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s top campaign promises
Satire from Fortune

Group of White Men in Patagonia Vests Confused for VC Fund, Raise $500 Million

By
Ashwin Rodrigues
Ashwin Rodrigues
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Ashwin Rodrigues
Ashwin Rodrigues
Down Arrow Button Icon
September 29, 2017, 3:49 PM ET
patagonia-vest-satire-fortune
Getty Images (3)Photo Illustration by Getty Images (3)

MENLO PARK, Calif.—Talk about crowdfunding!

A group of white men wearing Patagonia vests on Sunday were confused for partners of a venture capital fund and went on to raise $500 million by lunch.

Geoffrey Anderson, Brent Koch, Chase Fowler, and Erik Evans were lounging inside the Peet’s Coffee on Santa Cruz Ave. when one customer, who managed a pension fund, walked up and offered the fleece-clad men a check for $50 million. The move sparked a flurry of follow-on investment offers from a growing crowd of caffeinated customers who didn’t want to miss out on the Valley’s next big fund. On-looking investors from Bay Area firms were amazed, wondering how they’d not heard of this group of vest-wearing white men, who appeared to be a venture capital powerhouse.

With $500 million in hand, the four men walked out of Peet’s bewildered but ready to embark on an “awesome journey” to identify and fund Silicon Valley’s next great startup. “People were asking what our biggest bets are and whether I had ever made an investment that resulted in a 10X return,” Fowler says. “I told them I once stole someone’s Uber during surge pricing. They said that was different.”

A spokesman for apparel company Patagonia could not condone the group. “The Better Sweater vest in question is made with a moisture-wicking fleece interior that’s ideal for hunting and camping. We have no idea how it became the uniform of white men in office parks making multimillion-dollar early stage investments,” he said. Adding, “None of these people were even hiking!”

While the group may be inexperienced, they do not lack confidence. “I’ve already seen every episode of Shark Tank,” said Anderson. “And I’m totally into cool new opportunities in VR and augmented reality. I mean, Pokémon Go is, like, still my favorite game.”

“At first I tried to tell people we don’t work in venture capital,” Evans said. “But then I got to thinking, how hard can it be? I can always tell which ideas are good ideas, and now I have a few hundred million dollars to prove it.”

At the close of business two weeks after receiving the $500 million, the Patagonia Vest Partners (PVP) is experiencing mixed results. PVP invested the entirety of their capital on two companies, one of which has already failed and closed its doors.

Their first investment went to Tacksy, a “Taxis, but for Uber” startup which flipped the “Uber for X” business model on its head. Koch, who sourced and led this deal, admitted he thought it was a great idea, but wasn’t clear how it worked, or why.

Amazingly, the second startup, Patagon.io (no relation to Patagonia), is experiencing hockey stick growth. A group of data scientists have found a way using drones and artificial intelligence to geolocate groups of white men wearing Patagonia vests, in order to predict future investment opportunities.

“We hope this bet pays off,” said Evans. “None of us want to go back to high school,” noting the group had been on their way to class before raising $500 million.

For more satire from Fortune, click here.

About the Author
By Ashwin Rodrigues
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in

Ukraine brings the war to Moscow with one its largest drone attacks on the capital, adding to the ‘darkening cloud of anxiety over Russia’
EuropeRussia
Ukraine brings the war to Moscow with one its largest drone attacks on the capital, adding to the ‘darkening cloud of anxiety over Russia’
By Samya Kullab and The Associated PressMay 17, 2026
10 minutes ago
Drone strike sparks fire at UAE nuclear power plant, the first time it’s been attacked since the Iran war started
EnergyNuclear Energy
Drone strike sparks fire at UAE nuclear power plant, the first time it’s been attacked since the Iran war started
By Jon Gambrell, Samy Magdy and The Associated PressMay 17, 2026
23 minutes ago
This community college student is America’s entrant in the Olympics of skilled trades. ‘I always wanted to be the first female to do something’
Future of Workthe future of work
This community college student is America’s entrant in the Olympics of skilled trades. ‘I always wanted to be the first female to do something’
By Mike Householder and The Associated PressMay 17, 2026
33 minutes ago
Some states blast utilities for ‘blatant corporate greed’ as profits rise while consumers revolt against AI-fueled electric bills
EnergyUtilities
Some states blast utilities for ‘blatant corporate greed’ as profits rise while consumers revolt against AI-fueled electric bills
By Marc Levy and The Associated PressMay 17, 2026
42 minutes ago
 Sen. Bill Cassidy, who voted to convict Trump in Jan. 6 impeachment, loses primary as president retains grip on GOP — ‘that’s what you get’
PoliticsRepublican Party
 Sen. Bill Cassidy, who voted to convict Trump in Jan. 6 impeachment, loses primary as president retains grip on GOP — ‘that’s what you get’
By Thomas Beaumont, Jack Brook, Stephen Smith and The Associated PressMay 17, 2026
59 minutes ago
murdochs
CommentaryMedia
OpenAI paid $100 million for a talk show. James Murdoch is eyeing an even bigger deal. The hot new asset class is humanity
By Lin CherryMay 17, 2026
3 hours ago

Most Popular

Microsoft AI chief gives it 18 months—for all white-collar work to be automated by AI
AI
Microsoft AI chief gives it 18 months—for all white-collar work to be automated by AI
By Jake AngeloMay 16, 2026
1 day ago
Former top Russian official admits the country is over Putin and can 'imagine a future without him' — even elites bail as Kremlin seizes their assets 
Politics
Former top Russian official admits the country is over Putin and can 'imagine a future without him' — even elites bail as Kremlin seizes their assets 
By Jason MaMay 16, 2026
17 hours ago
The Bezos family just donated $100 million to help achieve one of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s top campaign promises
Politics
The Bezos family just donated $100 million to help achieve one of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s top campaign promises
By Jake AngeloMay 12, 2026
5 days ago
‘You’re not a hero, you’re a liability’: Shark Tank’s Kevin O’Leary warns Gen Z founders to stop glorifying hustle culture
Future of Work
‘You’re not a hero, you’re a liability’: Shark Tank’s Kevin O’Leary warns Gen Z founders to stop glorifying hustle culture
By Jacqueline MunisMay 16, 2026
1 day ago
Meet the 20-year-old CEO who launched a company in high school to solve Gen Z's entry-level job crisis
Future of Work
Meet the 20-year-old CEO who launched a company in high school to solve Gen Z's entry-level job crisis
By Jake AngeloMay 16, 2026
1 day ago
SpaceX heads into a record-shattering IPO with the 'deepest moat that exists today' as investors vow to 'never bet against Elon'
Innovation
SpaceX heads into a record-shattering IPO with the 'deepest moat that exists today' as investors vow to 'never bet against Elon'
By Jason MaMay 16, 2026
23 hours ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.