John Buccheri Promoted to XRC Ventures Principal, Brand Capital Fund


New York, NY – May 24, 2023 – Today XRC Ventures, a venture capital firm and startup accelerator focused on retail technology, consumer goods, and consumer healthtech, announces John Buccheri, former XRC Ventures Brand Capital Fund Director, has been promoted to Principal. Launched in 2022, the XRC Ventures Brand Capital Fund is the firm’s newest fund and invests in Seed to Series A consumer product companies in beauty, personal care, home goods, and health and wellness categories. 

With nearly a decade of management consulting experience and almost three years with XRC, Buccheri specializes in developing data-driven growth strategies for retailers, grocers, and brands. Prior to joining XRC, he spent nine years with Kurt Salmon, part of Accenture Strategy, working across private equity and retail growth. Buccheri has contributed to 30+ private equity due diligence acquisition efforts, representing over $3 billion in invested capital. He has an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management and a BA in Business Economics from UCLA. He currently resides in San Francisco. 

In his new role, Buccheri will be responsible for Brand Capital Fund sourcing, dealflow, negotiation, and portfolio management under XRC Ventures Partner, Diana Melencio. Bucheeri will also serve on each startup board.

“John has been instrumental to the growth of our Brand Capital Fund portfolio, our deal pipeline and process, and in supporting our founders,” says Diana Melencio. “I’m grateful for his contributions and look forward to working together to grow the fund and this platform further.”

Buccheri was instrumental in the XRC Ventures Brand Capital Fund’s first investments:

  • Homefield: Founded by Connor and Christa Hitchcock, Homefield creates unique, premium collegiate apparel. 

  • Naked Sundays: Founded by Samantha Brett, former television journalist, best-selling author, and beauty writer, Naked Sundays is a suncare line with proprietary SPF50 skincare products for face and body that are fun, simple, and easy to use - and re-apply.

  • Solawave: Co-founded by Andrew Silberstein and Eli Bailey, Solawave offers redlight therapy and microcurrent at-home beauty. The company combines four proven technologies to fight against breakouts, boost the effects of serums and moisturizers, fade blemishes, and smooth fine lines.


“In this new role, I’m excited to continue to work hand-in-hand with both exceptional founders and strategic leaders who are creating the future of consumer goods. Helping founders accelerate their vision is incredibly validating, and I’m grateful to play a role in their journey,” says John Buccheri. 

To learn more about the XRC Ventures Brand Capital Fund, Opportunity Fund and Accelerator Fund, join XRC Ventures’ annual Demo Day, taking place Tuesday, June 13, 2023, from 3 - 6 p.m. at the Parsons School of Design in New York City. This is XRC Ventures’ highlight event of the year where its newest portfolio startups, the XRC team, and industry insiders gather for startup pitches, dynamic panel discussions, and a networking session. Accelerator Program Cohorts 14 & 15 will present, and discussion categories include: consumer healthtech, generative AI & martech, and consumer brands & nextgen commerce.

About XRC Ventures

XRC Ventures is a New York City-based venture capital firm and startup accelerator focused on pre-Seed to Series A startups in the retail technology, consumer goods, and consumer healthtech sectors. Launched in 2015, XRC Ventures has invested in more than 130 startups. Notably, it was an early investor in: razor and personal care DTC brand Billie, tech-enabled resale service Recurate, and telemedicine solution MD Integrations. Follow XRC Ventures on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram at @XRCVentures, and learn more about the firm and its portfolio companies at xrcventures.com.


Media Contact:

Amanda Bell

Director of Public Relations, XRC Ventures 

amanda@xrcventures.com 

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Amanda Bell