Conviction

Conviction is a venture capital firm focused on AI-native, or "Software 3.0," companies. Founded by Sarah Guo in 2022, the firm is dedicated to backing early-stage startups that leverage AI to create transformative solutions across industries. Conviction typically invests between $1 million and $10 million, with a preference for technical teams that move quickly and have deep expertise in their fields. The firm has built a strong portfolio with notable companies such as Baseten, Mistral AI, and Cartesia. Conviction is hands-on, offering operational support and access to its broad network of talent, customers, and computing resources. They are deeply embedded in the AI ecosystem and focus on both product and commercial challenges faced by their portfolio companies, helping them scale from early stages to significant industry impact. Conviction’s investment strategy is long-term, believing that AI’s full potential is still vastly underestimated. The firm also prioritizes community-building and sees itself as a central hub for leading AI innovators.