1st Course Capital
Venture capitalRedwood City · Pre-Seed–Series A · 4 people tracked
Investment thesis
1st Course Capital invests in exceptional entrepreneurs building companies that transform the food system. The firm's focus centers on advancing a food system that is healthier for both people and the planet, backing founders driving change across food and agriculture. It also shares thoughts, learnings, and outside perspectives relevant to this mission.
Source: firm website, verified Aug 3, 2026.
Team · 4 people
from the firm's websiteWhat they invest in
from 19 of 25 portfolio companiesFoodTech ×13Consumer ×9Healthtech ×6Circular Economy ×4SaaS ×4Wellness & Fitness ×4Direct to Consumer ×3AgTech ×2
HQs:United States×8Australia×1
Who they back
founder profiles across 14 portfolio companiesFounding team size:solo founder×102 founders×23 founders×2
Investments · 25 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathAgriDigital builds digital and capital infrastructure for grain and fertilizer supply chains, connecting agribusinesses through a technology platform and inventory financing solutions.
AgTechB2B MarketplacesSaaSAustralia, AU
Emma Weston(Co-founder)inBen Reid(Co-founder)Bob McKay(Co-founder)
Co-investorsSquare Peg Capital
Attane Health provides nutritious groceries and educational resources tailored for people with chronic health conditions.
Digital HealthFoodTechHealthtechWellness & Fitness
Emily Brownin
Co-investorsBluestein VenturesKCRise FundMissouri Technology CorporationBeta Boom
Attune Health combines genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics with functional nutrition and lifestyle modification to treat people with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
Digital HealthHealthtechMedical DevicesBeverly Hills, US
R. Swamy Venuturupalli(MD, FACR, Founder)
Bobbie manufactures baby formula and builds workplace support for parents.
ConsumerFoodTechHealthtechWellness & FitnessSan Francisco, US
Laura Modi(Founder)in
BoardSarah Hardy(Director)Sara Adler(Director)
Co-investorsBaukunstGroundForce CapitalIngeborg InvestmentsLakehouse Venture PartnersNextView VenturesPrecursor Ventures+5 more
A company offering personalized supplement recommendations for women through a quiz-based matching system covering fertility, prenatal, postpartum, and hormone balance categories.
FemTechHealthtech
Irene Liu(Founder & CEO)inJennifer Jolorte Doro(Founder)
Co-investorsBread And Butter Ventures, LlcDorm RoomFlare Capital PartnersIngeborg InvestmentsLighthouse Network Ventures LlcMichigan Rise+4 more
Dispatch Goods operates a reverse logistics platform that enables businesses to implement reusable container systems and circularity in their operations.
Circular EconomyClimate TechE-commerceFoodTechLogistics & Supply ChainSan Francisco, US
Lindsey Hoell(Founder & CEO)
Co-investorsBranded Strategic HospitalityBread And Butter Ventures, LlcClear Current CapitalCleo CapitalCongruent VenturesSanta Cruz Venture+3 more
Lumen produces nutrient-dense beverages formulated with bioactive superfoods and marketed as healthy drink options.
ConsumerFoodTechWellness & Fitness
Yasir Hashim(Co-founder & CEO)
Co-investorsSpringdale Ventures
Personalized prenatal supplements and customized support
Farmshelf manufactures at-home hydroponic indoor garden systems that enable consumers to grow fresh leafy greens and herbs without pesticides or plastic packaging.
AgTechFoodTechHardwareIoTSan Francisco, US
ANDREW JAMES SHEARER(Executive Officer, Director)MANAN RAJESH GANDHI(Executive Officer, Director)
Co-investorsSOSV
GlacierGrid provides smart energy management software that monitors and optimizes HVAC and refrigeration systems to reduce energy consumption and costs.
AI & Machine LearningCleantechClimate TechEnergySaaSRichmond, US
Manik Suri(Founder and CEO)Gerald Zingraf(Chief Operating Officer)Liz Piontkowski(VP of Operations)Alex See(VP of Product)
Co-investorsDeciensDoon CapitalFulcrum Global CapitalJetstreamPulse FundZero Infinity Partners+6 more
A reimagined pasta brand featuring well-sourced, better-for-you ingredients
Santa Cruz, US
Co-investorsSpringdale Ventures
Goodles produces snacks and gives away at least 1% of products sold to organizations addressing food insecurity, focusing on supporting children's nutrition and well-being.
ConsumerDirect to ConsumerFoodTechImpact & Social GoodSocial
Jen Zeszut(Founder)in
Co-investorsAlumni VenturesAurumBasecamp FundCosmic Venture PartnersFourward VenturesGingerbread Capital+2 more
Ellement produces personalized prenatal supplements customized monthly to individual nutritional needs from preconception through postpartum.
FemTechHealthtech
Kosterina produces extra virgin olive oil and organic Mediterranean food products sourced from southern Greece, alongside natural skincare leveraging olive oil for hydration and antioxidant benefits.
ConsumerDirect to ConsumerFoodTechWellness & FitnessNew York City, US
Katerina(Founder)KostasKaterina (Katina) Mountanos(Founder)in
Co-investorsAssembled BrandsEvolution VC PartnersKarpReillyLakehouse Venture Partners
Great tasting wellness shots powered by climate-friendly superfoods
Maev produces raw, fresh dog food made with human-grade USDA protein and formulated by PhD veterinary nutritionists.
ConsumerFoodTechHealthtech
Co-investorsContraryDorm RoomGood FriendsSpringdale Ventures
OpenCity offers ShiftCoach, an AI system that records and transcribes drive-thru orders to track crew performance, detect upsell opportunities, and provide real-time coaching.
AI & Machine LearningFoodTechSaaSBoston, US
Yi Chen(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardSteve Fredette(Director)Marcia Hooper(Director)Nicholas Belsito(Director)Kevin King(Director)
Co-investorsNXT Ventures
Better-for-you, Keto-friendly whipped cream and dispensing innovation
PATH makes refillable aluminum water bottles designed to reduce single-use plastic waste.
Circular EconomyConsumer
Co-investorsAltelanBloom8Florida FundersForma CapitalPreston-Werner VenturesRaptor Group+1 more
Plant Provisions makes plant-based deli slices from chickpeas and vegetables, designed as alternatives to traditional cold cuts for sandwiches.
Circular EconomyConsumerDirect to ConsumerFoodTech
Mike
Sparkling energy drink made with natural, functional and sustainably produced ingredients
Up To Good produces a sparkling beverage made from coffee fruit, a byproduct of coffee production, positioning it as a natural energy source with clean ingredients.
Circular EconomyConsumerFoodTech
Lars
Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companiesGoodles · foodnavigator.com · Jul 15, 2026
Bobbie · foodengineeringmag.com · Jun 24, 2026
Dispatch Goods · santacruzworks.org · Jun 23, 2026
GlacierGrid · intersectionhq.substack.com · May 5, 2026
Whipnotic · market.us · Jan 9, 2026
Frequently asked questions
- How many investments has 1st Course Capital made?
- 1st Course Capital has 25 tracked investments.
- What stage does 1st Course Capital invest at?
- 1st Course Capital invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A stages.
- What sectors does 1st Course Capital focus on?
- 1st Course Capital focuses on AgTech, FoodTech, Impact & Social Good.
- Where is 1st Course Capital located?
- 1st Course Capital is headquartered in Redwood City, US.
- Who does 1st Course Capital co-invest with?
- 1st Course Capital most often shares deals with Bread And Butter Ventures, Llc, Dorm Room, Ingeborg Investments, among 47 tracked co-investors.
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