Caruso Ventures
Venture capitalBoulder · Pre-Seed–Series B · 13 people tracked
Find your way into Caruso Ventures
6,603 people in our graph share verified history with the Caruso Ventures team — schools, employers, funds. One of them is your warm intro.
Investment thesis
Caruso Ventures aims to be Colorado's most catalytic technology investor, with a twenty-year mission to establish Colorado as the world's leading innovation ecosystem. The firm invests directly in promising Colorado tech entrepreneurs, prioritizing earlier-stage deals and taking active governance roles in portfolio companies. It concentrates on sectors where Colorado holds natural strengths — quantum, space, defense tech, and digital infrastructure — and treats capital formation as a core vertical. Beyond investing, CV works to attract outside capital into Colorado companies and to build a broad ecosystem through collaboration with universities, accelerators, co-investors, and community partners, using storytelling platforms to spotlight the region's innovators.
Source: firm website, verified Aug 7, 2026.
Team · 13 people
from the firm's website & public directories
What they invest in
from 30 of 33 portfolio companiesDeep Tech ×12Hardware ×10Consumer ×6Media & Entertainment ×6Quantum Computing ×5SaaS ×5Defense Tech ×4Space Tech ×4
HQs:United States×26
Who they back
founder profiles across 19 portfolio companiesFounding team size:solo founder×162 founders×3
Where their founders studiedfrom 17 founders with education data
The University of Chicago Booth School of Business ×3University of Colorado Boulder ×3Massachusetts Institute of Technology ×2Stanford University Graduate School of Business ×2University of Arizona ×2
Where their founders worked beforefrom 18 founders with career history
Jadu AR ×2Voyager Technologies ×2
Accelerator rootsportfolio companies that came through a program
Investments · 33 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathBy year:2026 · 22024 · 22022 · 26 dated
Infleqtion builds neutral-atom quantum computers, precision quantum sensors, and related software, and works on integrated photonics to scale quantum systems.
Deep TechHardwareQuantum ComputingLouisville, US
Dana Anderson(Founder)inPranav Gokhale(Chief Technology Officer)inPaul Lipman(Chief Revenue Officer)inJason D. Hall(Chief Legal Officer)inIlan Hart(Chief Financial Officer)inMatthew J. Kinsella(Chief Executive Officer)in
Co-investorsBreakthrough VictoriaForma PrimeGlynn Capital ManagementIn-Q-TelS VenturesS32+4 more
Voyager Technologies builds defense and space systems, including solid-fuel and electric propulsion, energetics (the only U.S. provider of black powder), radiation-hardened space electronics, guidance and navigation systems, lunar and long-duration spaceflight infrastructure, and signals-intelligence/spectrum-dominance software.
Deep TechDefense TechSpace TechDenver, US
Dylan Taylor(Executive Officer, Director)inMatt Kuta(Executive Officer, Director)inCheryl Shavers(Director)Alan Stern(Director)Marian Joh(Director)William Shelton(Director)
Co-investorsHemisphere Ventures LLCIndustrious VenturesIronGate Capital AdvisorsLunaCap VenturesRosecliff VenturesScout Ventures+1 more
Agile Space Industries manufactures in-space chemical propulsion systems including thrusters and rocket engines for satellite and spacecraft operations.
Deep TechDefense TechHardwareSpace TechDurango, US
Daudi M. Barnes(Executive Officer, Director)inDavid Cuthbertson(COO)inChris Pearson(CEO)inWilliam Francis(CCO)inKris Schaa(CFO)Kristin Schaa(Executive Officer)in
Co-investorsCORI InnovationCortado VenturesGreater Colorado Venture FundGreenline Community Ventures, LlcKokopelli CapitalDenver Ventures+2 more
Atom Computing develops large-scale quantum computers using optically-trapped neutral atoms for on-premises deployment.
Deep TechHardwareQuantum ComputingBerkeley, US
Ben Bloom(Founder & CEO)in
BoardDror Berman(Director)inEthan Batraski(Director)in
Co-investorsAbstract VenturesBerkeley FrontierBlue Ivy VenturesBoxGroupCantos VenturesCisco Investments+15 more
BillGO operates BillGO Exchange, a payments platform that converts paper checks into digital payments and aggregates them into a single self-service portal for reconciliation.
FintechSaaSFort Collins, US
Daniel W. Holt(Executive Officer, Director)Kenneth Wayne Allen(Director)Scott M. Miller(Executive Officer, Director)Stephen R. Biddle(Director)
BoardPeter J. Kight(Director)inLarry Mazza(Director)
Co-investorsBankTech VenturesCohen CircleCommerce VenturesStructural Capital
Boom Supersonic develops supersonic aircraft and engines, including the Overture commercial airliner and the Symphony turbofan engine, targeting commercial aviation and advanced infrastructure applications.
Advanced ManufacturingDeep TechHardwareSpace TechCentennial, US
Blake Scholl(Founder/CEO)in
Co-investorsActivant CapitalAltra VentureAngel Collective Opportunity FundBessemer Venture PartnersCelesta CapitalDraper Associates+24 more
Boom develops supersonic aviation technology, including Overture, a supersonic airliner with orders from United, American, and Japan Airlines, and Symphony, a turbofan engine built for supersonic flight.
Deep TechHardwareMobility & TransportationCentennial, US
Blake Scholl(Founder & CEO)in
Co-investorsBessemer Venture PartnersDenver VenturesDraper AssociatesE15Industrious VenturesKima Ventures+9 more
Canopy Aerospace & Defense designs and manufactures specialized materials and components for aerospace, defense, and space applications, including composites, thermal protection systems, and machined parts.
Deep TechDefense TechNew MaterialsSpace TechChicago, US
Co-investorsFulcrum VentureSprint VcTechstars
Chamba is an on-demand staffing platform that connects businesses with gig workers for short-term, seasonal, and long-term employment needs across hospitality and general labor roles.
B2B MarketplacesFuture of WorkHR TechWestminster, US
David Brogan(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)
BoardJohn McCrea(Director)
Co-investorsTechstarsThe Colorado Impact Fund
Exum develops the Massbox, a laser ablation laser ionization (LALI) analytical instrument for scientific labs that improves ionization efficiency and ease of use.
Deep TechHardwareNew MaterialsDenver, US
Michael A Minyard(Executive Officer)inJames Thorson(Executive Officer, Director)Jeffrey Williams(CEO/CTO)inStephen Strickland(Director)
BoardPaul Giovacchini(Director)Doug Campbell(Director)
Co-investorsBand of AngelsCortado VenturesFortySix Venture CapitalHouston Angel Network
Firefly operates a network of digital advertising screens on vehicles including car top displays and branded wraps on taxis and rideshare vehicles, delivering geo-targeted and contextually relevant messages to urban audiences across 60,000+ screens in the U.S. and 7 countries globally.
AdTechMarketing TechMarketplacesMedia & EntertainmentMobility & TransportationNew York City, US
Kaan Gunay(Co-Founder and CEO)inOnur KardeşlerSteve Cymerman
Co-investorsNFX500 Emerging Europe500 GlobalChesterfield FundMaC Venture CapitalMultiplier Capital+8 more
Guest House provides home staging and pre-listing styling services for real estate agents and sellers, offering pay-at-close pricing where fees come out of sale proceeds.
B2B MarketplacesPropTechDenver, US
Co-investorsBreak Trail VenturesRange VCService Provider CapitalV1 VCDenver Ventures
Language IO offers an AI-powered translation platform for multilingual customer support operations, allowing teams to serve customers across additional languages.
AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareSaaSCheyenne, US
Heather Shoemaker(Founder & CEO)in
BoardALEX MUROMCEW(Director)ROBERT DAVOLI(Director)inTUOMO VUOLTEENAHO(Director)TOM AXBEY(Director)RENATO BENINATTO(Director)
Co-investorsJoint EffectsGutbrain VenturesOmega Venture PartnersRaptor GroupService Provider Capital
Maybell Quantum designs and manufactures dilution refrigerators for quantum computing and research, offering systems that reach base temperatures below 10mK with front-opening access and self-regenerating helium traps.
Deep TechHardwareQuantum ComputingDenver, US
Corban Israel Tillemann-Dick(Executive Officer, Director)Bryan Choo(Executive Officer, Director)in
BoardChristopher Darby(Director)Mary K. Bush(Director)
Co-investorsDecisive PointIn-Q-TelThe E14 FundLavrock Ventures
Mindful Care provides mental health services, offering information and treatment for conditions such as bipolar disorder.
Digital HealthHealthtechMental HealthWest Hempstead, US
Tamir Aldad(Executive Officer, Director)inChris Lozynski(Executive Officer)inRam Pardeshi(Executive Officer)
BoardMark Groner(Director)
Noctal builds AI-powered sound design software that analyzes video footage, identifies sound events, and automatically places matching effects from a library of over 200,000 human-recorded sounds.
AI & Machine LearningMedia & EntertainmentSaaSLos Angeles, US
Isaiah Chavous(Executive Officer, Director)inJames Paul(Executive Officer, Director)in
BoardDaniel Caruso(Director)
Outside, Inc. operates a portfolio of digital and print media brands focused on outdoor sports, fitness, and wellness.
ConsumerMedia & EntertainmentSports TechBoulder, US
Co-investorsImagination CapitalNext VenturesProgress VenturesService Provider Capital
Payload is an open-source Next.js backend platform serving developers and marketers who need flexibility beyond traditional content management systems.
Cloud ComputingDeveloper ToolsEnterprise SoftwareSaaSGrand Rapids, US
James Mikrut(Founder)inElliot DeNolf(Founder)inDan Ribbens(Founder)inRyan Rybolt(Executive Officer, Director)inIan Halpern(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardPatricia Felts(Director)
Co-investorsGradient VenturesGrand VenturesY CombinatorBaillie GiffordBlackRockCoatue Management+6 more
Pippin Title is a nationwide title search company that combines proprietary technology with a network of ground searchers to deliver residential, commercial, and energy (oil & gas, cell tower, wind turbine, agricultural) title searches.
LegalTechPropTechSaaSNew York City, US
Bharat Das(CEO)
Co-investorsDas & Co.DeciensFairhaven Capital PartnersIneffable Ventures
Radia is developing the WindRunner, an aircraft designed to carry oversized cargo—with roughly 10x the volume of a 777 and the ability to land on unpaved runways—for energy, defense, and other large cargo applications.
Defense TechEnergy
Mark Lundstrom(Founder & CEO)in
Co-investorsGood Growth CapitalLauder Partners
Co-investorsInnovative Solutions CanadaMEDINA VENTURES
AI/spacetech company operating in stealth mode.
Toters is an on-demand delivery platform that connects customers with partner stores to deliver goods directly to their doorstep across multiple cities.
ConsumerLogistics & Supply ChainMarketplaces
Co-investorsBY Venture PartnersPhoenician VC
Tovala provides prepared meals delivered weekly that are cooked in a proprietary WiFi-connected smart oven, requiring minimal preparation and cooking time.
ConsumerFoodTechHardwareIoTChicago, US
David Rabie(Founder/CEO)in
Co-investorsBeringeaComcast VenturesDYDX CapitalEvolution VC PartnersGFR FundLeft Lane Capital+6 more
Volumetric Biotechnologies, acquired by 3D Systems in 2021, develops bioprinting materials and vascularized human tissue constructs.
BiotechDeep TechHealthtechMedical DevicesHouston, US
Jordan Miller(Co-Founder and President)inBagrat Grigoryan(Co-Founder, COO)in
Co-investorsGoAhead VenturesHelios CapitalSand Hill AngelsSocial StartsY CombinatorBoxOne Ventures+3 more
VUZ operates an immersive video streaming platform offering 360-degree and virtual reality access to live events, sports, entertainment, celebrities, and masterclasses.
ConsumerMedia & EntertainmentLos Angeles, US
Khaled Zaatarah(Founder)in
Co-investors500 GlobalShorooq PartnersDubai Future District FundFaith CapitalImpact46
Zayo provides network infrastructure and services, with 2024 investments focused on network expansion and service excellence.
Cloud ComputingData & InfrastructureEnterprise SoftwareBoulder, US
Dan Caruso(Founder)in
Co-investorsBattery VenturesCharlesbank Capital PartnersColumbia CapitalNorth Atlantic CapitalOak Investment Partners
Exits · 3
IPOs and acquisitions across the tracked portfolioInfleqtionNYSE: INFQVoyager SpaceNYSE: VOYGVolumetricacq. by 3D Systems
Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companies
Exum · intelligence360.news · Jul 20, 2026
Chamba · tribuneindia.com · Jul 17, 2026
Boom · bfsi.economictimes.indiatimes.com · Jul 17, 2026
Infleqtion · kavout.com · Jul 16, 2026
Firefly · theglobeandmail.com · Jun 27, 2026
Atom Computing · siliconangle.com · Jun 17, 2026
Zayo Group · zayo.com · Apr 24, 2026
Frequently asked questions
- How many investments has Caruso Ventures made?
- Caruso Ventures has 29 tracked investments, 1 of which have exited via acquisition or IPO, including 3 dated in the last 24 months.
- What stage does Caruso Ventures invest at?
- Caruso Ventures invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A, Series B stages.
- What is Caruso Ventures's typical check size?
- Caruso Ventures typically writes checks of $500K – $2.5M.
- What sectors does Caruso Ventures focus on?
- Caruso Ventures focuses on Data & Infrastructure, Deep Tech, Defense Tech, Fintech, Hardware, Media & Entertainment, Mobility & Transportation, Quantum Computing, Sector Agnostic, Space Tech.
- Where is Caruso Ventures located?
- Caruso Ventures is headquartered in Boulder, US.
- Does Caruso Ventures lead rounds?
- Yes, Caruso Ventures leads investment rounds.
- Who does Caruso Ventures co-invest with?
- Caruso Ventures most often shares deals with Service Provider Capital, Y Combinator, Bessemer Venture Partners, among 120 tracked co-investors.
Media · Podcasts & interviews
featuring the teamDan Caruso, '90, founder of Caruso Ventures - Distinguished Speaker Series
The University of Chicago Booth School of Business · Dan Caruso
Similar investors
Khosla Ventures is a venture capital firm founded by Vinod Khosla.
A globally recognized venture capital firm designed to provide access to highly competitive venture deals to individual investors, consistently recognized for top-decile DPI performance and as one of the most active US venture firms.
7percent Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm that backs breakthrough deep tech and moonshot companies at pre-seed and seed stages.
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.
DCVC (Data Collective) is a deep tech venture capital firm that backs entrepreneurs using computational approaches to solve large-scale real-world problems across many industries.