Realist Ventures

Realist Ventures, established in 2018 and headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, focuses on early-stage investments with a keen interest in sectors like SaaS, biotechnology, AI, cleantech, and underrepresented founders. The fund’s investment strategy is centered around pre-seed and seed rounds, deploying checks between $100,000 to $500,000. They emphasize realistic valuations and seek capital-efficient startups poised for scalable growth. Realist Ventures often participates in rounds but doesn’t usually lead, preferring to co-invest alongside other firms. Their team brings extensive entrepreneurial experience, with co-founder Marie Rocha playing a key role in shaping the fund's direction. Realist Ventures has backed several notable startups, including Career Karma, a platform revolutionizing career coaching, and GRID, a blockchain-based gaming company. These investments reflect the fund’s interest in cutting-edge technology and social impact. The fund primarily invests in US-based startups, but its portfolio reflects a commitment to diversity, making it an attractive partner for founders from underrepresented groups. Beyond capital, Realist Ventures provides hands-on support through mentorship and access to a vast network of industry connections. They are particularly interested in founders who can clearly articulate their vision and have a robust go-to-market strategy. For startups seeking to approach them, a realistic valuation, strong team, and clear product-market fit are essential. Realist Ventures’ investment philosophy revolves around building long-term partnerships with founders, ensuring they have both the financial and strategic backing to scale effectively.