“The cup is already broken.” - Ajahn Chah
Holt grew up in Sacramento, where much of his childhood unfolded outdoors. When he was not playing sports, he was biking with friends along the American River, hunting with his dad, or heading into the mountains to hike and camp. Those early experiences fostered a lasting love of physical challenge, the outdoors, and the kind of shared effort that brings people together.
He found that sense of connection most powerfully through rugby. As co-captain of his high school team, Holt helped push the group to a national championship, an experience that sharpened his competitive drive and showed him what is possible when a team is completely in sync. He went on to play rugby at Saint Mary’s College of California, where he won two more national championships while earning a degree in accounting—though his parents might argue that rugby was his real major.
Saint Mary’s also gave him opportunities to explore interests well beyond finance. During the college’s January Term, he took a course on classical Rome and its neighboring cultures that combined traditional classroom study with historical reenactments. The experience included sword fighting, javelin throwing, Roman battle formations, and seven stitches from his time fighting Celts in the Roman Legions.
After graduating, Holt began his career in audit at Deloitte, where he developed an analytical mindset and learned how to manage large, complex team projects. He later joined Vista Equity Partners, immersing himself in investment management finance and fund strategy. His move to Sequoia Capital deepened that focus and introduced him more directly to the world of venture capital. Across both firms, he learned from exceptional teams and built the foundation for his career in investment management.
Holt was drawn to Founders Circle Capital by the opportunity to help build within a smaller, growing firm. After working at larger, more established institutions, he was energized by the chance to contribute closer to the ground floor and help move the business steadily “up and to the right.” He finds the greatest fulfillment in work that combines creativity with analytical rigor, especially when he can improve processes and provide insights that help shape strategic decisions.
Outside of work, Holt remains an avid history enthusiast and consumes history in nearly every form, from books and documentaries to podcasts and films. He still follows rugby closely, particularly Saint Mary’s and international competition, and stays active through running, weightlifting, hiking, and camping in the Sierra Nevadas.
