Frank Rotman, the renowned fintech investor and co-founder of QED Investors, has announced his transition to a partner emeritus role by the end of 2025. His departure marks a significant shift, as he steps away from venture capital to focus on founding his own startups. However, in an unexpected twist, his first entrepreneurial endeavor won't be in fintech—it will be in the music industry.
Rotman, who played a pivotal role in shaping QED Investors since its inception in 2007, took to X (formerly Twitter) to reveal his plans. While details remain scarce, he hinted at a revolutionary business idea in the music space. In his own words, the concept has "evolved in [his] head and sat on the shelf for years."
Given his track record of identifying billion-dollar opportunities—such as his early investments in Credit Karma, GreenSky, Flywire, and SoFi—his move into music raises curiosity about what he has envisioned.
The Legacy of a Fintech Powerhouse
Rotman co-founded QED Investors alongside Nigel Morris and Caribou Honig nearly two decades ago. Today, the firm manages $4 billion in assets and has made successful early-stage investments in fintech unicorns like Nubank, Creditas, AvidXchange, and Bitso. Notably, QED was the first institutional investor in Credit Karma, a move that cemented its reputation as a fintech powerhouse.
With QED exclusively focused on financial technology startups from pre-seed to Series A, Rotman’s decision to branch out beyond fintech signals a bold career pivot. While he will officially step down on January 1, 2026, he plans to remain a part-time advisor to QED in the coming years.
From Fintech to Music: Why the Sudden Change?
While fintech has been Rotman’s domain for decades, his passion for music appears to be a long-standing but unexplored interest. He acknowledged that people might see the shift as "crazy," but encouraged them to reserve judgment until they learn more.
This strategic pivot raises several intriguing questions: Will his startup leverage AI and fintech principles to disrupt the music industry? Is it a streaming service, a rights-management platform, or something entirely new? Given his history of transforming industries, his music venture is worth watching closely.
Writing a Book on VC and Startups
Beyond launching a music startup, Rotman also revealed that he intends to write a book on startup ecosystems and venture capital. His deep industry insights, coupled with his natural inclination toward writing, suggest that this book could become a must-read for entrepreneurs and investors alike.
Rotman humorously acknowledged the rise of AI-driven writing tools, stating, "ChatGPT and Claude are better writers than I am," but insisted that writing remains an essential part of his life.
What’s Next for QED Investors?
With Rotman stepping back, QED Investors will see a leadership transition. Partner Amias Gerety has been promoted to lead the U.S. investment team. Meanwhile, co-founder Nigel Morris expressed confidence in Rotman’s ability to excel in his next chapter, highlighting their 30-year working relationship, including their time at Capital One before QED.
Frank Rotman’s departure from QED to pursue music and writing is a testament to his entrepreneurial spirit. While the fintech world will miss his direct involvement, his new ventures promise to be just as transformative. Whether his music startup disrupts the industry or his book reshapes how we view venture capital, one thing is certain—Rotman isn’t done making an impact.
As 2026 approaches, the tech and music industries alike will be keeping a close eye on what comes next from this fintech visionary turned music entrepreneur.
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