BACKGROUND CAPITAL
Venture capitalActively deployingMadison · Seed–Series A · 1 people tracked
Investment thesis
Solo GP with multi‑fund track record operating from Madison, backed by successful founders to create a founder-to-founder network and described as easy to work with.
Source: firm website, verified Aug 5, 2026.
Team · 1 people
from public directories
What they invest in
from 3 of 3 portfolio companiesE-commerce ×2AI & Machine Learning ×1Consumer ×1Creator Economy ×1FoodTech ×1Impact & Social Good ×1Media & Entertainment ×1SaaS ×1
HQs:United States×2
Investments · 3 tracked
founders shown can be your intro path
Instacart operates a marketplace connecting grocery retailers with customers who order food and household items for same-day delivery or in-store pickup, serving millions of households across North America through partnerships with over 350 retailers.
ConsumerE-commerceFoodTechSan Francisco, US
Apoorva Mehta(Founder/Chairman & Founding CEO)inBrandon Leonardo(Founder)inMax Mullen(Founder)in
AudioShake develops sound separation technology that splits audio into component parts for media, entertainment, and speech workflows.
AI & Machine LearningCreator EconomyMedia & EntertainmentSan Francisco, US
Jessica Powell(CEO & Co-Founder)Luke Miner(CTO & Co-Founder)Alexander Hartz(Director)
PartnerRafael Corrales· solo GP
ShoppingGives provides a social impact platform that enables businesses to integrate charitable giving into their commerce operations, allowing customers to donate at point of purchase or through customizable giving campaigns.
E-commerceImpact & Social GoodSaaS
PartnerRafael Corrales· solo GP
Frequently asked questions
- What stage does BACKGROUND CAPITAL invest at?
- BACKGROUND CAPITAL invests at the Seed, Series A stages.
- What is BACKGROUND CAPITAL's typical check size?
- BACKGROUND CAPITAL typically writes checks of $100K – $250K.
- Where is BACKGROUND CAPITAL located?
- BACKGROUND CAPITAL is headquartered in Madison, US.
- Does BACKGROUND CAPITAL lead rounds?
- BACKGROUND CAPITAL typically participates in rounds rather than leading them.
Images
Co-investors · 20
Andreessen Horowitz's Strategic Partnerships page describes collaborations that connect its portfolio companies with established institutions to help scale and deploy their technology.
FundersClub is an online venture capital firm run by startup founders and VCs based in Silicon Valley, providing portfolio companies with software tools and a global network to support their growth.
SciFi VC is an early-stage generalist venture fund founded by Max and Nellie Levchin that backs founders tackling hard problems requiring curiosity, intellectual depth, and often science.
Shine is an early-stage venture capital firm that backs entrepreneurs building iconic businesses.
General Catalyst is a venture capital and investment firm that backs founders across industries, with a strong focus on AI-driven transformation, fintech, healthcare, and other sectors.
Lightspeed Venture Partners is a global venture capital firm known for backing AI and technology founders, emphasizing deep, hands-on partnerships with the companies it funds.
Benchmark is a venture capital firm with offices in San Francisco and Woodside that invests in early-stage startups.
Forerunner Ventures is a venture capital firm investing in consumer-focused technology companies, spanning marketplaces and services, personal systems, platforms and infrastructure, and consumer brands, with a strong emphasis on AI-driven products.
Accel-KKR is an investor in enterprise software companies that has operated for 25 years, providing resources and expertise to help companies advance.
Amplify Partners is an early-stage venture firm that has invested in technical founders — engineers, researchers, and scientists — building applications, AI models, developer tools, and infrastructure since 2012.
Soma Capital is a venture capital firm that partners early with founders, emphasizing close relationships and running a fellows program for those just getting started.
Accomplice is a venture capital firm that has backed early-stage companies across sectors, having been part of the origin stories of companies like AngelList, DraftKings, Patreon and WHOOP.
▶8 more co-investors
Worklife VenturesBedrockMosaic VenturesFuture Perfect VenturesLifeX VenturesAudaciousBase Case CapitalInreach Ventures
Firms observed investing alongside BACKGROUND CAPITAL, from public investor directories. Shared companies are the overlap with BACKGROUND CAPITAL's recorded portfolio.
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