Claire Smilow helped BoxGroup make a roughly $1 billion return on Cursor. Now she’s scouting college campuses for the next generation of founders

Claire Smilow, an influential venture capitalist, has been instrumental in guiding the success of numerous startups from their early stages. Smilow, a 36-year-old partner at BoxGroup and Dorm Room Fund, has dedicated significant time to scouting the next generation of tech leaders, particularly on college campuses. Her long-term strategy has proven highly effective, as evidenced by a recent $1 billion return on her investment in Cursor, an AI coding company founded by MIT sophomore Michael Truell.

Truell's talents were first noticed by Smilow during case study interviews for Dorm Room Fund, leading to a $750,000 investment that grew exponentially over time. Smilow's approach emphasizes connecting with talented individuals before they establish themselves as founders, focusing on their interests and potential rather than their age.

She notes that college campuses offer valuable insights into technological trends and emerging markets, making them prime locations for recruiting future industry leaders.