Fundraising Fox
San Diego · Pre-Seed–Series A · 5 people tracked
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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 34 of 42 portfolio companiesSaaS ×17AI & Machine Learning ×16Enterprise Software ×8Developer Tools ×6Consumer ×5Fintech ×5Marketing Tech ×5Crypto & Web3 ×4
HQs:United States×20Canada×2United Kingdom×1
Who they back
founder profiles across 16 portfolio companiesFounding team size:solo founder×102 founders×54+ founders×1
Where their founders studiedfrom 16 founders with education data
Northwestern University ×2
What their founders studiedfrom 16 founders with field-of-study data
Engineering ×5Business & Management ×4Computer Science ×4Politics & Policy ×2
Where their founders worked beforefrom 20 founders with career history
Stanford University ×3Dorm Room ×2Google ×2Kraken ×2
Accelerator rootsportfolio companies that came through a program
Investments · 42 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathBy year:2026 · 32025 · 12023 · 62022 · 12021 · 112 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)in
Co-investorsC2 VenturesTechstarsOutlander VC
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 Hom(Founder)inBrendan Wood(Founder)in
Co-investorsGradient VenturesObvious VenturesScribble VenturesBurst CapitalCanvas VenturesCisco Investments+1 more
Aidaly professionalizes family caregiving by connecting and supporting family caregivers to recognize their economic contribution.
Digital HealthFuture of WorkHealthtechHR TechImpact & Social GoodMiami, US
Margaret Norris(Founder and CEO)inMaggie Norris(Founder)
Co-investorsHDS CapitalPrimetime PartnersScribble VenturesSeven Seven SixShrug 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)inBinh Nguyen(Human Resources)Bao Ho(CTO)
Co-investorsBrighter CapitalPicks and Shovels (Picks & Shovels)PioneerRebel FundSamsung NextY Combinator+7 more
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(CEO)inDavid Zeng(Founder)inJesse Zhang(Founder)inGreg Luppescu(Founder)Calix Huang(Software Engineer Intern)inJess Li(Chief of Staff)
Co-investors2am VCAmino CapitalAndreessen HorowitzHyphen CapitalJustin “3LAU” BlauMantis Capital+19 more
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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 PartnersPicks and Shovels (Picks & Shovels)Pure 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
Recruiting firm that sources early engineers and operators for seed to Series B startups, now part of Tribe AI.
Co-investorsAfore CapitalContrarySSC Venture PartnersWorklife Ventures
Para builds developer tools for interacting with blockchains, including wallets, protocols, and products.
Crypto & Web3Developer ToolsFintechSaaS
Co-investorsZero Knowledge Validator (ZKV)Array Ventures Management LlcBloomberg BetaHuman VenturesSwift VenturesTiferes Ventures
Para simplifies blockchain interaction for developers and users through tools and services.
Crypto & Web3Developer ToolsFintech
Co-investorsArray Ventures Management LlcSpice CapitalBloomberg BetaHuman VenturesSwift VenturesTiferes Ventures
Capsule is a video editing tool that lets non-specialist employees, such as subject-matter experts and educators, create on-brand product demos, tutorials, and walkthroughs using pre-approved templates and AI-powered editing features.
AI & Machine LearningMarketing TechMedia & EntertainmentSaaS
Co-investorsArray Ventures Management LlcBloomberg BetaHubSpot VenturesHyperguapSwift VenturesHuman 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)inGreg Thome(Operations)
Co-investorsAccelBetter Tomorrow VenturesCervinRecall CapitalY CombinatorAvid Ventures+12 more
Concierge provides event teams with a centralized SMS channel to send scheduled and ad hoc text messages that keep guests informed and on schedule during events.
Enterprise SoftwareSaaSCalgary, CA
Co-investorsTechstarsBurst CapitalFounders FundGradient VenturesKhosla VenturesObvious Ventures+2 more
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-investorsAvalanche VCHannah Grey Ventures
Crosslink Capital is a venture capital and investment firm managing portfolios across multiple sectors.
Sector AgnosticSan Francisco, US
Co-investorsSmartGateVCUnion Grove Venture PartnersAlumni VenturesCharacterCorrelation VenturesIntact Ventures+2 more
Decaf is a crypto wallet and stablecoin banking platform that enables financial services via blockchain, with a focus on serving underbanked communities, remote workers, and individuals in high-inflation economies who lack traditional banking access.
Crypto & Web3Fintech
Co-investorsFinancial Venture StudioRestive Ventures
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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-investorsDetroit Venture PartnersExpansion Venture CapitalFontinalis PartnersRolling Fun GP
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-investors53 Stations8VCBain Capital VenturesCapital B Private HoldingsEssence Venture CapitalOutsiders+4 more
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)in
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(Founder)inJoe Lonsdale(Founder)in
Co-investors8VCAAF Management Ltd.Ethos VCHuman CapitalMaC Venture CapitalMantis Capital+9 more
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
Susie Harrison(Founder)in
Co-investorsAlumni VenturesIngeborg 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-investorsPAX ANGELS, LLCSignal 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 & FitnessBrooklyn, US
Lydia Miller(Founder)inKyon Hood(Chief Medical Officer)inBrock Daniels(Senior Medical Director)inLauren Edmonds(Chief Nursing Officer)in
Co-investorsBeaconsfield Capital
Lotus makes a wearable ring that controls devices in the home by pointing, using magnetically attachable switch covers and requiring no app, WiFi, or setup.
HardwareHealthtechIoT
Co-investors1843 CapitalCake VenturesSidecut VenturesCRV (Charles River Ventures)Kleiner Perkins
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)inJoey Poh(Chief of Staff)Jack Chapman(Software Engineer)inRosh Singh(Head of Engineering)Julie Imbriale(Head of Operations)
Co-investorsAlumni VenturesAsymmetricBig Brain HoldingsDorm RoomJude GomilaMarin Digital Ventures+15 more
Maintouch automates marketing services, beginning with SEO and AI-driven search optimization to replace manual labor in the trillion-dollar marketing services industry.
AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareMarketing TechSaaSNew York City, US
Bennett Cohen(Founder)inCole Cable(Ops)inYansen Zhou(Vice President Eng)
Co-investorsY Combinator
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
NOX operates AI-powered metal manufacturing facilities that provide cut-to-spec metal products to American manufacturers with quote and delivery times measured in milliseconds rather than days.
Advanced ManufacturingAI & Machine LearningDeep TechRoboticsDetroit, US
Zane Hengsperger(CEO)inJack Bookey(Product Manager)Walker McHugh(MTS)
Co-investors640 OxfordAlumni VenturesAnorak VenturesOperator CollectiveThe CouncilTrail Run Capital+16 more
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)inAndrew Spencer(Founder)
Co-investorsActivant CapitalavraBain Capital VenturesBoxGroupContraryDash VC+8 more
Plura is an event discovery and community platform that helps people attend social events in their city and connect with other attendees before, during, and after events.
B2B MarketplacesConsumerSocialSan Diego, US
Lauren (Luna) Ray Vegter(Founder)inAlex Savtchenko(Chief of Staff)
Co-investorsY CombinatorGaingelsGFR FundPrecursor VenturesSequoia CapitalTuesday Capital
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Creatium offers an AI-powered platform for building interactive corporate and educational training, including coaching, simulations, roleplays, and interactive video, plus APIs for voice, avatars, and video that developers can embed in their own products.
AI & Machine LearningEdTechFuture of WorkSunnyvale, US
Deepak Chandra Sekar(Executive Officer, Director)
Co-investorsHannah Grey VenturesAvalanche VCGeekdom
Somethings connects teenagers with peer mentorship support to address gaps in mental health access in the United States.
Digital HealthHealthtechMental HealthWellness & Fitness
Patrick Gilligan(Founder)in
Co-investorsCatalio Capital Management, LPCoalition OperatorsGeneral CatalystMana VenturesTau VenturesCatalio Capital Management+4 more
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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)in
BoardJacqui Deegan(Director)Larry Cheng(Director)in
Co-investorsCalano VenturesHearstLabHow Women InvestUlu VenturesVolition Capital1984 Ventures Management, Llc
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
Kelsey Daly(Founder)in
Superpanel provides integration software that connects to existing CRM, system-of-record, document, and communication platforms without requiring replacement or disruption to established workflows.
AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareLegalTechSaaSSales Tech
Julien Emery(CEO and Co-Founder)Dingyu Zhang(CTO and Co-Founder)
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 CapitalNew Era Ventures ApSTeam Ignite Ventures+1 more
The Bland Company develops functional proteins—soluble, foaming, gelling, and emulsifying—made from upcycled agricultural byproducts as alternatives to egg-based ingredients for food manufacturers.
AgTechFoodTechNew MaterialsLondon, GB
Yash Khandelwal(CEO)inMicol Hafez(CPO)in
Co-investorsAlumni VenturesEntrepreneur FirstInitialized CapitalTranspose Platform ManagementVento
Other
Tracked investments with no reachable website or further public details — typically companies that wound down, renamed, or were absorbed.
Bloom Creator ToolsBreak Sports SportsHearth DisplayRoots FintechRunswitchboard
Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companiesHostie · finsmes.com · Jul 9, 2026
Nox Metals · noxmetals.co · Jun 14, 2026
The Bland Company · finsmes.com · Feb 16, 2026
Somethings · prnewswire.com · Feb 10, 2026
Hearth · gethearth.com · Nov 20, 2025
Pallet · pymnts.com · May 27, 2025
Frequently asked questions
- How many investments has Behind Genius Ventures made?
- Behind Genius Ventures has 42 tracked investments, 2 of which have exited, including 4 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 Picks and Shovels (Picks & Shovels), Y Combinator, Alumni Ventures, among 102 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
General Catalyst is a venture capital firm operating as a partnership focused on company building and accelerating the growth of the businesses it backs.
A talent and research-driven investment firm that identifies and invests in entrepreneurs and their companies across funding stages from seed through scaling.
Coalition Operators is an early-stage venture firm started by founders and operators that backs pre-seed and seed startups, offering capital plus a vetted network of 100+ startup operators.
Next Play Ventures is a venture capital firm founded by former LinkedIn CEO Jeff Weiner that invests in and coaches entrepreneurial leaders building purpose-driven organizations.
Origin Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm backing founders building companies in the artificial intelligence economy, focusing on infrastructure, software, applications, services, and marketplaces that transform productivity and automation.
IrishAngels is an angel investing network affiliated with the University of Notre Dame, founded in 2012, that invests in early-stage founders and backs them with a 200+ member network of operators, executives, and entrepreneurs.
Motivate Venture Capital (MVC) is an early-stage venture firm that invests in pre-seed and seed companies, co-creates new ventures with founders, and backs emerging VC funds.
Starting Line is a venture capital firm that invests in consumer culture and brands early, with a tagline of investing in 'culture before it's consensus.'
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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