Dunbar Capital

Dunbar Capital is a venture capital firm focused on investing in early-stage, tech-driven startups, primarily within the FinTech, Web3, and related sectors. Founded by Chris Wallace, the firm takes inspiration from "Dunbar’s Theory," which emphasizes the cognitive limit to stable relationships—around 150 connections—and applies this to building sustainable, long-term partnerships in business. Dunbar Capital’s approach is deeply relationship-driven, seeking to back founders that align with their philosophy of intentional, meaningful connections​. Dunbar Capital focuses on pre-seed and seed investments, typically deploying capital in U.S. and EMEA-based startups. The firm's investment portfolio spans various sectors, with a concentration in B2B software, financial services, marketplaces, and infrastructure. Some of its notable investments include the Nigerian banking-as-a-service platform Zuvy and financial software companies OatFi and Caliza​. The firm leverages data and research insights to make conviction-driven, thesis-backed investments, focusing on companies with the potential to disrupt industries. They prioritize fintech innovations like consumer payments, wealthtech, and vertical SaaS, but remain industry-agnostic​. While relatively small, Dunbar Capital is strategically involved in its portfolio companies, helping them grow through a combination of operational support and strong global networks. With a geographic emphasis on the U.S., EMEA, and emerging markets, the firm is carving out a niche in backing early-stage tech companies that aim to transform traditional financial services​.