• Home
  • News
  • Fortune 500
  • Tech
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
TechTerm Sheet

First Round Capital’s 10-Year Holiday Video Is Not What You’d Expect

By
Polina Marinova
Polina Marinova
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Polina Marinova
Polina Marinova
Down Arrow Button Icon
December 21, 2017, 10:00 AM ET
First Round Capital Youtube Video

This article originally ran in Term Sheet, Fortune’s newsletter about deals and dealmakers. Sign up here.

After weeks of receiving holiday e-cards addressed to {{MediaContactFirstName}}, I received the one the entire tech community awaits each year (no? just me?). First Round Capital, a San Francisco-based seed-stage venture firm, released its annual holiday video. Each year, the music video is lighthearted and entertaining, featuring First Round’s partners and portfolio company founders lip-syncing and referencing a handful of the year’s tech headlines. The lyrics have previously been modified to chart-toppers including Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off,” Hamilton’s “You’ll Be Back,” Drake’s “Hotline Bling,” and Psy’s “Gangnam Style.”

Over the years, the videos have grown more elaborate and more ridiculous as the annual tradition has turned into an obviously time-consuming and capital-intensive production. Just look at the difference between First Round’s 2008 and 2016 music videos.

This year is different.

There’s no lip-syncing, no coordinated dancing, and no parodies. For the holiday video’s 10th anniversary, First Round decided to go back to its roots and produce something much less flashy. In a nod to its first video, it shows a compilation of portfolio company members dancing in a low-maintenance setting.

“Rather than spend money on expensive production value, we will be donating our holiday video budget to nonprofits working to improve diversity and inclusion in the tech ecosystem,” the video notes, alluding to a year of sexual harassment allegations that have rocked the tech community.

First Round told Fortune it donated more than $25,000. This is an action that speaks louder than any lip-synced lyric could.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvkJ1PUBP9I]

Watch the full video above.

About the Author
By Polina Marinova
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Success
  • Tech
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Environment
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Health
  • Retail
  • Lifestyle
  • Politics
  • Newsletters
  • Magazine
  • Features
  • Commentary
  • Mpw
  • CEO Initiative
  • Conferences
  • Personal Finance
  • 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
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map

© 2025 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.