Brainstorm Ventures
Venture capitalActively deployingSan Francisco · Pre-Seed–Series A · 3 people tracked
Find your way into Brainstorm Ventures
1,329 people in our graph share verified history with the Brainstorm Ventures team — schools, employers, funds. One of them is your warm intro.
Investment thesis
Brainstorm Ventures is a small, generalist early-stage venture firm founded in 1999 by former exited founders. Operating from Silicon Valley and Mexico City, the firm backs category-defining startups at the earliest stages across North America. It emphasizes deep empathy for entrepreneurs and a hands-on partnership approach, drawing on operating experience as founders themselves. The firm points to a track record of top-decile returns delivered across multiple market cycles and early involvement with companies such as Zappos, OpenTable, KIO Networks, and Turing.
Source: firm website, verified Aug 3, 2026.
Team · 3 people
from the firm's website & public directories
What they invest in
from 50 of 71 portfolio companiesAI & Machine Learning ×25SaaS ×18Consumer ×9Enterprise Software ×8Fintech ×7Deep Tech ×6Digital Health ×5Marketing Tech ×5
HQs:United States×22Mexico×3Argentina×1Canada×1Spain×1European Union×1
Who they back
founder profiles across 32 portfolio companiesFounding team size:solo founder×192 founders×113 founders×14+ founders×1
Where their founders studiedfrom 34 founders with education data
Stanford University ×5Tecnológico de Monterrey ×4Harvard University ×3Massachusetts Institute of Technology ×3Cornell ×2Harvard Business School ×2IPADE Business School ×2San Diego State University ×2
What their founders studiedfrom 30 founders with field-of-study data
Engineering ×11Computer Science ×9Business & Management ×4Economics ×3Life Sciences ×3
Where their founders worked beforefrom 35 founders with career history
Foundation Capital ×2McKinsey & Company ×2National Innovation Foundation ×2Revcontent ×2Stanford University ×2Turing Enterprises ×2
Accelerator rootsportfolio companies that came through a program
6 founders hold a PhD · 5 hold an MBA (of 33 with degree data)
Investments · 71 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathBy year:2025 · 12024 · 32023 · 22017 · 12016 · 12000 · 19 dated
Pacific Catch is a California-based seafood restaurant serving fresh, sustainably sourced dishes inspired by Pacific cuisine, and offers a customer rewards program with points and offers.
ConsumerSan Francisco, US
AARON NOVESHEN(Director)Keith Cox(Executive Officer, Director)inJEAN-PIERRE LACHANCE(Executive Officer)STEVE STODDARD(Executive Officer)inTOM HANSON(Executive Officer)inW.L. (SCOOTER) SIMMONS, JR.(Director)
Board seatEduardo Rallo· per SEC Form D · $27.7M raise · filed Jul 2016
Co-investorsBrentwood AssociatesPacific Community Ventures
AIO is a restaurant marketing platform that combines website building, guest CRM, automated campaigns, online reputation management, loyalty programs, gift cards, and on-premise digital screens in one system.
AI & Machine LearningFoodTechHR TechMarketing TechRetail TechSaaS
Co-investorsEvolution VC PartnersRebellion VenturesSanta Cruz Venture
Anvil provides a composable platform for building physical AI systems.
AI & Machine LearningDeep TechRobotics
Co-investorsHumba VenturesSparkLabs TaipeiCiti VenturesFinancial Venture StudioGradient VenturesMatter Venture Partners+1 more
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Aravo provides a centralized software platform for third-party risk management (TPRM) that integrates AI and machine learning to automate vendor assessments, compliance monitoring, and risk scoring across supply chains and extended enterprise relationships.
AI & Machine LearningData & InfrastructureEnterprise SoftwareSaaS
Bleeding Edge builds and operates high-density AI data center and GPU compute infrastructure, serving neoclouds, hyperscalers, and AI labs that need to deploy capacity.
AI & Machine LearningCloud ComputingData & InfrastructureDeep Tech
Sergio Rosengaus(Co-founder & Executive Chairman)in
BrainGrid is an AI app builder that writes a specification with acceptance criteria and a data model before generating code, then builds, verifies, and hosts the resulting app.
Tyler Wells(Founder)in
Cafler provides an AI platform that automates aftermarket operations for automotive workshops, handling processes from customer reception through vehicle delivery.
AI & Machine Learning
Co-investorsBStartupEoniq.fundWIND VenturesBBVA SPARKSeayaShilling VC+1 more
Cerego is a learning platform that uses adaptive, memory-science-based methods to build and deliver courses, track learner progress, and improve knowledge retention.
AI & Machine LearningEdTechSaaSSan Francisco, US
Andrew Smith Lewis(Executive Officer, Director)Kenneth Young(Director)Paul Mumma(Executive Officer, Director)Emmanuel Kampouris(Director)Joseph Keating(Director)Eric Young(Director)
Class Companion is an AI-powered teaching platform that generates assignments, gives students instant feedback and scores, and provides an AI tutor for real-time, differentiated coaching.
AI & Machine LearningEdTechSaaS
Avery Pan(Founder)in
Co-investorsIndex VenturesOpenAI Startup Fund
Commonwealth Fusion Systems develops commercial fusion power plants using high-temperature superconducting magnet technology to provide grid-scale energy.
CleantechClimate TechDeep TechEnergyCambridge, US
Brandon Sorbom(Founder)inRobert Mumgaard(Executive Officer, Director)inDaniel Brunner(Executive Officer)inBob Mumgaard(Founder)in
BoardMassimiliano Pieri(Director)Katie Rae(Director)in
Co-investorsAdvection Growth CapitalArmada Investment AGBay Bridge Ventures ClimateBeni Venture CapitalBreakthrough Energy VenturesCoatue Management+39 more
ControlHub is a procurement software platform that automates purchase-to-pay (P2P) workflows for businesses, including requisition management, purchase order generation, approval workflows, and supplier management.
Enterprise SoftwareFintechSaaS
Rodrigo Santibanez(Founder)inLeonardo de la Cerda(Founder)in
Co-investorsCommerce VenturesMerus CapitalOpen Opportunity FundUlu VenturesY Combinator
Delightree is an operating platform for multi-location franchise businesses, consolidating location launches, team training, daily task management, audits, communications, and SOP-based answers into one system used by both HQ and frontline staff.
AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareSaaSDenver, US
Madhulika Mukherjee(Executive Officer, Director)inTushar Mishra(Executive Officer, Director)inKhushboo Jain(Executive Officer)
BoardXiaolei Cong(Director)Anupam Rastogi(Director)in
Co-investorsAccelAxilor VenturesEMERGENT VENTURES
Eclipsebio provides RNA biology analytical services and sequencing-based assays that help drug developers and researchers characterize RNA at nucleotide-level resolution and generate datasets for AI-driven drug discovery.
AI & Machine LearningBiotechDeep TechSan Diego, US
Eugene Yeo(Director)Peter Chu(Executive Officer, Director)inEric L Van Nostrand(Director)Hallie Kuhn(Director)
BoardEdmond Wong(Director)inDaniel Vasella(Director)
Co-investorsiGlobe PartnersMagnetic VenturesPhoenix Venture Partners
Eden creates digital products to deliver healthcare services and health solutions to a broad audience.
AI & Machine LearningCloud ComputingDigital HealthHealthtechMedical DevicesMexico, MX
Julián Cantú(Founder/Co-Fundador, CEO)inRaymundo Gonzalez(Co-Founder / CTO)in
Co-investorsAtacama VenturesCathexis VenturesDalus CapitalHummingbird VenturesSierra VenturesY Combinator
Finvero offers an AI-based credit platform that integrates over 80 alternative and traditional data sources to provide credit scoring, income verification, fraud detection, and collections scoring for lenders and financial entities.
AI & Machine LearningFintechSaaS
Erika Quezada(Founder)inYuri M.(Founder)in
Co-investorsNuMundo Ventures
Focal develops heating technology focused on balancing communicative design, energy efficiency, operational simplicity, and integration to improve comfort.
CleantechEnergyHardwareSan Francisco, US
Rohan Pandya(Founder)in
Co-investorsCool Climate CollectiveMomentum CapitalDangerous VenturesWischoff Ventures
Glaut is an AI-powered market research platform that runs AI-moderated voice interviews and performs automatic thematic coding, entity recognition, and interpretative analysis of open-ended responses, delivering dashboards, CSV/SPSS exports, and executive reports.
AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareMarketing TechSaaSEurope, EU
Niccolo Valerio(Founder)in
Co-investorsItalian Founders FundAlecla7Club degli Investitori
Haplotype Labs develops population genetics software and polygenic risk scores with improved security, accessibility, and sophistication to enhance human healthspan.
AI & Machine LearningBiotechHealthtechMedical DevicesSaaSSan Francisco, US
Mike Polcari(Founder)in
Co-investorsY CombinatorSoma Capital
Hicap provides a unified API platform that routes AI requests to 100+ language models across multiple providers, with built-in observability, cost optimization, and access controls.
AI & Machine LearningCloud ComputingDeveloper ToolsSan Francisco, US
Ben Green(Founder)inJavier C(Founder)Juan Ansaldo Aguilar(Founder)in
Co-investorsBetter Ventures Central Llc
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Immersion offers SIX, a mobile app that identifies six key daily moments intended to support personal fulfillment and wellbeing.
ConsumerMental HealthWellness & Fitness
Paul J. Zak(Founder)in
Co-investorsDraper AssociatesIntel Capital
Inner Cosmos develops a minimally invasive brain-computer interface, described as a "digital pill," aimed at treating depression.
Deep TechDigital HealthMedical DevicesMental HealthScotts Valley, US
Meron Gribetz(Executive Officer)in
Co-investorsAIR CapitalKrillion VenturesLool VenturesLoup VenturesStarlight Ventures
Keep provides an all-in-one financial platform for Canadian businesses, offering business cards with higher credit limits, expense automation, global banking services, and growth capital financing.
Enterprise SoftwareFintechSaaSCanada, CA
Oliver Takach(Founder)in
Co-investors305 VenturesAngel Collective Opportunity FundBase Venture Management, Inc.Data TechEvolution VenturesSouth Quad+1 more
Knotel provides managed office spaces and workplace services with design-led workspaces across multiple international locations.
Future of WorkPropTechLondon, GB
Amol Sarva(Executive Officer, Director)inEdward Shenderovich(Director)in
BoardLinda Fayne Levinson(Director)
Co-investorsEcoMachines VenturesReshape500 GlobalBloomberg BetaMercuriaPeak State Ventures+1 more
Kolors offers premium economy intercity bus travel in Mexico, with online booking and payment by card or cash on boarding, pickup/drop-off at designated Kolors points, 24/7 customer support, and a rewards program.
ConsumerMobility & TransportationTravel & Hospitality
Rodrigo Martínez(Founder & CEO)inAnca Gardea(Founder)in
Co-investorsCrunchFundManiv MobilityMGV.VCTuesday CapitalAMPLIFICABling Capital+8 more
Kolors operates a digital bus travel service in Mexico, offering premium economy intercity trips that passengers can book and pay for online or in cash on boarding.
ConsumerMobility & TransportationTravel & Hospitality
Rodrigo Martínez(Founder & CEO)in
Co-investorsAmplifica CapitalBling CapitalK50 VenturesMGV.VCNorte VenturesUP Partners+10 more
Krush Media provides digital advertising solutions including ad sales, monetization, and yield strategy services for brands and publishers.
AdTechAI & Machine LearningMarketing Tech
Body & Bell is a kettlebell-focused strength and conditioning training program offered through the Ladder fitness platform for users seeking to build strength and improve body composition with minimal equipment.
ConsumerSaaSSports TechWellness & Fitness
Jonny Arakelian(Founder)inTom Digan(Founder)in
Co-investorsPoint72 VenturesTapestry VCGROOVE CAPITALNina Capital
Lightbox OOH offers video advertising in a large-format out-of-home display format.
AdTechMedia & EntertainmentNew York, US
Varda industrializes low Earth orbit by manufacturing pharmaceuticals and other specialized products in space, then returning them to Earth via reusable reentry capsules.
BiotechDeep TechSpace TechEl Segundo, US
Will Bruey(Co-founder)inDelian Asparouhov(Co-founder)in
Co-investorsAlso CapitalCaffeinated CapitalFounders FundKhosla VenturesLux CapitalGeneral Catalyst+25 more
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mitú is a digital media outlet publishing news, culture, sports, and lifestyle content focused on Latino and Hispanic American audiences.
Media & Entertainment
Co-investorsAdvancit CapitalThe Chernin Group (TCG Crypto)Upfront Ventures
Momos provides AI agents for hospitality brands that automate guest relations across channels such as reviews, SMS, email, and third-party delivery, auto-resolving support tickets and generating customer experience insights.
AI & Machine LearningMarketing TechSaaS
Sai Alluri(Founder)in
Co-investorsAlpha Wave GlobalHOF Capital645 VenturesCaptii VenturesCorrelation VenturesFJ Labs+5 more
Nacho Nacho is a SaaS and AI marketplace that aggregates productivity tools and software solutions, offering discounts and deals to individuals and teams seeking to reduce software costs.
AI & Machine LearningB2B MarketplacesFuture of WorkHR TechSaaSSector Agnostic
Co-investorsA'Z AngelsFlyer One VenturesMAGIC FundTunitas Ventures
OrkestaPay provides a unified payment processing platform for e-commerce businesses, consolidating multiple payment methods and fraud prevention systems into a single checkout integration.
E-commerceFintechSaaS
Outcome is an AI orchestration platform that connects to an organization's existing systems and data sources, applies governed AI reasoning through its central agent "Delphi," and surfaces auditable recommendations that require human approval before action.
AI & Machine LearningData & InfrastructureEnterprise Software
Jason Petralia(Founder & Chief Executive Officer)inJohn M. Olson(Co-Founder & Chief Innovation Officer)Matt Burger(Chief Operating Officer)
Co-investorsCapitalGGoldman SachsPritzker Group Venture Capital
Owners is a website-building service that creates professional websites for non-technical small business owners, handling the technical work on their behalf.
Marketing TechSaaS
Co-investorsSpice Capital
Boulder-based game studio building the Unioverse, a community-owned, blockchain-linked sci-fi videogame franchise.
Boulder, US
ANTHONY HARMAN(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)ANNA FARR(Executive Officer)WYETH RIDGWAY(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)
Co-investors2 Punks CapitalAppWorks VenturesResolute VenturesAsymmetric
Sail Internet is a fiber-based internet service provider serving the San Francisco Bay Area and Silicon Valley since 2015.
Fremont, US
Kevin Fisher(Chief Product Officer)inGeorge GinisinDana Wayne Tom(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardAshmeet Sidana(Director)inClint Korver(Director)in
Co-investorsBetter Ventures Central LlcLong Venture PartnersUlu VenturesV1 VCEngineering Capital
Shackleton is a construction technology platform that provides project management and operational tools for contractors.
AI & Machine LearningConstruction TechEnterprise SoftwareSaaS
Michael Ragheb(Founder)in
Smirk Health creates an AI-powered Benefits Infrastructure Layer platform that provides portable, modular health insurance coverage for the modern workforce including contractors, part-time workers, and gig workers.
AI & Machine LearningDigital HealthHealthtechInsurTechMountain View, US
Felix W. Ortiz III(CEO)
Co-investorsCity LightStone Mountain Ventures
Solara is a Mexican fintech that provides turnkey solar energy solutions and flexible financing plans for commercial and industrial businesses, managing design, installation, maintenance, and monitoring.
CleantechEnergyFintechWalnut, US
Christofer Voegelin Diener(Founder)inJavier de la Calle Pardo(Director)Dori Rutkevitz(Executive Officer, Director)Christofer Voegelin(Executive Officer, Director)Thomas Dinwoodie(Director)Daniel Rosen(Director)
Co-investorsLowercarbon CapitalSunna Ventures
Southbridge builds AI programs (called "hanks") and an open-source long-horizon execution runtime (hankweave) that coordinates multiple LLM agents to automate first-mile data ingest and data engineering at scale.
AI & Machine LearningData & InfrastructureDeveloper ToolsSingapore, SG
Minu Choi(Co-founder)Hrishi Olickel(Co-founder)in
Co-investorsGeneral Partnership
EverFleet provides EV leasing, financing, and fleet-management services for businesses and professional drivers, including contractor fleets, last-mile delivery operators, small businesses, and rideshare/gig drivers.
CleantechLogistics & Supply ChainMobility & TransportationSan Francisco, US
Sunil Paul(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)in
BoardMartin Lagod(Director)Robert Day(Director)in
Co-investorsSpring Lane CapitalCity Light
Stylus Medicine develops in vivo genetic medicines using engineered recombinases, with initial focus on creating CAR-T therapies delivered via lipid nanoparticles for oncology, autoimmune, and genetic diseases.
BiotechDigital HealthMedical Devices
Michael C. Bassik, Ph.D.(Scientific Founder)inEmile Nuwaysir, Ph.D.(Chairman & Chief Executive Officer)inJason Fontenot, Ph.D.(Chief Scientific Officer)
Co-investorsKhosla VenturesNeva Sgr.RA CapitalTachyon Ventures
Tangibly provides AI-powered trade secret protection and governance software for companies to identify, protect, and leverage proprietary assets.
AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareFintechLegalTechSeattle, US
Erich Spangenberg(Co Founder and CEO)Tim Londergan(CEO)inLiat Belinson(Executive Officer)inChristopher Buntel(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardAseem Datar(Director)in
Co-investorsMadrona Venture GroupHOLT VenturesIncisive VenturesMVP VenturesSpike VenturesVolo Ventures+1 more
AGI infrastructure company solving the human intelligence bottleneck and empowering enterprises to harness generative AI.
AI & Machine LearningSilicon Valley, US
Jonathan Siddharth(Founder)inVijay Krishnan(Founder)in
Co-investorsAltaIR CapitalAmino CapitalAngel Collective Opportunity FundAVVChapter OneFlucas Ventures+12 more
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Vacatia operates an online platform for buying, selling, and booking timeshare and resort vacation accommodations, offering resort-style lodging paired with hotel-like services.
ConsumerMarketplacesPropTechTravel & HospitalitySan Francisco, US
Steven Muldowney(Executive Officer)Caroline Shin(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardNoah Doyle(Director)inAmy Errett(Director)inRobert Spottswood(Director)Keith Cox(Director)in
Co-investorsAUTHENTIC VENTURESBee PartnersJavelin Venture PartnersZenStone Venture CapitalTrue Ventures
Wavedash is a web-based gaming platform that runs games natively in browsers without downloads or installs, enabling instant multiplayer by sharing a link.
AI & Machine LearningConsumerGamingSaaSSan Francisco, US
Kyler Blue(Co-Founder & CEO)inRaymond (George) Kennedy(Founder)inMatthew Portner(Founder)in
Co-investorsFloodgateY CombinatorAdvancit CapitalGriffin Gaming PartnersLowercase CapitalMarch Capital Partners+1 more
Wavedash is a browser-based gaming platform that runs games natively in Chrome without downloads, installs, or streaming latency, and provides link-based multiplayer.
Cloud ComputingDeveloper ToolsGamingSanta Monica, US
Kyler Blue(Founder)in
Co-investorsAdvancit CapitalFloodgateLowercase CapitalMarch Capital PartnersRebel FundY Combinator
Webacy provides risk intelligence for crypto assets, wallets, and transactions, offering products to screen tokens (KYA), wallets (KYW), and transactions (KYT).
Crypto & Web3CybersecurityFintech
Co-investorsPure VenturesDG Daiwa VenturesgmjpGSRMIRAISEMozilla Ventures+2 more
Steven Kramer(Founder)in
Co-investorsBlumberg CapitalHarmony PartnersInovia Capital
Zappos is an online retailer selling shoes, sandals, and related footwear accessories from brands such as Crocs across men's, women's, and kids' categories.
ConsumerE-commerceRetail Tech
Co-investorsAccelerator VenturesAurumBase Venture Management, Inc.Glynn Capital ManagementMillennium New HorizonsMillennium Technology Value Partners+2 more
Other
Tracked investments with no reachable website or further public details — typically companies that wound down, renamed, or were absorbed.
Bid4AssetsBuilding Blocks for Better BatteriesClintuIcloudKIO NetworksKnoblrlobby-pastinv-opentable@2xMe.comMentaOpenTablePeachypaySdltradosSmirkUniscapeVoiceplug
Rows marked “SEC filing” are inferred from directors named on the company's SEC Form D — public regulatory data, not a portfolio list published by the firm.
Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companiesSolara · theloggicalinvestor.substack.com · Aug 30, 2026
Anvil · fundedstartupsdaily.com · Aug 27, 2026
Klay · alleywatch.com · Aug 24, 2026
Immersion · vanderbilt.edu · Aug 7, 2026
Commonwealth Fusion Systems · techcrunch.com · Jul 30, 2026
Ladder · orrick.com · Jun 24, 2026
Finvero · finvero-pro.net · Jun 17, 2026
Frequently asked questions
- How many investments has Brainstorm Ventures made?
- Brainstorm Ventures has 71 tracked investments, 2 of which have exited, including 2 dated in the last 24 months.
- What stage does Brainstorm Ventures invest at?
- Brainstorm Ventures invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A stages.
- What sectors does Brainstorm Ventures focus on?
- Brainstorm Ventures focuses on Consumer, Enterprise Software, Fintech, Media & Entertainment, New Materials, Retail Tech, SaaS, Sector Agnostic.
- Where is Brainstorm Ventures located?
- Brainstorm Ventures is headquartered in San Francisco, US.
- Who does Brainstorm Ventures co-invest with?
- Brainstorm Ventures most often shares deals with Angel Collective Opportunity Fund, HOF Capital, Khosla Ventures, among 152 tracked co-investors.
Media · Podcasts & interviews
featuring the teamInvestor Series - Ariel Jaduszliwer, VC, Brainstorm Ventures - RBL1 Live
Rebel One · Ariel Jaduszliwer
Images
Co-investors · 22
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Peak State Ventures is a venture capital firm investing in the future of work, PropTech, and digital healthcare.
Alumni Ventures (AV) is a venture capital firm that co-invests alongside lead VCs in startups, backing founders with capital and access to a large investor and operator community.
Foundation Capital is an early-stage venture capital firm that commits to founders at the idea stage and maintains long-term relationships with portfolio companies through their growth journey.
Plug and Play is an innovation platform that connects corporations, governments, startups, investors, and universities to drive innovation.
AVV is a Vietnam-focused early-stage venture capital firm that has been investing since 2015, backing over 100 companies including several unicorns.
Mindset Ventures is a venture capital firm that invests in and actively supports technology startups, providing capital as well as business development, strategy, and mentorship, with a notable focus on helping companies expand into markets such as Brazil.
Long Journey Ventures is an early-stage venture firm that backs unconventional, 'magically weird' founders and ideas, positioning itself as a hands-on, community-oriented partner to its companies.
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B Capital is a global investment firm backing early to late-stage technology innovators across technology, healthcare, and energy & resilience sectors.
UpHonest Capital is a Silicon Valley-based investment firm founded in 2017 that supports cross-border entrepreneurship and investment between China and the United States, and runs media, scout, and incubation programs.
▶10 more co-investors
Canvas VenturesGaingelsArray Ventures Management LlcClimate CapitalFrontier Venture Capitalf7 VenturesProof GroupUnchained Capital, Inc.GroWrkIdeas y Capital
Firms observed investing alongside Brainstorm Ventures, from public investor directories. Shared companies are the overlap with Brainstorm Ventures's recorded portfolio.
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