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Oliver Nicklin

Oliver Nicklin

Founder and Chairman atFirst AnalysisChicago
LinkedIn First Analysis websiteFirm profile

Oliver Nicklin founded and chairs First Analysis. He previously worked at William Blair & Co. and founded the First Analysis Institute of Integrative Studies.

What Oliver can write

Writes checks of$3M to $10M
Comes in atSeries A, Series BCan lead the round
Pitch pageSubmit on their siteThe firm asks founders to apply here.

First Analysis writes $3M to $10M checks, larger than 93% of firms in the atlas.

Bars: how many firms report each check band. Highlighted: First Analysis.

Career

  1. William Blair & Co. · chief operating officer, director of research, and an investment analyst
  2. First Analysis · Founder and Chairman
    Now
  3. William Blair & Co. · investment analyst
  4. William Blair & Co. · director of research
  5. William Blair & Co. · chief operating officer

Companies founded

First AnalysisFirst Analysis Institute of Integrative Studies

Focus

technologyhealthcare

Education

Harvard University, MBAUniversity of Texas, BS in chemical engineering

Also at First Analysis

Andrew Walsh
Andrew WalshManaging Director
Jim Macdonald
Jim MacdonaldManaging Director
Joe Munda
Joe MundaManaging Director
Richard Conklin
Richard ConklinManaging Director
Tracy Marshbanks
Tracy MarshbanksManaging Director
Corey Greendale
Corey GreendaleManaging Director, Office of the President
Howard Smith
Howard SmithManaging Director, Office of the President
Kenny Guerrero
Kenny GuerreroAssociate

Partners like Oliver

At firms with a similar stage, sector and check size.

Steven Mankoff
Steven MankoffPartner, TDF Ventures
Brendon DurkinManaging Director, Koch Disruptive Technologies
Aaron Holiday645 Ventures
Josh LumerSenior Principal, Allstate Strategic Ventures
Blake PattonFounder & Managing Partner, Tech Square Ventures
Akira KurabayashiManaging Partner / Head of Japan, DNX Ventures

Alert me when First Analysis is active

One email when Oliver's firm raises a fund, adds a partner or shows new activity.

Founders and investors at a Mode VC gathering

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Raising a pre-seed or seed round? We write $1M to $5M first checks and help founders with distribution. A partner reads every deck.

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Questions

Who is Oliver Nicklin?

Oliver Nicklin founded and chairs First Analysis. He previously worked at William Blair & Co. and founded the First Analysis Institute of Integrative Studies.

How much does Oliver Nicklin invest?

Oliver Nicklin invests through First Analysis, which writes checks of $3M to $10M at series a, series b.

How do I pitch Oliver Nicklin?

A warm intro from a founder First Analysis backed works best. A short LinkedIn note with one line on traction is the next best route.

What did Oliver Nicklin do before First Analysis?

chief operating officer, director of research, and an investment analyst at William Blair & Co.; investment analyst at William Blair & Co.; director of research at William Blair & Co.; chief operating officer at William Blair & Co..

Last updated 2026-10-15. Is this you? Ask for a correction.