Jay-Z’s no ‘Cowboy Carter’ as Pendulum investment deal nears

Marcy Venture Partners, the firm co-founded by hip-hop star Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter, is in advanced talks to merge with the investment arm of Pendulum Holdings, according to people familiar with the matter.

A merger between the two California-based entities is close to being finalized, the people said, asking not to be identified discussing confidential information. 

Representatives from Marcy Venture Partners and Pendulum declined to comment. 

Marcy Venture Partners was co-founded in 2018 by Jay-Z, 54, along with Jay Brown and Larry Marcus. Marcy is a nod to Brooklyn’s Marcy Projects — where Jay-Z grew up. It has invested in companies including a startup that makes vegan chicken nuggets, Merit Beauty, Our Place and Babylist. Jay-Z has separately backed Swedish oat-milk maker Oatly, as well as joining a funding round with Katy Perry and Serena Williams for Impossible Foods Inc. 

Describing itself as a “consumer & culture” investor, the San Francisco-based firm has also backed Rihanna’s lingerie line, a crypto-security firm, a phone-case maker and an electric-bike manufacturer, among others. 

Pendulum was co-founded in 2019 by husband and wife Robbie and D’Rita Robinson, and has invested in companies including Chinese food brand Fly by Jing Inc., Founders Table Restaurant Group and co working and warehouse provider Saltbox. Robbie Robinson began his career at Goldman Sachs and has worked as a financial adviser to Barack Obama. 

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