Jay-Z’s Marcy Ventures joins forces with Pendulum Holdings' investment arm


Key Points

  • Jay-Z's Marcy Ventures merges with Pendulum Holdings’ investment arm, creating MarcyPen Capital Partners with $900 million in assets. 
  • MarcyPen aims to accelerate funding for diverse entrepreneurs, combining expertise to expand access to venture capital. 
  • The merger reflects Jay-Z’s growing business empire and commitment to Black-led financial power and inclusive entrepreneurship.

Marcy Venture Partners, the investment firm co-founded by Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter, hip-hop’s first billionaire and one of America’s leading Black billionaires, has solidified its position in the venture capital space through a merger with Pendulum Holdings’ investment arm, Pendulum Opportunities. This strategic move brings together two powerhouse entities and marks a significant step toward consolidating Black-led financial influence.

Merger strengthens support for diverse founders

The newly formed MarcyPen Capital Partners now manages $900 million in assets, reflecting a significant consolidation of Black-led financial power. This merger, finalized in September after talks that began in May, aims to accelerate funding for underrepresented entrepreneurs, aligning with both firms' missions to support diverse founders and businesses.

MarcyPen plans to build on Pendulum's efforts to raise $250 million for its Fund II initiative. Regulatory filings indicate that over $100 million has already been secured under the MarcyPen Opportunities Fund II, positioning the merged entity as a formidable player in the competitive venture capital market.

By combining the expertise of both firms, the merger is designed to expand access to capital for underrepresented entrepreneurs while reflecting the growing trend of Black-led investment firms scaling up in private equity and venture capital.

Marcy Venture Partners targets inclusive investments

Marcy Venture Partners, founded in 2018 by Jay-Z, Jay Brown, and Larry Marcus, has a proven track record of backing innovative, inclusive companies.

Its portfolio includes notable stakes in Savage x Fenty, Spatial Labs, and Partake Foods, with a focus on investing in diverse, often Black-owned, businesses. The leadership of Jay Brown and Larry Marcus brings invaluable expertise in cultural influence and financial strategy.

Pendulum Holdings, launched in 2019 by former Obama adviser Robbie Robinson and his wife D’Rita Robinson, is similarly dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs of color.

The firm has maintained a low public profile, opting not to announce deals publicly, but its mission aligns closely with that of MarcyPen.

Jay-Z’s expanding empire

The merger represents a key milestone in Jay-Z’s transformation from hip-hop mogul to global business titan. Recognized as hip-hop's first billionaire in 2019, his net worth has since surged to $2.5 billion in 2024, according to Forbes, fueled by strategic investments and divestments. In 2023, he sold a majority stake in his cognac brand D’Usse to Bacardi, further solidifying his reputation as a savvy dealmaker.

Despite facing legal challenges, including a federal lawsuit alleging sexual misconduct, Jay-Z's business ventures remain resilient. His partnership with the NFL has been reaffirmed, reflecting strong corporate confidence in his leadership. For Jay-Z, the merger is not just a financial maneuver, but also a cultural and economic statement about the power of Black wealth and leadership in shaping the future of global business.