What stage does Cape Fear Ventures invest at?

Cape Fear Ventures invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A stages.

Cape Fear Ventures

Venture capital

Pre-Seed–Series A · 4 people tracked

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Investment thesis

Cape Fear Ventures concentrates on early-stage companies across four sectors: enterprise software rebuilding industries still running on spreadsheets and phone calls; applied AI aimed at proprietary data and workflows competitors cannot replicate; defense and national security technology built to be fielded in demanding conditions; and space infrastructure for the orbital economy including manufacturing, power, propulsion, awareness, and reusability. The firm emphasizes operational support, strategic growth, and helping teams build durable companies that can withstand downturns. Partners bring experience as founders, operators, and investors, providing hands-on mentorship through early-stage challenges.

Invests inAdvanced Manufacturing AI & Machine Learning Defense Tech Enterprise Software SaaS Space Tech United States

Source: firm website, verified Oct 2, 2026.

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Stage

Pre-Seed–Series A

Instruments

Equity

Tracked investments

Team · 4 people

from the firm's website & public directories

Richard Stroupe· Founder / Managing Partnerin

Serial entrepreneur, investor, and technologist who has founded, built, and exited multiple ventures across technology, defense, and real estate. He created the Elevate CEO Retreat and hosts The Amplified CEO Podcast, and has taught at George Washington and Georgetown Universities.

Justin Edelman· Venture Partner· Wilmington, North Carolina area

AI technologist, founder, and product builder who led an early ambient clinical AI pilot and scaled it at Microsoft. At the firm he handles technical diligence, AI strategy, and applied technology, and he founded June Coast building software across healthcare and regulated industries.

Matt Gittleman· Venture Partner· Washington, DC area

Early-stage venture investor and former startup operator who leads deal sourcing, diligence, and portfolio management. His thesis centers on data moats, dual-use technology, and regulated markets, with prior roles at Blu Ventures and Core Capital Partners. He is a Director at JHH VC and founding partner of VC in DC.

Thomas Hornall· Venture Partner· Norway

Former Press Association reporter who now leads the firm's communications and market narrative, developing long-form investment content and sector commentary across its core thesis areas.

What they invest in

from 1 of 1 portfolio companies

Advanced Manufacturing ×1Defense Tech ×1Hardware ×1Robotics ×1

HQs:United States×1

Investments · 1 tracked

founders shown can be your intro path

Vernius Systems, Inc.vernius.systems inSeed

Vernius makes drop-in hardware modules that add autonomous or operator-assisted targeting to existing FPV interceptor drones.

Advanced ManufacturingDefense TechHardwareRoboticsSan Francisco, US

Hisham El-Halabi(Founder)in Joe Gonzalez(Founder)inArthur Nguyen-cao(Founder/CEO)in

Co-investorsY Combinator Agrolimen Ventures Batch Ventures Founder Capital Grant Park Ventures Northside Ventures +8 more

Frequently asked questions

What stage does Cape Fear Ventures invest at?: Cape Fear Ventures invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A stages.
What sectors does Cape Fear Ventures focus on?: Cape Fear Ventures focuses on Advanced Manufacturing, AI & Machine Learning, Defense Tech, Enterprise Software, SaaS, Space Tech.

Featured in lists

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