Education VC Funds

Sodero Gestion is a well-established private equity firm based in Nantes, France, with a rich history that spans over six decades. Founded in 1958, the firm is deeply rooted in the economic fabric of Western France, focusing on providing growth capital to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the region. Sodero Gestion manages several funds, including the recently launched Sodero Equilibre fund, which is dedicated to supporting companies in their ecological transition. This fund, classified under "Article 9" of the EU Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR), aligns with the firm's commitment to fostering sustainable development. The Sodero Equilibre fund has already made impactful investments, such as in Faguo, a company dedicated to sustainable fashion, and Polaris, a producer of omega-3 fatty acids from micro-algae. These investments highlight Sodero Gestion's focus on sectors like energy, environmental sustainability, and regional economic growth. Sodero Gestion’s strategy is characterized by its deep regional ties and its emphasis on long-term value creation through sustainable investments. The firm collaborates closely with local financial institutions like Caisse d'Epargne Bretagne Pays de Loire and Banque des Territoires, which further strengthens its regional focus and impact. With a total capital of €70 million, Sodero Gestion continues to play a crucial role in driving the economic and environmental transformation of Western France, leveraging its extensive experience and strong local network to support the growth of innovative and sustainable businesses​.

Sofimac Partners is a seasoned French venture capital and private equity firm with a focus on supporting high-growth SMEs and innovative startups. Established over 40 years ago, the firm specializes in early-stage investments, particularly in sectors like life sciences, healthtech, deeptech, and industrial engineering. Based in cities like Paris, Lyon, Rennes, and Marseille, Sofimac has an extensive national presence, allowing it to stay close to key innovation hubs across France. Sofimac manages over €750 million in assets, with a portfolio of more than 90 active companies. Their investment strategy focuses on early-stage startups, often providing seed to Series A funding with ticket sizes ranging from €100,000 to €2 million. They are also committed to long-term partnerships, with the ability to follow on in subsequent rounds, supporting startups through their growth journey. Notable companies in their portfolio include Diabeloop, an innovator in diabetes management, and Mob-Energy, which develops robotic electric vehicle charging solutions. The firm also runs the Pertinence Invest 2 fund, which specifically targets disruptive technologies emerging from academic research, particularly in healthcare and engineering. With a hands-on approach, Sofimac works closely with founders, offering not just capital but strategic guidance and access to a broad network of industry experts and institutional partners.

Softline Venture Partners is the corporate venture capital arm of Softline Group, one of the largest IT service and software distribution groups serving Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States. Founded in 2008 and headquartered in Moscow, the fund focuses on seed-to-early-stage software technology investments in Russia and CIS markets, with a particular interest in cloud computing, cybersecurity, big data, IoT, artificial intelligence, edtech, HR-tech, and edge computing. The fund has been led since inception by Elena Volotovskaya, who simultaneously serves as Vice President of Investments at Softline and has overseen more than 100 transactions over 14-plus years. Volotovskaya also chairs the commission selecting software vendors for Russia's national SME digitalization programme and serves as Vice President of Opora Rossii. Typical cheque sizes run $100,000 to $1 million per company, with approximately $20 to $25 million deployed across 36 disclosed investments. Portfolio companies benefit from Softline Group's distribution reach across 30-plus countries and 60,000-plus customers, giving founders a concrete go-to-market channel at entry. Notable portfolio names include electroNeek (RPA, $500,000 seed), Kickidler, JagaJam (analytics), T-One Group (IoT), and HR Rocket, whose seed round in December 2025 is the firm's most recent disclosed investment. The fund has realized two portfolio exits, with Group T-1 exiting in November 2023, and also acquired ScrollTool in March 2025. Softline VP's distinguishing advantage is the parent group's direct market access: portfolio companies can leverage Softline's customer relationships to accelerate commercial traction in a way that independent funds cannot offer, making the CVC an attractive first institutional partner for B2B software founders in Russia and CIS.

SoGal Ventures is a pioneering venture capital firm co-founded by Pocket Sun and Elizabeth Galbut in 2015. It stands out as the first women-led, next-gen venture capital firm, focusing on investing in diverse founding teams in the US and Asia. SoGal Ventures capitalizes on the three significant arbitrage investment opportunities of our time: undervalued founders, undercapitalized geographies, and underserved problems. The firm has a robust portfolio featuring companies that are revolutionizing how people live, work, and stay healthy. Notable investments include Function of Beauty, Everly Health, Lovevery, and Ceremonia. These companies reflect SoGal's commitment to backing startups that drive positive societal impact and innovation. Pocket Sun and Elizabeth Galbut have been recognized for their contributions to the venture capital industry. Pocket has been featured on the cover of Forbes and recognized as one of the youngest persons on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in VC. Elizabeth has been named one of Entrepreneur Magazine’s 100 Most Powerful Women and a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree. Both founders have built a strong global brand and network, advocating for women's potential as founders and funders.

Soma Capital, founded in 2015 by Aneel Ranadive, is a venture capital firm based in San Francisco, California. The firm focuses on early-stage investments in software and technology startups that aim to automate and improve various sectors. Soma Capital's approach is stage- and sector-agnostic, investing globally in regions such as Africa, the Middle East, South America, and Asia. Soma Capital has raised several funds, with its latest, Soma Capital Fund III, closing at $412 million in January 2022. This fund is used to support unicorn and startup software companies around the world. The firm has made significant investments in over 1,097 companies, including notable names like Cruise, Rappi, Ironclad, Human Interest, Razorpay, Rippling, and Lambda School. Soma Capital has seen 19 of its portfolio companies achieve unicorn status and has been involved in more than 140 exits. The firm’s leadership includes Founder and Managing Partner Aneel Ranadive, along with partners like Mir Faiyaz and Nikhita Jaaswal. Soma Capital's mission is to invest in transformative technology solutions that can impact billions of people globally​.

Sony Innovation Fund is the corporate venture capital arm of Sony Group, established in 2016. SIF invests in early-stage startups with a focus on transformational technologies that shape the future of business, entertainment, and society. The fund operates globally, with offices in the U.S., Japan, EU, Israel, and India, managing over $250 million in assets. SIF targets a wide range of sectors including entertainment, fintech, healthcare, IoT, mobility, deep tech, and sensor technologies. They support startups by providing not only capital but also access to Sony’s extensive technical expertise, global network, and R&D capabilities. This strategic support helps startups scale and innovate within their industries. The fund's portfolio includes companies like Arkose Labs, which focuses on AI/ML for trust and safety, and Truepic, which works on digital content authentication. SIF also places significant emphasis on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) issues, integrating these considerations into their investment process to create long-term value. The leadership team features experienced professionals like Gen Tsuchikawa, Chairman of Sony Ventures Corporation, and Austin Noronha, Managing Director in the U.S., who drive the fund’s strategic vision and operations. SIF continues to explore and invest in innovative technologies that align with Sony’s mission of bringing creativity and promising innovations to a connected world.

Sopris Capital, founded in 2002 and based in Aspen, Colorado, is a venture capital firm specializing in growth equity investments. The firm focuses on technology-enabled business services and SaaS companies, particularly those addressing critical pain points in sectors such as healthcare, education, and enterprise software. Sopris Capital leverages its long-term capital structure to provide patient and flexible funding. This approach allows them to support companies through various stages of growth. Their portfolio includes investments in companies like Clinetic, which focuses on accelerating clinical research through EHR data, and Medcase, a healthcare technology system provider. The firm’s leadership team includes founder and CEO Andrew Paul, along with partners like Mark Groner and Abinav Sankar, who bring extensive experience in private equity and venture capital. Sopris Capital aims to be a value-added partner, offering strategic guidance and leveraging their networks to help portfolio companies achieve their growth objectives.

Soulmates Ventures is a venture capital firm and accelerator based in Prague, focused on driving sustainable impact through innovation. Established in 2019, the firm prioritizes investments in sectors that address critical global challenges, such as air, water, energy, mobility, food and agriculture, healthcare, education, and the circular economy. Soulmates Ventures actively supports startups that align with their mission of promoting environmental sustainability and societal progress. The firm’s strategy revolves around investing in early-stage companies with disruptive potential. By providing up to €1 million per company, they aim to triple the success rate of venture investments, focusing on ventures that create tangible global impact. Soulmates Ventures partners closely with founders, offering not only financial backing but also expert guidance in scaling their businesses. Their portfolio includes innovative companies such as Signapse, which uses AI-powered sign language avatars, and eAgronom, an agtech startup transforming sustainable agriculture in Europe. Soulmates Ventures takes a hands-on approach, actively engaging with its portfolio companies to foster growth and ensure long-term success. Their values of decency, trust, and efficiency guide their investment decisions, aiming to build a better future through purpose-driven entrepreneurship. The firm’s commitment to sustainability and a greener future is evident in its support for startups working at the intersection of technology and environmental solutions.

Sound Ventures, co-founded by Ashton Kutcher and Guy Oseary, is a Los Angeles-based venture capital firm specializing in early-stage investments in transformative technologies. The firm recently closed its $240 million AI fund, aiming to back pioneering companies in the artificial intelligence space, such as OpenAI, Anthropic, and StabilityAI. Sound Ventures' investment strategy focuses on identifying and supporting exceptional founders developing technologies with significant societal impact. Their portfolio includes high-profile companies like Airbnb, Uber, Flexport, and GitLab, reflecting their broad investment scope across industries. The firm leverages its deep expertise in both technology and entertainment to provide strategic support and industry connections to its portfolio companies. Led by General Partners Effie Epstein, Ashton Kutcher, and Guy Oseary, Sound Ventures manages over $1 billion in assets. They are known for their proactive approach in guiding startups from ideation through to scaling, emphasizing a strong partnership with founders throughout the process. For startups looking to engage with Sound Ventures, it's beneficial to demonstrate innovative AI applications or technologies that promise significant advancements and societal benefits. Reaching out with well-prepared presentations and leveraging networks can facilitate initial contact.

South Park Commons (SPC), founded in 2016 and based in San Francisco, is a venture capital firm and community focused on supporting talented technologists, builders, and domain experts. SPC invests primarily in pre-seed and seed-stage companies across a range of sectors, including AI, machine learning, fintech, healthcare, and SaaS. Notable investments by SPC include Pilot, a financial services company founded by SPC members Waseem Daher and Jeff Arnold, which became SPC's first unicorn. Another significant investment is Render, a cloud platform for developers founded by Anurag Goel, an SPC member and former Stripe employee. Additionally, SPC has backed Unit21, a fintech security startup, and Orb, a company revolutionizing internet billing processes. SPC's approach combines financial investment with a strong community ethos, offering operational expertise and mentorship to help founders achieve their vision. This community-driven model has produced successful exits like Admin AI and QueryAI.

Sovereign's Capital, founded in 2012 and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, is a private equity and venture capital firm that focuses on investments in companies led by faith-driven teams. The firm invests in a variety of sectors including healthcare, information technology, and consumer products. They operate with a mission to generate outsized returns while making a positive impact. Their investment strategy is divided into five main areas: direct investments in profitable lower middle market companies, early-stage technology companies, publicly-traded companies, domestic real estate, and fund of funds investments. They also offer business consulting services to mature companies preparing for ownership and leadership transitions. Notable investments by Sovereign's Capital include Brindlee Mountain Fire Apparatus, a leading refurbisher and reseller of fire apparatus, and AM Technical Solutions, a specialty contractor providing clean room services for the semiconductor and life sciences industries. Sovereign's Capital has demonstrated flexibility in their investment approach, often structuring extended hold periods to promote long-term value creation and focusing on operational improvements, smart organic growth, and acquisition opportunities.

Spacecadet Ventures is a cutting-edge venture capital firm based in San Francisco, focusing on early-stage investments in groundbreaking industries such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and financial services. They have a diverse portfolio featuring companies like Eyebot, Cascade Biocatalysts, and Prophetic AI, showcasing their commitment to transformative technologies. Geographically, their investments are spread across North America and Europe. Spacecadet Ventures typically engages in seed to Series A rounds, with average check sizes around $3 million, often co-investing with prominent partners like Andreessen Horowitz and Village Global. Their strategy is anchored in leveraging marketing expertise to propel startups to success, aligning with their brand as "The Marketing VC." They are known for their hands-on approach, providing not just capital but also strategic guidance and industry connections. Key team members include Alexa Binns, a seasoned marketer with extensive experience in consumer tech and venture investments, supported by a team of industry veterans. Spacecadet Ventures prefers pitches that demonstrate innovative solutions with clear market potential and scalability. They are approachable and encourage startups to reach out through their website, emphasizing their openness to novel ideas and disruptive technologies. With a proactive investment style, they aim to be a catalyst for the next generation of industry leaders​.

Spark Capital is a prominent venture capital firm with a focus on investing in groundbreaking companies across sectors like consumer internet, media, software, and fintech. Founded in 2005, the firm has backed high-profile startups such as Twitter, Discord, and Cruise, leading early-stage rounds that propelled these companies to massive success. Spark’s portfolio also includes Postmates, which was acquired by Uber, and Harmonix, known for the popular "Rock Band" game franchise. The firm typically invests across all stages, from seed to growth, with a particular focus on companies that aim to disrupt existing markets. Spark's team members, such as co-founder Bijan Sabet, emphasize investing in founders who take big chances and challenge the status quo. The firm is highly selective, backing visionary entrepreneurs with innovative products that have the potential to reshape industries​. Geographically, Spark’s investments span the globe, with a presence in key markets like the U.S. and Europe. Their flexible and founder-first approach has positioned them as trusted partners for startups like Wayfair and Instawork.

SparkLabs Global Ventures is a seed-stage venture capital fund founded in 2013, focusing on early-stage investments in companies worldwide. The firm is headquartered in Palo Alto, California, but its global footprint extends to key markets across Asia, Europe, and the U.S. SparkLabs backs innovative companies in industries such as SaaS, fintech, healthcare, gaming, IoT, education, and cybersecurity. The firm’s investment strategy centers on identifying exceptional entrepreneurs and helping them scale their businesses globally, offering not only financial support but also mentorship and access to a broad network of industry leaders. Some of the notable portfolio companies backed by SparkLabs Global Ventures include MangoPlate, WeRide, and Shift, demonstrating the firm's diverse reach across various sectors and geographies. SparkLabs emphasizes its unique approach to seed-stage investments by focusing on companies with the potential to define new categories and by supporting their growth into global markets. Led by a team of seasoned investors and operators, including co-founders Frank Meehan, Bernard Moon, and Jimmy Kim, SparkLabs Global Ventures combines deep industry expertise with a commitment to nurturing long-term relationships with its portfolio companies. Through their global accelerator programs and seed investments, SparkLabs has built a strong reputation for fostering innovation and helping startups achieve meaningful scale.

SparkLabs Taipei is an accelerator and venture capital fund part of the global SparkLabs Group network, founded to help startups grow and succeed on an international scale. Launched in 2018, SparkLabs Taipei has invested in and accelerated over 60 startups, including notable successes like Just Kitchen and ParseMe. The accelerator runs a rigorous 3-month program twice a year, providing early-stage startups with 1:1 coaching, access to world-class mentors, business opportunities, and a platform to connect with investors through Taiwan's largest Demo Day. The program emphasizes a "Global From Day One" philosophy, preparing startups to scale internationally from the outset. Startups receive support in areas such as investor engagement, pitch crafting, public speaking, and media relations to ensure they are well-prepared for global markets and investor meetings. SparkLabs Taipei also collaborates with corporations to run internal or external accelerator programs, offering innovative solutions for corporate challenges and digital transformation. Their extensive network and strategic partnerships provide startups with the resources needed for product development, management, and market expansion. The accelerator has a high follow-on investment rate, with over 80% of their startups securing subsequent funding.

Sparkmind.vc is the first Nordic venture capital firm focused exclusively on the learning sector. Founded in Helsinki, Finland, the firm invests in early-stage startups that are transforming education across various levels, including early childhood, K-12, higher education, vocational training, and corporate learning. Sparkmind.vc supports companies that improve learning outcomes, expand access to education, enhance process efficiency, or generate actionable insights from educational data. The firm typically invests in Seed to Series B stages, with individual investments reaching up to €5 million. While their primary focus is on Europe, Sparkmind.vc also selectively invests in companies outside the region, particularly those with a strong potential for international scalability. Their portfolio includes companies like Vygo, which focuses on higher education tutoring, and Fretello, an AI-driven music education platform. With a final fund size of €55 million, Sparkmind.vc aims to back around 20-25 companies, often taking a lead role in funding rounds. The firm’s leadership team brings extensive experience in education, venture capital, and strategic business development, making them well-equipped to guide their portfolio companies to success.

Spaze Ventures is a Singapore-headquartered venture capital and incubation firm founded in 2014 that specializes in seed funding and active operational support for the earliest-stage technology founders in Southeast Asia. Over its decade-plus history the firm claims to have incubated, accelerated, and invested in more than 100 startups across edtech, artificial intelligence, B2B SaaS, fintech, foodtech, and e-commerce -- with education representing the dominant sector at 40 of the 100 disclosed investments. Spaze operates two complementary programs alongside its core investing activity. StartupSpaze is a sector-agnostic, 12-month incubator that walks founders from idea to seed stage with access to mentorship, infrastructure, and follow-on capital. EduSpaze, launched in 2019 and supported by Enterprise Singapore, was Singapore's first dedicated edtech accelerator -- a three-month program taking startups from seed toward Series A and offering up to S$500,000 in seed funding per company along with pilot opportunities with schools and corporate partners. EduSpaze has now run nine cohorts. The eighth cohort (March 2024) included YAHO Lab, Edvance, Quippy, School on Cloud, Safe Space, and Salatech; the ninth (August 2024) broadened into financial literacy, mental wellness, and green skills. Named portfolio companies include Binar, Flying Cape, GRIT Search, and most recently Hexcore Labs (educational software), which received an EduSpaze investment in March 2025. Spaze's combined accelerator-plus-investment model gives it a structured pipeline of early-stage companies across Southeast Asia's rapidly growing digital education and technology sectors, providing founders with both institutional validation and the commercial pilot relationships needed to prove traction before seeking Series A capital.

Specialist VC is a prominent venture capital firm based in the Baltics, targeting early-stage startups from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, Ukraine, and Belarus. With over 45 investments, their portfolio includes standout companies like Bolt, Veriff, and Starship. Specialist VC primarily invests in B2B, SaaS, fintech, software-enabled hardware, Web3, and deep tech sectors, with initial ticket sizes ranging from €250k to €3 million. Geographically focused on the Baltics and extending to Finland, Ukraine, and Belarus, Specialist VC employs a dual strategy fund, blending traditional venture capital with secondary transactions, a first in the region. This approach offers liquidity to founders and early investors, fostering ecosystem growth. Founded by Riivo Anton and Gerri Kodres, Specialist VC values a straightforward, supportive relationship with founders. They review numerous startups but select only a few, focusing on those with extraordinary potential. The team is known for its deep regional network and extensive experience, offering robust support and strategic guidance to their portfolio companies. Specialist VC's leadership includes experienced professionals like Riivo Anton, a serial entrepreneur with over fifty investments, and Gerri Kodres, renowned for his work in early-stage tech investments and recognized as "Investor of the Year" in Estonia. Their comprehensive support ranges from strategy and fundraising to connecting startups with a wide array of industry specialists and investors, ensuring their portfolio companies have the resources to scale successfully.

Speedinvest, headquartered in Vienna, is a leading early-stage venture capital firm with more than €1 billion in assets under management. The firm focuses on pre-seed, seed, and early-stage investments across Europe. Speedinvest's portfolio includes notable companies like Bitpanda, Wefox, GoStudent, and TWAICE, reflecting their diverse investment focus spanning sectors such as fintech, deep tech, health tech, climate tech, and SaaS. Speedinvest operates six sector-focused teams: Deep Tech, Fintech, Health & TechBio, Climate Tech & Industrial Tech, Marketplaces & Consumer, and SaaS & Infrastructure. This specialized approach allows them to provide targeted support and resources to startups, helping them scale effectively​​. Since its inception in 2011, Speedinvest has made 497 investments and has seen 15 exits. Their investment strategy emphasizes hands-on support and leveraging their extensive network of industry experts, founders, and operational partners to foster the growth of their portfolio companies. Some recent investments include startups like Sylvera, Liefergrün, and Seqera Labs, all of which are making significant strides in their respective fields.

Spero Ventures, founded in 2018 and based in Burlingame, California, is a venture capital firm that invests in mission-driven technology companies. Their primary focus areas include wellbeing, sustainability, and sectors related to learning, work, and play. The firm is known for leading or co-leading investment rounds ranging from $3 million to $10 million, typically providing initial checks between $2 million and $4 million with reserves for follow-on investments. Notable investments by Spero Ventures include companies such as Tiny Health, Huckleberry, Tortuga AgTech, and Skillshare. They have made 64 investments to date and achieved several successful exits, including companies like Nana, Jopwell, and INDUS.AI. The leadership team consists of experienced investors like Shripriya Mahesh, Andrew Parker, and Sara Eshelman, all of whom have backgrounds in landmark companies such as eBay and Tesla. Spero Ventures emphasizes backing determined founders who are building technology solutions to create a hopeful future. Their investment strategy is conviction-based, focusing on long-term growth and impact.

Spiral Ventures is a venture capital firm headquartered in Singapore, with a focus on investing in early-stage startups across Southeast Asia and India. The firm, which was founded in 2017 after rebranding from IMJ Investment Partners, targets sectors such as fintech, logistics, artificial intelligence, healthcare, and the sharing economy. Their investments prioritize companies that address social needs and drive innovation in rapidly growing markets like Southeast Asia and India. Notable investments include PolicyStreet, a fintech company advancing inclusive insurance in Southeast Asia, SwipeRx, which connects pharmacies across Southeast Asia, and Dagangan, a digital FMCG distribution platform in Indonesia. Spiral Ventures offers more than just capital; they foster collaboration between startups and larger corporations, providing market access and strategic guidance to help scale their portfolio companies​. With a diverse team spanning Singapore, Indonesia, Japan, and India, Spiral Ventures is well-positioned to tap into local markets and support companies in navigating these dynamic ecosystems. Their mission is to invest in startups that can deliver both financial returns and significant social impact, aligning with the exponential growth expected in the region​.

Springbank Collective is a New York-based, women-led venture capital firm that focuses on early-stage investments, particularly in sectors that support women and working families. Founded in 2019, the firm targets pre-seed through Series A rounds, providing both capital and operational support to startups that aim to improve the care economy, future of work, and consumer health. The team is driven by the belief that areas such as caregiving, flexible work, and women’s health are not niche, but critical to the economy. Springbank's mission is to address longstanding gender and social inequities through innovative solutions. Their investments center on healthtech, fintech, IoT, femtech, and other technology-driven sectors that enhance everyday life. Their portfolio includes companies like Wellthy, which revolutionizes family caregiving by connecting users to expert care coordinators. With a focus on creating positive social impact, Springbank leverages a powerful network of industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators to provide their portfolio companies with strategic resources beyond financial support. By targeting the multi-trillion-dollar opportunity in the care economy, Springbank aims to unlock economic productivity and create long-lasting societal benefits.

SpringTide Ventures is an influential early-stage venture capital firm based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, specializing in HealthTech investments. With a strategic focus on digital health, medical devices, life sciences, and tech-enabled care delivery, the firm recently closed its second fund at $65 million, bringing its total assets under management to over $100 million. SpringTide Ventures has a history of backing groundbreaking companies like GreatExpectations.io, a leader in data quality tooling; Pathology Watch, an AI-powered dermatopathology platform; Debut Biotech, a pioneer in cell-free biomanufacturing; and OpenLoop, an end-to-end telemedicine enablement company. These investments highlight SpringTide's commitment to leveraging advanced technologies to enhance patient care and improve health outcomes. Founded by Austin Walters, the firm emphasizes a hands-on approach, working closely with its portfolio companies to navigate growth stages and achieve significant market impact. SpringTide Ventures invests primarily in seed and Series A rounds, focusing on startups that address critical healthcare needs with innovative solutions.

Sprint VC stands out by offering a unique approach to angel investing with its Angel SIP model, blending the advantages of being both an active angel investor and a passive limited partner. Sprint focuses on early-stage companies, especially in the seed and pre-series A stages, and invests across diverse industries like tech, fintech, and consumer goods. The fund operates primarily in India but is open to global investors, with a growing network of over 595 investors across seven countries. Sprint is known for its selective investment process, curating fewer than 2.5% of startups for its portfolio. They prioritize startups with strong product-market fit, large market potential, and early revenue generation. Their investment strategy includes co-investing at least 10% in every deal, ensuring alignment between fund managers and investors. Sprint’s average investment horizon ranges from 4-5 years in early-stage startups, aiming for 10X returns in higher-risk deals. With a 12% hurdle rate, it only charges profit share after surpassing this benchmark, demonstrating a high-performance-driven model. The leadership, including Salil Chakrabarty, brings deep domain expertise, favoring founders who show strong execution and scalability potential. For startups, Sprint values transparent financials and clear market traction, preferring to co-invest alongside well-regarded lead investors. Entrepreneurs can approach them through their platform, which allows interaction with Sprint’s experienced team, known for its rigorous due diligence and strong mentorship network.

SRMG Ventures is a media-focused venture capital fund that backs innovative companies across content creation, ad-tech, immersive entertainment, and digital media tools. Based in Saudi Arabia, they primarily invest in the MENA region but are open to global opportunities. Their portfolio features notable companies like Telfaz11, a leading Saudi media studio, 360Vuz, an immersive video platform, and Anghami, the top music streaming service in the Arab world. SRMG Ventures primarily targets early-stage investments, ranging from seed to Series B, with a flexible approach towards later rounds when aligned with their vision. Their investment strategy revolves around companies showing clear product-market fit and solid early traction. They provide significant follow-on capital, ensuring their portfolio companies have long-term growth potential. The fund offers a collaborative and founder-friendly approach, sometimes leading investment rounds, while other times co-investing with like-minded partners. They emphasize providing both financial support and deep industry expertise, leveraging their 50-year legacy in the media industry. Startups can expect strategic mentorship, connections to key media players, and opportunities for business development through SRMG's vast network. Led by a team with significant media and tech expertise, SRMG Ventures is actively shaping the future of the media landscape, with a focus on emerging trends in immersive tech, generative AI, and content monetization.

Starta VC, based in New York, is an early-stage venture capital fund and accelerator focused on supporting international startups. Founded in 2015, Starta VC has a robust portfolio, investing primarily in technology sectors including enterprise applications, high tech, consumer products, AI, and vertical SaaS. Notable investments from Starta VC include Petal, a fintech company offering credit cards to underserved populations; ClassTag, a parent-teacher communication platform; and FriendlyData, a startup that simplifies data access using natural language processing. These companies highlight Starta VC's commitment to backing innovative solutions with significant market potential.

StartUp Health is a venture capital firm dedicated to investing in and supporting health tech startups worldwide. Founded in 2011, it focuses on achieving 12 Health Moonshots, aiming to transform various aspects of health and wellness globally. With over 395 investments in 27 countries across six continents, StartUp Health is a significant player in the digital health ecosystem. Notable companies in their portfolio include Quit Genius, a digital clinic for treating multiple addictions; Gabbi, which developed a breast cancer risk assessment tool; and De Oro Devices, known for its health diagnostics and medical devices​​. StartUp Health typically invests in pre-seed, seed, and Series A stages, offering a $200,000+ benefit package for equity positions of about 2%. Their investment strategy prioritizes companies with innovative solutions and potential for significant impact in the healthcare sector​​. The firm is led by co-founders Steven Krein and Unity Stoakes, who bring extensive experience and a strong commitment to supporting health-focused entrepreneurs. StartUp Health provides its portfolio companies with extensive resources, mentorship, and a global network to help them succeed​.

Startup Wise Guys is a prominent accelerator and early-stage venture capital firm based in Tallinn, Estonia. Since its founding in 2012, it has invested in over 440 startups, focusing on underserved markets primarily in Europe, Africa, and the CIS countries. The firm is renowned for its mentorship-driven accelerator programs, which span various verticals including SaaS, fintech, cybersecurity, sustainability, and web3​. The firm's accelerator programs, which typically last five months, provide early-stage startups with seed capital, office space, and access to a global network of mentors and investors. The programs are designed to help startups scale quickly and achieve substantial monthly recurring revenue. Startup Wise Guys has a strong track record, boasting 15 successful exits, including notable companies like VitalFields, StepShot, and VOCHI. Additionally, their portfolio companies have collectively raised over €461 million in follow-on funding​. The firm's latest initiatives include raising up to €52.5 million across three new funds: the Cyber Fund I, the Challenger Fund II, and the Opportunity Fund II. These funds aim to support startups in cybersecurity, fintech, and other high-potential sectors.

StartX, established in 2011 by Stanford alum Cameron Teitelman, is a non-profit startup accelerator and founder community affiliated with Stanford University. It operates with a unique zero-equity model, providing extensive support and resources to entrepreneurs without taking any ownership in their companies. This model fosters an open and collaborative environment where founders can freely share challenges and seek mentorship. StartX focuses on a diverse range of sectors, welcoming companies at various stages of development. Their community includes over 1,600 founders and 75 tenured Stanford professors, with notable alumni such as Lime, Lucira Health, and Branch Metrics. Companies in the StartX program are significantly more likely to reach valuations of $100 million or more, with 18 companies achieving unicorn status. The accelerator is also home to StartX Med, which specifically supports medical and biotech startups, leveraging partnerships with Stanford Health Care and access to specialized lab facilities. StartX Med has launched over 200 companies, with a remarkable 91% demonstrating commercial viability. Located in Stanford Research Park, StartX benefits from proximity to Silicon Valley's vibrant ecosystem, including investors on Sand Hill Road and leading legal firms, providing ample networking and growth opportunities for its startups​.

SteelSky Ventures is a female-led venture capital fund that specializes in women's healthcare. Founded by Maria Toler Velissaris, the fund aims to fill a critical gap in the VC market by investing in companies that improve access to care, medical outcomes, and health infrastructure for women. With $72 million in assets under management, SteelSky is the largest VC fund focused exclusively on women’s health. The fund invests across various sectors, including medical devices, digital health, consumer health, and ePharmacy​. SteelSky primarily targets late-seed and Series A rounds, focusing on startups with proven product-market fit, typically generating $1-2 million in revenue. The portfolio is rich in innovation, supporting companies like Zipline, which uses drones to deliver life-saving medical supplies to remote areas, and Raydiant Oximetry, a company developing more accurate fetal distress monitoring​. The fund's approach is to back scalable, impact-driven ventures that address pressing challenges in women's healthcare, particularly those impacting underrepresented communities​. With a strong presence across the U.S., SteelSky benefits from strategic partnerships with major healthcare organizations like Blue Shield of California and the American Hospital Association, as well as financial institutions like Bank of America and JPMorgan​. Entrepreneurs looking to engage with SteelSky should emphasize their product's real-world impact on women’s health, scalability, and innovative approach to addressing healthcare disparities.

Stella Capital, founded in 2022, is a venture capital firm that emerged from a family office focused on commodities brokering, real estate, and distressed asset acquisitions. Headquartered in the U.S., it operates across North America and the Asia-Pacific region. Stella Capital invests in companies at various stages, from pre-seed to Series B, offering check sizes between $100K and $5 million. The firm’s investment focus is on sectors like B2B SaaS, consumer packaged goods (CPG), fintech, and Web3 technologies. Stella Capital looks for companies with strong competitive advantages, investing strategically in businesses that demonstrate clear growth potential from 0 to 1. Its investment strategy combines early-stage funding and secondary market investments, ensuring long-term capital backing for startups. Stella Capital emphasizes creating lasting partnerships with its portfolio companies, offering not just funding but also strategic guidance and operational support to help founders scale their ventures efficiently.

StoneMill Ventures, founded in 2018 by Michael Sutton, focuses on early-stage investments in the cybersecurity sector. Based in Arlington, Virginia, the firm targets disruptive technologies in cybersecurity, aiming to support startups that can benefit from their extensive experience in building pioneering security companies. The firm has invested in notable companies like Orca Security, which offers comprehensive cloud security solutions, and Huntress Labs, a platform providing advanced threat detection and response. Other significant investments include GreyNoise, a tool for identifying internet background noise to streamline threat analysis, and LimaCharlie, which provides security infrastructure as a service. StoneMill Ventures is an active investor in the United States and Israel, emphasizing hands-on mentorship alongside financial backing to help startups grow. Their investment strategy typically involves participating in seed to Series A rounds, with a focus on companies that address critical components of the security ecosystem.

Storm Ventures is a venture capital firm specializing in early-stage investments in B2B software startups. With over 23 years of experience, Storm Ventures has a distinguished portfolio that includes companies such as Marketo, MobileIron, and Talkdesk. The firm focuses on sectors like SaaS, enterprise infrastructure, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence, helping startups navigate from inception to becoming industry leaders. Based in Silicon Valley, Storm Ventures boasts a global investment team with additional presence in South Korea and Germany. The firm's strategy is centered on supporting startups through critical growth phases, providing resources to unlock growth and achieve product-market fit. They prefer startups with happy customers, innovative software, and a strong team. Storm Ventures often leads funding rounds, bringing in-depth expertise and a hands-on approach to their investments. Key team members include Managing Directors Ryan Floyd, Alex Mendez, and Tae Hea Nahm, who bring extensive experience in scaling B2B companies. The firm’s methodology involves working closely with founders, providing not only capital but also strategic guidance and operational support to drive growth and success.

Story Ventures, based in New York City and founded in 2016, focuses on early-stage investments in frontier technology. Their portfolio spans several sectors, including sensory systems, data processing, and machine intelligence. Notable investments include Particle Health, Motorq, and Prism Data, demonstrating their commitment to innovative data automation solutions. The firm emphasizes capturing and leveraging proprietary data to drive impactful decision-making and solve complex problems. Story Ventures supports companies from the very first check, helping them scale and secure further funding from top-tier venture capital firms. Their investment strategy prioritizes founders tackling audacious challenges to create lasting impact. Key team members include Brian Yormak, who specializes in mobility investing, and Teddy McGehee, who manages legal and financial processes. They are joined by Reilly Simmons, focusing on generative AI applications, and Melissa Cook, who oversees operations. Story Ventures launched a Scout Program in 2022 to work with entrepreneurial individuals at the forefront of technology development, offering them investment opportunities and a community of angel investors. This approach has helped build a diverse and dynamic portfolio aimed at shaping the future of data automation and machine intelligence.

Stout Street Capital, based in Denver, Colorado, is a venture capital firm that focuses on investing in early-stage tech startups. Founded in 2017 by Clay Gordon and John Francis, the firm targets pre-seed and seed-stage companies that are seeking to raise $1 million or more. They typically invest in rounds that provide 12-24 months of runway and prefer startups with post-product and post-revenue, usually generating $20-30k or more in monthly revenue. The firm has a diverse portfolio with over 66 companies and has made 86 investments to date. Notable investments include companies like Optera, which focuses on clean technology and sustainability, Schola, an education technology firm, and KredosAI, a fintech software company. Stout Street Capital also played a significant role in investments for 401GO, Curate, and OpenTug. Stout Street Capital emphasizes supporting founders by providing extensive resources and fostering a network to help scale their businesses. They invest primarily in the US and Canada, excluding major tech hubs like San Francisco, New York, and Boston. The firm is known for its commitment to transparency and its efficient due diligence process, typically completed within 2-3 weeks. Their most common check size is around $250K.

Strike Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Louisville, Kentucky, affiliated with the Venture First network. It invests in high-potential software and software-enabled businesses that can scale nationally and globally, aiming to supercharge companies by adding modern technology solutions. Its investments span sectors from high tech and enterprise and business-productivity software to educational software, information services, healthcare and consumer markets. The firm primarily writes Seed checks into US-based startups while also participating in Series A and B rounds, and it looks for technology-enabled businesses with strong, coachable teams and demonstrable traction, typically requiring at least $1M in revenue. Fund I has a target size of about $25M, and Strike together with its affiliates has invested over $125M in venture-stage companies. Through its Venture First affiliation, Strike sees a pipeline of more than 200 companies per year and deals from across the country, including California, Massachusetts and New York, co-investing alongside trusted funds and willing to lead rounds. The team of around five is led by CEO and Founder John Shumate, alongside General Counsel Rob Penta and investor Bill Lomicka. Notable portfolio companies include GoodMaps, where Strike led a $3.5M Seed round with Keyhorse Capital, as well as Untitled and BabySparks. By pairing a regional base with a national deal pipeline and a willingness to lead, Strike Ventures backs scalable, revenue-generating software founders.

STRIVE is an early-stage venture capital firm based in Tokyo, Japan, with an office in Singapore. It was founded in 2011 as GREE Ventures and rebranded to STRIVE in May 2019. Although GREE, the Tokyo-based mobile game company, is one of several limited partners in its funds, STRIVE operates independently, is not a corporate fund, and does not invest in gaming. The firm is led by General Partners Yusuke Amano and Tatsuo Tsutsumi, both recognized on the 2022 GCV Powerlist. STRIVE invests at the Seed and Series A stages across Japan, Southeast Asia, including Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam, and India, with an increasing emphasis on the B2B sector serving both local SMEs and global enterprises; preferred areas include B2B tech, marketplaces, SaaS and broader technology, and it is willing to lead rounds. Reported average round sizes are roughly $1.38M at Seed and $4.79M at Series A, with select later-stage follow-ons. The firm raised STRIVE III in 2019 with a $130M first close, and its track record includes one unicorn and three IPOs across a portfolio that, counting its GREE Ventures history, spans well over 80 companies. Notable holdings include ClassPlus, an Indian edtech soonicorn, and TrustDock, a Japanese digital-identity-verification company, while recent activity includes a first-time investment in Pricing Studio and a follow-on in Catlog. STRIVE pairs pan-Asian reach with a focused B2B technology thesis.

Strong Ventures, based in California, is a seed fund that focuses on Korean, Asian, and global entrepreneurs. Known for investments in startups like Toss, Memebox, and Lunit, it has a significant presence in fintech, consumer tech, and healthcare sectors. The fund targets early-stage companies with scalable ideas, particularly in South Korea and Asia, providing both capital and strategic support. Their investment strategy emphasizes hands-on mentorship, guiding startups from inception to global expansion. They often lead seed rounds and support their portfolio companies with market entry strategies and follow-on funding. Strong Ventures values innovative business models and visionary leadership, preferring direct approaches through their network or website for personalized pitches. Key team members include co-founders John Nahm and Kihong Bae, who have extensive venture capital and entrepreneurial experience. While based in California, they maintain strong ties to Asian markets, enhancing cross-border growth opportunities for their investments. Strong Ventures is dedicated to fostering cross-border ventures, making them an ideal partner for startups aiming for global reach​.

Struck Capital, founded in 2014 and based in Santa Monica, California, is a venture capital firm that specializes in early-stage investments, particularly in Seed and pre-Seed rounds. The firm focuses on technology-driven sectors including B2B, B2C, and cryptocurrency. Struck Capital aims to be a hands-on partner, providing not just capital but also strategic support to help startups scale and succeed. Notable investments in their portfolio include Grab, a leading ride-hailing platform in Southeast Asia; Mythical Games, which leverages blockchain technology for in-game asset tokenization; and Apollo.io, a sales intelligence and engagement platform. The firm has made a total of 119 investments and has had 26 successful exits, including companies like Brainbase and Say. Struck Capital operates with a "founder-first" ethos, meaning they prioritize the needs and success of the entrepreneurs they back. Their approach includes offering end-to-end hiring support, customer introductions, operational guidance, and robust PR and marketing assistance. They also emphasize innovation within venture capital, constantly iterating on their methods to better serve their portfolio companies. The firm is led by Adam Struck, along with key team members like Michael Montero and Sophia Khan, who bring extensive experience in technology and venture capital. Struck Capital also leverages the diverse industry presence of Los Angeles to benefit their portfolio companies while maintaining a global perspective on tech trends and innovations​.

Studio VC is a venture capital firm based in New York City that focuses on partnering with entrepreneurs and leaders to create and scale impactful companies. Known for its hands-on approach, Studio VC works closely with founders to offer strategic guidance, resources, and a robust network to drive growth and success. Their mission is to support businesses across various sectors, leveraging their expertise and connections to foster innovation and market expansion. The firm operates similarly to a venture studio, building companies from the ground up and acting as a co-founder. This model allows them to provide more than just financial support; they also offer services in finance, recruiting, marketing, product design, and more, ensuring that startups have access to the necessary tools and expertise to thrive. Studio VC's investment strategy includes backing early-stage companies and providing follow-on funding to help them scale. They focus on creating a supportive ecosystem where diverse teams can excel, recognizing that diversity leads to better outcomes.

Sturgeon Capital is a London-based venture capital firm that focuses on early-stage investments in emerging markets, particularly in countries like Bangladesh, Central Asia, Egypt, and Pakistan. Founded in 2006, the firm is known for its emphasis on backing fintech, B2B software, and marketplace startups that drive digital transformation in underdeveloped regions. Sturgeon typically invests at the post-revenue Seed to Series A stages, with check sizes ranging from $500k to $2 million. Their strategy includes a strong commitment to hands-on support, leveraging their network of venture partners and deep market expertise to help companies scale efficiently. Recent investments include companies like GoZayaan in the travel tech space, Finja in fintech, and Medznmore, which is transforming the pharmaceutical supply chain in Pakistan. Led by a diverse team with a deep understanding of emerging markets, Sturgeon Capital provides not only capital but also strategic mentorship, helping founders navigate challenges unique to their regions. The firm actively collaborates with other investors to ensure long-term growth for its portfolio companies and has built a reputation for fostering significant impact through technology.

STV (Saudi Technology Ventures) is the largest venture capital fund in the Middle East, managing an $800 million fund focused on the MENA region’s technology ecosystem. The firm has a strong track record of identifying and backing high-growth tech startups, aiming to drive innovation in industries like e-commerce, fintech, logistics, and communications. Notable investments include companies like Careem, which was acquired by Uber, and Unifonic, a cloud communication platform. STV primarily targets early to growth-stage investments, with a clear emphasis on startups that have the potential to become regional leaders or even unicorns. The firm’s strategy aligns with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, which promotes tech-driven economic diversification. STV actively supports its portfolio companies through capital, strategic advice, and leveraging its vast network across the region, including government and private sector connections. Geographically, STV focuses on the MENA region but with a particular emphasis on Saudi Arabia, a booming market for venture-backed startups. Saudi Arabia’s strong GDP and expanding digital infrastructure make it the hub for tech startups in the region. Led by CEO Abdulrahman Tarabzouni, STV's team includes a mix of seasoned entrepreneurs and investment professionals who play a hands-on role in nurturing their portfolio companies. STV looks for startups with strong market traction and a clear path to scale, aiming to create regional tech giants capable of IPO or large-scale exits.

Sukna Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm based in Riyadh, with a strong focus on digital transformation across the MENA region. The firm backs startups from pre-seed to Series B, particularly in sectors like fintech, gaming, education, health tech, and enterprise software. Their geographic focus spans key markets, including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Jordan, Egypt, and Bahrain, aligning with regional growth trends in technology and innovation. Sukna Ventures is dedicated to investing in entrepreneurs who are building the next wave of high-growth ventures, leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as AI, machine learning, blockchain, and AR/VR. The firm supports companies that adapt to evolving market dynamics and regulations, empowering founders to scale their businesses in a rapidly transforming digital economy. With offices in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Abu Dhabi, Sukna Ventures is well-positioned to tap into local and regional opportunities, while maintaining a global perspective. The team, comprised of seasoned investors and entrepreneurs, plays a hands-on role in nurturing portfolio companies, offering strategic advice and access to a broad network. Notable investments include startups like Quantums, an ad-tech solution enhancing e-commerce media, and Earn Alliance, a platform empowering gamers in the web3 space. Sukna Ventures prides itself on creating meaningful impact, helping ventures reshape how we live, work, and play in the digital age.

Sultan Ventures is a boutique early-stage venture capital firm founded in 2009 and based in Honolulu, Hawaii. It was co-founded by managing partners Omar Sultan and Tarik Sultan, with Dr. Aya Sultan as a founding partner; Meli James serves as Head of New Ventures, directed the XLR8UH accelerator, and is President of the Hawaii Venture Capital Association. The firm is largely sector-agnostic but concentrates on pre-seed and seed financing rounds alongside preferred investment partners, typically as a co-investor. Its sector interests span healthcare, biotech, edtech, fintech, entertainment, information technology, aviation, energy, food and beverage, and consumer products. Sultan Ventures looks for visionary founders building sustainable businesses, placing heavy emphasis on education and strong team dynamics, and provides due diligence, deal sourcing, capital-raise and business-planning support through its network of experts and investors. It operates XLR8UH, an award-winning venture accelerator investing in University of Hawaii entrepreneurs and technologies that Forbes named among the top 30 US accelerators, and manages the Upside Fund, which can invest up to $600K in companies using University of Hawaii intellectual property. As of 2016 it had invested in around 23 companies, with notable holdings including RedVox Infrasound, MeetingSift and SimpliFed. The firm has expanded internationally through the acquisition of Acasia Group, targeting opportunities in the Middle East and Africa. By anchoring itself in Hawaii's university and startup ecosystem, Sultan Ventures backs founders and commercializes academic innovation.

Summit Partners is a global investment firm that focuses on growth equity, managing more than $37 billion in capital. Founded in 1984, it has invested in over 550 companies across key sectors such as technology, healthcare, and growth products & services. Summit is known for backing companies with strong growth potential, offering both minority and majority investments, with a typical check size ranging from $10 million to over $500 million. The firm partners with companies that demonstrate leadership in their respective industries, providing not just capital but also strategic resources through its Peak Performance Group. This dedicated team supports portfolio companies in areas like operations, M&A, and capital markets, ensuring they scale efficiently. Summit has a strong global presence, with offices in Boston, Menlo Park, New York, London, and Luxembourg, and focuses heavily on profitable growth as a key driver of long-term value creation. Notable portfolio companies include technology giants like Klaviyo and cybersecurity firm Darktrace. Summit's hands-on, collaborative approach has made it a top choice for companies looking to scale rapidly while maintaining profitability​.

Sunicon Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm founded in 2018 and based in Mumbai, India, structured as an Alternate Investment Fund (AIF). It is the institutional venture arm of the family behind Sun Capital Advisory Services, a boutique investment bank established by Suresh Jain in 2006, and it grew out of an earlier family investment fund. The firm is led by Managing Partner Suresh Jain alongside Founding Partners Saloni Jain, a Harvard Business School alumna and investment-banking partner at Sun Capital, and Darshan Jain, drawing on more than three decades of combined investment experience. Sunicon describes itself as sector-agnostic, investing in disruptive Indian startups across artificial intelligence and machine learning, fintech, consumer and direct-to-consumer brands, healthcare, edtech, agritech, biotech, blockchain, AR/VR and Web3. It writes seed to pre-Series A cheques typically ranging from US $100,000 to $500,000, around $300,000 on average, and provides strategic guidance, mentorship and network access, generally as a co-investor. Reported fund-size figures range from roughly INR 830 million, about $10M, to $20M. As of January 2026 it was an active investor in around 23 companies, with four new investments in the prior twelve months. Notable portfolio companies include footwear D2C brand Neeman's, performance-nutrition company Neulife, edge-AI semiconductor startup Sensesemi, culture-led gaming brand Chittam, mixed-reality glasses maker Anjalens, and edtech firms Saarthi Pedagogy and Vidyakul. Backed by an investment-banking heritage, Sunicon Ventures supports early-stage Indian founders across a broad technology landscape.

SuperCharger Ventures is a global leader in the EdTech space, focusing on startups revolutionizing education and the future of work. With an accelerator program that has propelled over 100 startups across regions like the US, UK, and Singapore, their network spans investors, top industry experts, and institutions. They provide early-stage support with $50K in initial investment and further capital up to $250K, along with a massive perk program valued at $220K. Notable portfolio companies include Analytikus and Ludenso, which have praised SuperCharger for accelerating their market expansion. SuperCharger primarily invests in pre-seed and seed-stage EdTech startups, with a preference for founders showing strong execution and innovative ideas. They are headquartered in London, Malta, and Singapore, but work with companies worldwide through both virtual and in-person programs. The team comprises experts with extensive experience in both investing and startup building, including co-founders Janos Barberis and Tamas Haiman. Their approach emphasizes global growth, often working as strategic partners with higher education institutions to drive innovation.

Supernode Ventures, founded in 2017 by Laurel Touby, is an early-stage venture capital firm based in New York. The firm is sector-agnostic, with a portfolio spanning across fintech, healthtech, B2B, and B2C companies. Supernode primarily invests in pre-seed and seed-stage startups, often providing the first institutional checks for emerging companies. Their typical check sizes range from $500,000 to $1 million. Supernode’s portfolio includes notable companies like Braze (IPO in 2021), BBOT (acquired for $100 million), Electric.ai, and DeepScribe.ai. The firm is known for backing innovative startups in healthcare, e-commerce, and supply chain technologies, among other industries. The firm's investment strategy revolves around identifying founders with resilience and a strong sense of control over their destiny, a key trait Laurel Touby emphasizes. Supernode is also heavily network-driven, leveraging extensive industry connections to help its portfolio companies grow. With over 50 companies backed in its first fund, Supernode Ventures has positioned itself as a key player in the early-stage investment ecosystem, focusing on scalable tech solutions that have the potential to transform their respective industries.

Surface Ventures is a pre-seed and seed-stage venture capital firm based in New York, focusing on investments in B2B software companies. With a $50 million fund, they primarily target startups with pre-money valuations below $15 million, and their median first check size is approximately $900,000. Surface Ventures believes in investing in design-centric companies, emphasizing the importance of brand and user experience to create enduring businesses​. The firm’s portfolio includes notable companies such as Mirror, Aether, Canopy, and Juni, reflecting their commitment to sectors like SaaS, CRM, and analytics. Surface Ventures looks for companies that solve real problems and have strong, competitive management teams. For startups looking to engage with Surface Ventures, it's crucial to demonstrate a clear market need and a passionate, capable team. The firm prefers to lead rounds and offers substantial support beyond capital, leveraging their expertise to help startups navigate early-stage growth challenges.

Susa Ventures is a seed-stage venture capital firm based in San Francisco, named after the Susa family of mountain gorillas in Rwanda. The firm focuses on investments in sectors such as fintech, healthcare, logistics, enterprise software, and infrastructure and development tools. Susa Ventures seeks out businesses with strong compounding moats, like proprietary data, economies of scale, and network effects. Founded by Seth Berman and Chad Byers, Susa Ventures has backed notable companies like Robinhood, Flexport, and Viz.ai. The firm typically invests between $1 million and $3 million in seed rounds and is known for being a supportive and accessible partner to its portfolio companies. Susa Ventures prides itself on creating a deeply connected community of founders, investors, operators, advisors, and service providers. The team at Susa Ventures includes experienced professionals from various backgrounds, all committed to helping entrepreneurs succeed. Their investment process involves a few introductory meetings followed by a full partner meeting and thorough reference checks.