Startup
Startup: AI-native from day one
Early-stage capital and hands-on operating help for founders building AI-native products from the first line of code.
Who it is for
Who Startup is for
This stage is for founders at the very beginning. A small team, a sharp idea, and a product that cannot exist without AI at its core.
Some of you will have a prototype. Some will have a thesis and a co-founder. Both are welcome.
What matters is that you are building for a real customer and can tell us what you have learned so far. We read what you send, and we answer plainly.
What we look for
What we look for
Technical depth
You understand the models and the data you build on, and you can explain the tradeoffs plainly.
Customer pull
Real buyers want the problem solved. We care more about their urgency than your slide count.
A data advantage
The product gets better with use, and the data it learns from is hard for others to reach.
Sound unit economics
Inference cost, pricing and margin make sense at scale, or have a credible path there.
Fast learning
The team tests, reads the result and changes course without ceremony.
A clear point of view
You know what you believe that others do not, and why now.
How we work
How we work with the company
Capital is one part of the work. We aim to be useful where early teams are thinnest.
- Hiring. Finding and closing the first engineers, researchers and operators.
- Go-to-market. Choosing the first customers, the price and the sales motion.
- Data and infrastructure. Setting up pipelines, evaluation and cost controls early, while they are cheap to get right.
- Later capital. Preparing the company for growth funding, whether it comes from us or elsewhere.
You stay in charge of the company. We work alongside you and earn our place by being useful.
Read more: hiring the first AI team and unit economics of AI products. Further along? See Growth.
What we do not do
What we do not do
Process
How it works
Intro note
Tell us who you are, what you are building and why AI is the foundation. A few paragraphs is enough.
First conversation
A direct talk with an operator on our side. We ask questions, and you should ask ours back.
Working session
We work through one real problem together, such as your pricing, your first hires or your data plan.
Decision with feedback
We tell you yes or no, with feedback either way. We aim to reply within two business days at every step.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Do you invest before there is a product?
It depends on the team and the evidence. Tell us what exists today and what you have learned from customers, and we will say plainly whether it fits.
Do I need a technical co-founder?
Not always. We do need to see real technical depth in the company, whether it sits in you or in someone you work with.
What happens if you decline?
You get feedback, and you are welcome to come back when things change. We never share your materials.
Contact
Building, running or selling an AI-native business?
Tell us a little about it. We aim to reply within two business days.