Criticality
Venture capitalPre-Seed–Seed · 2 people tracked
Also known as Antler & Criticality
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Investment thesis
Criticality backs early-stage founders working at the intersection of deep technology and pressing human need. The firm focuses on ventures that combine technical complexity with real-world urgency, seeking teams solving hard problems where advanced technology meets critical demand.
Source: firm website, verified Sep 20, 2026.
Team · 2 people
from the firm's website & curatedRyan Sommerville, first hire who established his firm's US presence in NY and Austin, runs founder-focused cohorts, emphasizes community over programming, and favors founders showing real-world risk-taking and personal magnetism.
Kelly LaBuff is a Principal at Criticality, part of Antler's US funds, where she invests from pre-seed to Series A stages with a focus on climate and deep tech. She previously worked at three venture capital firms—Antler, Toba Capital, and Building Ventures—while earning an MBA at Harvard Business School, and before that held roles as a system-level engineer and operations manager at agtech startups. She also holds an engineering background from Stanford.
What they invest in
from 7 of 9 portfolio companiesAI & Machine Learning ×4Healthtech ×3Construction Tech ×2PropTech ×2Advanced Manufacturing ×1Biotech ×1Cybersecurity ×1Deep Tech ×1
HQs:United States×3
Investments · 9 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathProvides 24/7 telehealth services for skilled nursing and residential care facilities, offering virtual physician consultations and AI-based documentation and billing tools.
AI & Machine LearningDigital HealthHealthtech
Co-investorsYonder VC
American Housing designs and manufactures modular rowhomes using a proprietary kit-of-parts built for mass production, container shipping, and rapid on-site assembly, with an internal software platform (Alamo) managing underwriting, site planning, factory production, and installation.
Advanced ManufacturingConstruction TechPropTech
Co-investorsAntlerHustle FundOperator StackSHOR
Cedar combines licensed architectural services with AI-driven design tools to take housing projects from site analysis through design and permitting.
AI & Machine LearningConstruction TechPropTechAustin, US
Nate Peters(Founder)in
Co-investorsAlumni VenturesAntlerCrosscourt VenturesAndreessen HorowitzConcord Health PartnersJP Morgan Chase+2 more
Dream builds sovereign technology systems that let national governments manage critical assets and infrastructure within their own borders and control.
AI & Machine LearningCybersecurityDefense TechGovTech
Shalev Hulio(Founder & CEO)inSebastian Kurz(Founder)in
Co-investors7GC & CoBain Capital VenturesGiTV, Inc.Invariantes FundSparkwave CapitalXT Venture Capital+7 more
Karoo provides value-based care solutions for cardiology networks, health systems, and health plans, combining on-site and virtual care teams with proprietary technology to improve patient outcomes and reduce costs.
HealthtechSaaS
Ian Koons(Founder)in
Co-investors7wire VenturesAloft VCAntlerBIP VenturesDria VenturesFirst Trust Capital Partners+3 more
OMTX develops machine learning tools and datasets for drug discovery, helping researchers globally identify new therapeutic mechanisms of action and accelerate the development of medicines.
AI & Machine LearningBiotechDeep Tech
Co-investorsAntlerMetaplanet
Orion Sleep develops smart sleep technology, including sensors and covers, to make world-class sleep science accessible and affordable for consumers.
HardwareHealthtechIoTWellness & FitnessSan Francisco, US
Dr. Michael Breus(Chief Sleep Officer)harry gestetner(founder & ceo)in
Co-investorsBoot64 VenturesBreak Trail VenturesMucker CapitalNZVCSHORSupermoon Capital+3 more
Other
Tracked investments with no reachable website or further public details — typically companies that wound down, renamed, or were absorbed.
OM TherapeuticsStandard Electron
Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companiesDream Security · siliconangle.com · Jun 18, 2026
Frequently asked questions
- How many investments has Criticality made?
- Criticality has 9 tracked investments.
- What stage does Criticality invest at?
- Criticality invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed stages.
- What sectors does Criticality focus on?
- Criticality focuses on Biotech, Cleantech, Construction Tech, Deep Tech, Energy, Healthtech, Sector Agnostic.
- Who does Criticality co-invest with?
- Criticality most often shares deals with Antler, SHOR, 7wire Ventures, among 31 tracked co-investors.
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