By July 2016, the Aldrich Capital Partners team had spent over two years trying to raise their inaugural growth-equity fund. They had pitched to over 140 investors, but none had committed. Managing Partners Mirza Baig and Raz Zia each had extensive experience in the growth-equity space, but they did not have an investment track record together. Investors seemed hesitant to commit to a "blind pool" of capital with a new team. Now, the partners were contemplating an investment in a company code-named "Hollywood." The deal had several risks and was not a perfect fit with their investment thesis, but the partners wondered if this deal could prove their abilities and strategy to investors. Should Aldrich invest in Hollywood?