Behind Genius Ventures
Venture capitalActively deployingSan Diego · Pre-Seed–Series A · 5 people tracked
Investment thesis
Behind Genius Ventures emphasizes community and content as its core operating principles, aiming to bring people together across everything it does. Its areas of expertise include vertical applied AI, horizontal applied AI, domain intelligence, compliance, 'clipboard companies,' and underlooked markets.
Source: firm website, verified Jul 29, 2026.
Team · 5 people
from public directories
What they invest in
from 24 of 32 portfolio companiesSaaS ×14AI & Machine Learning ×12Enterprise Software ×5Consumer ×4Developer Tools ×4Marketing Tech ×4Creator Economy ×3Fintech ×3
HQs:United States×14Canada×1
Who they back
founder profiles across 12 portfolio companiesFounding team size:solo founder×82 founders×33 founders×1
Where their founders studiedfrom 10 founders with education data
Northwestern University ×2
Accelerator rootsportfolio companies that came through a program
Investments · 32 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathBy year:2025 · 12023 · 23 dated
eSkuad is a mobile platform for digitizing and automating field operations across supply chains, enabling workers in remote or low-connectivity areas to collect data, generate reports, and automate workflows without internet access.
AI & Machine LearningCleantechData & InfrastructureEnergyEnterprise SoftwareSaaSPortland, US
Max Echeverría(Founder and CEO)
Co-investorsTechstars
Hostie provides a voice AI phone system for restaurants that answers calls, texts, and emails to handle reservations, private dining, takeout orders, and guest questions.
AI & Machine LearningFoodTechSaaSSan Francisco, US
Randall(Founder)Randall Hom(Co-Founder & CEO)Brendan Wood(Co-Founder & CTO)in
Co-investorsGradient VenturesObvious VenturesScribble VenturesBurst Capital
Aidaly runs a software-powered home care agency that trains and pays family members to become long-term care providers, helping them check eligibility and turn caregiving into paid work.
Digital HealthFuture of WorkHealthtechMiami, US
Co-investorsHDS CapitalPrimetime PartnersScribble VenturesShrug Capital
Aviron manufactures interactive fitness equipment including rowing machines, exercise bikes, and treadmills that incorporate game elements and streaming entertainment to motivate workouts.
ConsumerGamingHardwareWellness & FitnessToronto, CA
Andy Hoang(Founder)in
Co-investorsBrighter CapitalRebel FundSamsung NextY CombinatorGlobal Founders Capital
Beacons provides software tools including website hosting, email marketing, and online store capabilities for content creators to manage their businesses in one place.
ConsumerSaaSSocialSan Francisco, US
Neal Jean(Co-founder, CEO)inDavid Zeng(Founder)inJesse Zhang(Founder)in
Co-investors2am VCAmino CapitalAndreessen HorowitzJustin “3LAU” BlauMantis CapitalNew Commerce Ventures+5 more
Biom makes plastic-free cleaning and personal-care wipes—including disinfecting, flushable, all-purpose, body, hand sanitizing, and baby wipes—using 100% plant-based fibers, along with refillable dispensers and shippable refills to reduce plastic waste.
Circular EconomyConsumerDirect to Consumer
Co-investorsCapital A PartnersPure VenturesSuperAngel.Fund
A life management tool helping users collect, complete, and track tasks with community support and personalized insights.
Anastasia S. Tarpeh-Ellis(Founder)in
Co-investorsBackstage Capital
Co-investorsModerne VenturesOpen Venture Capital
Recruiting firm that sources early engineers and operators for seed to Series B startups, now part of Tribe AI.
Co-investorsAfore CapitalContraryWorklife Ventures
Capsule is a video creation platform that turns After Effects files into easy-to-use templates, letting non-creative teams produce on-brand videos without design skills.
Marketing TechMedia & EntertainmentSaaS
Co-investorsArray Ventures Management LlcHubSpot VenturesHyperguapSwift VenturesBloomberg BetaHuman Ventures
Coast helps software companies create interactive product demonstrations and tell their product stories more effectively.
Developer ToolsEnterprise SoftwareMarketing TechSaaSNew York City, US
Spencer Levitt(Founder)inAustin Pager(Founder)in
Co-investorsRecall CapitalY CombinatorBrickyardConservation International Ventures
Creatium is an AI platform for creating interactive video learning content, where users type an idea and generate video lessons with an AI coach, role plays, simulations, and gamified activities.
AI & Machine LearningEdTechSaaSCincinnati, US
Dr. Deepak Sekar(Founder)
Co-investorsHannah Grey Ventures
Decaf provides shareable payment links that let freelancers and businesses collect payments via card, bank transfer, or USDC/crypto, with recipients keeping about 99% of the amount.
Crypto & Web3Fintech
Co-investorsFinancial Venture StudioRestive Ventures
Driv.ly (Auto.dev) provides automotive data APIs for developers and AI agents, including VIN decoding, plate-to-VIN lookup, vehicle specifications, listings, pricing, recalls, and payment calculations.
AI & Machine LearningDeveloper ToolsMobility & Transportation
Co-investorsExpansion Venture CapitalFontinalis Partners
Flux develops a browser-based tool for hardware design collaboration that enables teams to work together efficiently.
AI & Machine LearningDeveloper ToolsHardwareSan Francisco, US
Matthias Wagner(Founder)inLance Cassidy(Founder)in
Co-investors8VCOutsidersPreston-Werner VenturesEssence Venture Capital
FYPM (F*** You Pay Me) operates a database of influencer brand deals that lets creators see what brands pay, benchmark their rates, and flag brands that underpay or delay payments.
Creator EconomyData & InfrastructureMedia & Entertainment
Lindsey Lugrin(Founder / CEO)
Co-investorsTrust Fund
Hearth provides digital payment and financing solutions for home improvement professionals, digitizing a sector that generates over $500 billion in annual revenue.
Construction TechEnterprise SoftwareFintechSaaS
Anthony Ghosn(Co-Founder / Exec. Chairman)inJoe Lonsdale(Co-Founder / Chairman)in
Co-investors8VCAAF Management Ltd.Ethos VCHuman CapitalMaC Venture CapitalMantis Capital+4 more
Dover, US
Lianne Mei Lin Ng(Executive Officer, Director)Marie-Natalie Mansueti(Executive Officer, Director)
Co-investorsFemale FoundersVisible HandsIngeborg InvestmentsLAGO Innovation FundStellation Capital
Hearth is a technology company that makes a wall-mounted touchscreen display and organizational software to help families track daily, weekly, and long-term tasks and goals as a shared household responsibility.
AI & Machine LearningConsumerHardwareIoT
Co-investorsIngeborg InvestmentsFemale Founders
Intros AI provides software that automatically makes personalized introductions between members of online communities, helping community builders keep members engaged.
AI & Machine LearningFuture of WorkSaaSSocialDanvers, US
David Kobrosky(Executive Officer, Director)inRobert Levy(Director)
Co-investorsPearl Limited PartnershipSignal Peak Ventures
ivee operates a mobile platform that connects patients with on-demand, in-home health and wellness services, including IV infusion therapy delivered by registered nurses and providers.
Digital HealthHealthtechMarketplacesWellness & Fitness
Kyon Hood(Chief Medical Officer)Brock Daniels(Senior Medical Director)Lauren Edmonds(Chief Nursing Officer)
Co-investors1843 CapitalCake Ventures
Magna is an all-in-one platform for crypto companies to launch, manage, and scale tokens, offering token operations, treasury management, stablecoin management, and distribution across a global web3 ecosystem.
Crypto & Web3Developer ToolsEnterprise SoftwareFintechSaaSNew York City, US
Bruno Faviero(Founder)inArun Kirubarajan(Founder)in
Co-investorsBig Brain HoldingsDorm RoomMarin Digital VenturesOlive Tree CapitalY CombinatorAsymmetric+2 more
Nectir AI provides AI-powered tutoring assistants for schools and higher education institutions, built from course content and integrated into learning management systems with FERPA compliance.
AI & Machine LearningEdTech
Kavitta Ghai(Founder)in
Co-investorsEntrada VenturesLong Journey VenturesRethink ImpactTappan Hill Ventures
Pallet builds software to automate freight operations and supply chain management, replacing legacy systems and spreadsheets for logistics teams.
AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareLogistics & Supply ChainSaaSSan Francisco, US
Sushanth Raman(Founder)in
Co-investorsActivant CapitalDash VCOpenView Venture PartnersChapter One
Co-investorsPointer.Capital
Co-investorsPicks and Shovels (Picks & Shovels)
Status (formerly Statusphere) operates a platform that automates influencer marketing campaign management for brands while connecting creators with brand partnership opportunities.
AI & Machine LearningCreator EconomyMarketing TechSaaSWinter Park, US
Kristen Wiley(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardJacqui Deegan(Director)Larry Cheng(Director)in
Co-investorsCalano VenturesHow Women InvestUlu VenturesVolition Capital1984 Ventures Management, LlcHearstLab
Super.fans provides AI tools that analyze creators' public comments and audience discussions to surface trends, content opportunities, and sponsor fit.
AI & Machine LearningCreator EconomySaaS
Superpanel provides AI agents that handle inbound customer journeys for inside sales teams, including lead qualification, follow-up, document collection, and scheduling across voice, SMS, and email.
AI & Machine LearningSaaSSales Tech
Co-investors8-Bit CapitalField VenturesZendaLOI Venture
Textla is an SMS messaging platform that lets businesses send bulk text campaigns with audience segmentation, scheduling, and message personalization.
Marketing TechMedia & EntertainmentSaaSSales TechSan Francisco, US
Luke Brickman(Founder)
Co-investors500 GlobalGoAhead VenturesGraphene VenturesHOF CapitalTeam Ignite VenturesBrickyard
Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companiesCoast · edhat.com · Jul 17, 2026
Hostie · fundraiseinsider.com · Jul 13, 2026
Hearth · aeromorning.com · Jun 16, 2026
Statusphere · forbes.com · Feb 24, 2026
Frequently asked questions
- How many investments has Behind Genius Ventures made?
- Behind Genius Ventures has 29 tracked investments, 1 of which have exited via acquisition or IPO, including 1 dated in the last 24 months.
- What stage does Behind Genius Ventures invest at?
- Behind Genius Ventures invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A stages.
- What is Behind Genius Ventures's typical check size?
- Behind Genius Ventures typically writes checks of $250K – $500K.
- What sectors does Behind Genius Ventures focus on?
- Behind Genius Ventures focuses on AI & Machine Learning, EdTech, Enterprise Software, Fintech, Media & Entertainment, SaaS.
- Where is Behind Genius Ventures located?
- Behind Genius Ventures is headquartered in San Diego, US.
- Does Behind Genius Ventures lead rounds?
- Behind Genius Ventures typically participates in rounds rather than leading them.
- Who does Behind Genius Ventures co-invest with?
- Behind Genius Ventures most often shares deals with Y Combinator, 8VC, Andreessen Horowitz, among 69 tracked co-investors.
From the blog
visit blog ↗Behind Genius has written about portfolio investments in applied AI companies addressing manufacturing and service sectors, analysis of the metals servicing industry modernization opportunity, and quantitative trends in billion-dollar technology exits and IPO readiness metrics. AI summary
Media · Podcasts & interviews
featuring the teamFireside Chat with Paige Finn Doherty, Behind Genius Ventures
Graham & Walker · Paige Finn Doherty
Paige Finn Doherty - Founding Partner of Behind Genius Ventures
Iconic Conversations · Paige Finn Doherty
Tips For BREAKING INTO THE VC INDUSTRY - Paige Finn Doherty of Behind Genius Ventures
Foundersuite: Fundraising For Startups · Paige Finn Doherty
#35 - Josh Schlisserman (Founding Partner @ Behind Genius Ventures)
ConfluenceVC · Josh Schlisserman
Paige Finn Doherty - Behind Genius Ventures
The Inquisitive VC · Paige Finn Doherty
Co-investors · 8
A talent and research-driven investment firm that identifies and invests in entrepreneurs and their companies across funding stages from seed through scaling.
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Firms observed investing alongside Behind Genius Ventures, from public investor directories. Shared companies are the overlap with Behind Genius Ventures's recorded portfolio.
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