🦊/Investors

Firebrand Ventures

Venture capitalActively deployingoperating company · company profile

Boulder · Seed–Series A · 2 people tracked

Find your way into Firebrand Ventures

3,259 people in our graph share verified history with the Firebrand Ventures team — schools, employers, funds. One of them is your warm intro.

Dave Blivinunlockedknows John Fein · together at Techstars (overlapped)
×9knows the team · via Techstars
knows the team · via Clark University
knows the team · via Plug and Play Ventures
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Investment thesis

Firebrand Ventures invests early in exceptional founders, prioritizing trusted relationships and shared values such as integrity, transparency, and authentic leadership. Emerging from a Techstars background, the firm focuses on startups outside the coastal hubs, having backed companies in cities like Austin, Boulder, Denver, Chicago, Des Moines, and Kansas City. Now investing from its Firebrand II fund, the firm positions itself as a hands-on, responsive, long-term partner throughout the startup journey, seeking entrepreneurs who aspire to be self-aware, humble, and courageous leaders.

Invests inSector AgnosticBoulderUnited States

Source: firm website, verified Aug 3, 2026.

Stage
Seed–Series A
Check
$500K – $1M
HQ
Boulder, Kansas, US
Leads rounds
Leads
Instruments
Equity
Founded
2016
Last 12 months
1 investment
AUM
$100M
Tracked investments
44
Acquisitions
1

Team · 2 people

from public directories

What they invest in

from 35 of 44 portfolio companies

SaaS ×11Consumer ×10AI & Machine Learning ×8Enterprise Software ×7B2B Marketplaces ×6Fintech ×6EdTech ×5Cybersecurity ×4

HQs:United States×30Vietnam×1

Who they back

founder profiles across 18 portfolio companies
89%
solo founders
16 of 18 mapped founding teams
65%
repeat founders
of 17 founders with career history

Founding team size:solo founder×162 founders×13 founders×1

Where their founders studiedfrom 14 founders with education data

Penn State University ×2

What their founders studiedfrom 16 founders with field-of-study data

Business & Management ×4Engineering ×4Finance & Accounting ×3Economics ×2Social Sciences ×2

Accelerator rootsportfolio companies that came through a program

Techstars ×8

Investments · 44 tracked

founders shown can be your intro path

By year:2025 · 12024 · 12023 · 22022 · 22021 · 22020 · 42017 · 12016 · 12014 · 115 dated

Hdatahdata.comin✓ verified

HData is an AI-native operating system that helps utilities, regulators, and energy companies manage regulatory compliance and business intelligence through centralized data and standardized reporting.

AI & Machine LearningData & InfrastructureEnergyEnterprise SoftwareGovTech

Hudson Hollister(Founder)inYuval Lubowich(Co-Founder)in

Co-investorsBuoyant Ventures Management, LlcHyde Park Venture PartnersTechstarsMassMutual VenturesVictorum

Treloratrelora.comin𝕏✓ verified

Trelora is a real estate platform that connects homebuyers and sellers with agent specialists and provides closing services through its Newfound Title & Escrow subsidiary.

B2B MarketplacesMarketplacesPropTechSaaSDenver, US

Joshua Hunt(Founder)Rod Ward(Chief Executive Officer)inSteffany Ayala(Chief Financial Officer)inGarrett O. Kearbey(Director, Chief Marketing Officer)David L. Workman(Director, Chief Operating Officer)Keith Hunniford(Chief Technology Officer)

Co-investorsMatchstick VenturesRoyal Street Ventures Management Company, LlcService Provider CapitalTechstars

Videatevideate.ioin𝕏✓ verified

Videate provides AI-driven video automation software that automatically updates product videos whenever software changes occur.

AdTechAI & Machine LearningEdTechMarketing TechSaaSAustin, US

Dave Gullo(Co-founder)Ryan Arnett(CEO)

Co-investorsS3 VenturesTensility Venture PartnersAiSprouts VC

8base8base.comin𝕏Series A · May 2022 · $10.6M

8base is a backend-as-a-service platform that turns text prompts into application blueprints, generating a data model, test data, custom backend functions, and a GraphQL API for software developers.

AI & Machine LearningCloud ComputingDeveloper ToolsSaaSCoral Gables, US

Albert Santalo(Founder and CEO)in

Board seatJohn Fein· per SEC Form D

Co-investorsAlumni VenturesBasecamp FundBeresford VenturesStrawberry Creek VenturesTechstarsArgonautic Ventures+3 more

Automoxautomox.comin𝕏Seed · Jul 2017 · $1M

Automox provides an IT automation platform that helps modern organizations manage and automate their IT operations.

CybersecurityDeveloper ToolsEnterprise SoftwareSaaSBoulder, US

John Prassl(Executive Officer, Director)Justin TalericoinRajat Bhargava(Executive Officer, Director)

BoardChris Marks(Director)in

Co-investorsCRV (Charles River Ventures)Ergo CapitalGula Tech AdventuresKoch Disruptive TechnologiesService Provider CapitalTechOperators Venture Capital+3 more

Choicedigitalchoicedigital.comin

Choice Digital provides digital payout solutions that let organizations offer consumers multiple ways to receive payments such as claims settlements, rebates, and deposit returns.

Enterprise SoftwareFintechInsurTechSaaS

Craftycraftydelivers.comin

Crafty provides workplace pantry management services, combining expert-led food and beverage delivery with a proprietary platform to manage office snacking programs across multiple locations.

B2B MarketplacesFuture of WorkSaaSChicago, US

Cameron Lawrence(Executive Officer)James Paul(Executive Officer)Christopher Ritter(Executive Officer, Director)Nathan Rosenstock(Executive Officer, Director)inIshan Daya(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)

BoardBrian Hirsch(Director)

Co-investors7BC Venture CapitalBluestein VenturesGreycroftJLL Spark Global VenturesInterplay Ventures Early Stage Management LlcJLL Spark

Drop Mobilitydropmobility.comin

Drop is an urban micromobility company that builds internet-connected, app-based small electric vehicles — including e-bikes, retrofit kits, scooters, cargo, and adaptive vehicles — along with rider apps, a cloud monitoring platform, and turn-key bike-share operations.

HardwareIoTMobility & Transportation

Qiming Weng(Cofounder)in

Co-investorsExpansion Venture CapitalGrand VenturesTrucks VCDecathlon Capital Partners

Dwolladwolla.cominAcquired

Dwolla provides a modern API platform that enables businesses to connect to US payment networks and facilitate fast bank transfers.

Enterprise SoftwareFintechSaaSDes Moines, US

Ben Milne(Executive Officer, Director)in

BoardCraig Ibsen(Director)inJonathon Triest(Director)inAlbert Wenger(Director)inJeff Russell(Director)Jospeh D Geneser(Director)

Co-investorsAndreessen HorowitzHigh AlphaNext Level VenturesUnion Square Ventures (USV)FoundryLudlow Ventures

Eded.link

Edlink provides Single Sign On (SSO) functionality supporting over a dozen authentication providers, enabling education technology products to integrate seamlessly with school systems via LTI, Clever, Classlink, and other platforms.

Data & InfrastructureDeveloper ToolsEdTechSaaSSan Francisco, US

Dakota Gordon(CEO & Co-Founder)inAmanda Goodson(COO & Co-Founder)in

Co-investorsAllied Venture PartnersPath VenturesWorkshop Venture Partners

Ephemeral Solutionsephemeraltattoos.comin𝕏Jun 2021

Ephemeral produces semi-permanent tattoo ink formulated to fade naturally over 2 years, offering an alternative to permanent tattoos that do not require laser removal.

ConsumerHealthtechWellness & FitnessNew York City, US

Jeffrey Liu(Executive Officer, Director)Brennal Pierre(Director)inJoshua Sakhai(Cofounder)in

BoardBenjamin Sun(Director)

Co-investorsKima VenturesTechstars

FitBarkfitbark.comin𝕏Feb 2014

FitBark makes GPS trackers and health monitoring devices for pets that provide real-time location tracking, activity metrics, and sleep monitoring.

ConsumerHardwareInsurTechIoTForest Hills, US

Davide Rossi(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)inSara Rossi(Founder)in

Co-investorsMissouri Technology CorporationTechstars

Fluent Foreverfluent-forever.comin

Fluent Forever is a language-learning app based on a best-selling book, using images, sound, and spaced-repetition flashcards to build speaking and pronunciation skills rather than relying on translations.

AI & Machine LearningConsumerEdTechChicago, US

Gabriel Wyner(Executive Officer, Director)in

Co-investors37 AngelsAllied Venture PartnersBrighter CapitalChicago Early Growth Ventures (CEGV)Insta VenturesLofty Ventures+4 more

Handraisehandraise.cominNov 2023

Handraise builds a real-time reputation intelligence platform that unifies narrative intelligence, media signals, and AI interpretation to help enterprise brands monitor, understand, and shape their reputation.

AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareMarketing TechAustin, US

Matt Allison(Founder)inDavid Perdue(Chief Technology Officer)inNathan Walker(Head of Customer Success & Measurement)inJustin Papermaster(Head of Revenue & Growth Strategy)in

BoardMorgan Flager(Director)in

Co-investorsFloodgateService Provider CapitalSilverton PartnersAperiam Ventures

HDatahdata.usin𝕏Apr 2020

HData is an AI-native platform that digitizes and analyzes regulatory documents, data, and filings to support research and decision-making for utilities, regulators, and energy professionals.

Data & InfrastructureEnergyFintechGovTechJoliet, US

Hudson Hollister(Executive Officer, Director)inYuval Lubowich(Executive Officer)in

BoardJohn Fein(Director)inAmy Francetic(Director)inAnthony Mealey(Director)Mithun Banarjee(Director)

Co-investorsBlueTree Venture CapitalBuoyant Ventures Management, LlcFrontier Venture CapitalHyde Park Venture PartnersTechstarsWestern Technology Investment+1 more

Inkindinkind.comin

inKind operates a consumer dining app that lets diners pay their restaurant bills by phone and earn up to 20% back at over 8,000 restaurants, bars, and cafés nationwide.

ConsumerFintechFoodTech

Judy Securityjudysecurity.aiin𝕏Seed · Sep 2020 · $3M

Judy is a cybersecurity platform designed for MSPs and SMBs that combines AI threat detection with human security expertise to protect endpoints, emails, and networks.

CybersecurityReston, US

Raffaele Mautone(Founder)in

Co-investorsCompanyon VenturesID VenturesLeft Lane CapitalMichigan RiseNext Coast Ventures645 Ventures

Localcratelocalcrate.com

Localcrate.com publishes curated best-of lists, product reviews, and verified sales and deals across consumer product categories.

ConsumerE-commerceMedia & Entertainment

Co-investorsMatchstick Ventures

Lodasmarketslodasmarkets.comin𝕏

LODAS Securities is a brokerage firm regulated under the Securities Investor Protection Corporation framework for investor asset protection.

B2B MarketplacesFintechMarketplacesPropTechWashington, US

Brian King(CEO)in

Co-investorsService Provider Capital

Nivatinivati.comin𝕏Seed · Mar 2024 · $4M

Nivati is an employee mental health and wellbeing platform that combines an AI-powered companion app with access to licensed therapists, dietitians, financial coaches, group workshops, self-guided content, and 24/7 call and chat therapy.

Digital HealthHealthtechHR TechMental HealthWellness & FitnessSouth Jordan, US

Amelia Wilcox(Founder)Pamela Stevenson(Director)Cydni Tetro(Director)Dan Tyre(Director)Adam Slovik(Director)

Co-investorsAccess Venture PartnersReno Seed FundService Provider CapitalAccess Ventures

Notivizenotivize.comin

Notivize publishes researched editorial content about digital marketing, aiming for articles that remain relevant over time.

AdTechMarketing TechMedia & Entertainment

Omelasomelas.io

Omelas builds Atreus, an agentic AI intelligence workbench that synthesizes multilingual, multidomain intelligence to uncover patterns across datasets and generate reports and presentations from prompts.

AI & Machine LearningDefense TechGovTech

Benjamin D.in

Co-investorsThe Players' Impact

PathSpotpathspottech.comin𝕏

PathSpot provides a health and safety operating system combining hardware and cloud-based software for restaurants, commercial kitchens, food manufacturers, and hospitality businesses.

FoodTechIoTSaaS

Christine Schindler(Founder)in

Co-investorsBAM VenturesFika VenturesWalden Venture Capital

Prefixprefixinc.comin𝕏

PreFix offers a membership-based home maintenance service that coordinates repairs, preventive maintenance, and contractor access for homeowners.

B2B MarketplacesConsumerIoTMarketplacesPropTechAustin, US

James Bilodeau(Founder and CEO)in

Co-investorsAllied Venture PartnersCentral Texas Angel NetworkForefront VentureMatchstick VenturesMoonshots CapitalNewlin Ventures+1 more

Resurfaceresurface.io

Graylog is a SIEM and log management platform for security, IT, and audit teams that collects and correlates log data on one timeline, groups related alerts into weighted incidents, and uses AI agents to assemble investigations and draft reports.

AI & Machine LearningCybersecurityData & InfrastructureBoulder, US

Matt Anderson(Executive Officer)V. Frank Mendicino III(Director)Andrew Grolnick(Executive Officer, Director)Robert A. Dickinson(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)Christine Bottagaro(Executive Officer)Patrick J. Clawson(Executive Officer, Director)

Co-investorsAccess Venture PartnersService Provider CapitalAccess Ventures

RevOps Co-oprevopscoop.comin

RevOps Co-op runs an online community for revenue operations professionals and offers partner programs — including workshops, digital events, sponsored content, and co-branded campaigns — that let companies build brand awareness and generate demand among that audience.

EdTechFuture of WorkMarketing TechMedia & EntertainmentSales Tech

Co-investorsAscend Venture CapitalFrontures

Sheets & Gigglessheetsgiggles.comin𝕏

Sheets & Giggles manufactures sustainable lyocell bedding made from eucalyptus wood pulp, using significantly less water and energy than conventional cotton production.

Circular EconomyCleantechClimate TechConsumerDirect to ConsumerDenver, US

Colin McIntosh(Executive Officer)in

Co-investorsKokopelli CapitalMatchstick VenturesOssian CapitalRockies Venture ClubTechstarsThe Fund

Skiptownskiptown.ioin𝕏

Skiptown provides professional pet care services for dogs.

Advanced ManufacturingB2B MarketplacesConsumerSaaSCharlotte, US

Meggie Williams(Founder)inMike Rotondo(CEO)in

Co-investorsTechstars

Super Dispatchmysuperdispatch.comin𝕏Seed · Feb 2016 · $100K

Advanced ManufacturingFintechInsurTechKansas City, US

Bek Dispatch Abdullayev(Executive Officer, Director)

BoardPat Matthews(Director)in

Co-investorsKCRise FundSilicon BadiaTamarind HillTechstarsActive Capital

Swayreturnmates.comin

Returnmates operates a tech-enabled delivery and returns network for retail brands, offering premium same-day and next-day deliveries, box-less at-home return pickups, and doorstep exchanges.

E-commerceLogistics & Supply ChainRetail TechVenice, US

Eric Wimer(Founder)inKristian Zak(Director)

Co-investors7GC & CoBlackhorn VenturesYes VCLightShed VenturesThe Fund

The Hill Fundthehillfund.com

The Hill Fund is a venture capital firm that invests in startups connected to the University of Kansas, backing companies with Jayhawk founders, executives, or KU affiliations.

Enterprise SoftwareSaaSKansas City, US

John Fein(Managing Partner)in

The Regis Companyregiscompany.cominSep 2023

The Regis Company develops AI-powered simulation software for practice-based learning, helping organizations create training experiences that develop real skills.

AI & Machine LearningEdTechEnterprise SoftwareHR TechGolden, US

Co-investorsFirstMile VenturesService Provider CapitalAccess Venture Partners

Threatcarethreatcare.comin

Threatcare provides educational resources about scams and fraud in plain language, covering how scams work, prevention strategies, and recovery steps for people who have been scammed.

ConsumerCybersecurityDigital HealthAustin, US

Co-investorsTechstarsFlyover CapitalMoonshots Capital

Vantage Pointtryvantagepoint.comSeed · May 2020 · $2M

Xoilac TV is a Vietnamese free live football streaming site broadcasting matches from over 20 competitions such as the Premier League, Champions League, and V-League in Full HD, with backup links, a mobile app, and multiple mirror channels.

Media & Entertainment

Co-investorsColopl Next

Zohrzohr.comin𝕏

Zohr provides mobile tire replacement and repair services that come directly to customers at their location.

Advanced ManufacturingB2B MarketplacesConsumerMobility & TransportationKansas City, US

Co-investorsExpansion Venture CapitalKCRise FundM25TechstarsTrucks VC

Other

Tracked investments with no reachable website or further public details — typically companies that wound down, renamed, or were absorbed.

LODAS MarketsMint Apartment CleaningAssembleEdlinkMermaid ChartRealtoReplicaReplicahqSuperdispatch

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 companies

Frequently asked questions

How many investments has Firebrand Ventures made?
Firebrand Ventures has 44 tracked investments, 1 of which have exited, including 1 dated in the last 24 months.
What stage does Firebrand Ventures invest at?
Firebrand Ventures invests at the Seed, Series A stages.
What is Firebrand Ventures's typical check size?
Firebrand Ventures typically writes checks of $500K – $1M.
What sectors does Firebrand Ventures focus on?
Firebrand Ventures focuses on Sector Agnostic.
Where is Firebrand Ventures located?
Firebrand Ventures is headquartered in Boulder, US.
Does Firebrand Ventures lead rounds?
Yes, Firebrand Ventures leads investment rounds.
Who does Firebrand Ventures co-invest with?
Firebrand Ventures most often shares deals with Techstars, Service Provider Capital, Allied Venture Partners, among 74 tracked co-investors.

Media · Podcasts & interviews

featuring the team

The Journey From Principal to Partner, Seed Diligence Rhythms w/ Claire Hansen of Firebrand Ventures

Valor Ventures · Claire Hansen

#0060 - John Fein Chats About His Seed Stage Venture Fund, Firebrand Ventures

Established · John Fein

Co-investors · 9

Techstars

Techstars is a startup accelerator and early-stage investor that funds ambitious founders and provides capital, mentorship, and access to a global network of investors, operators, and corporate partners.

$220K
KCRise Fund

KCRise Fund is a venture capital firm investing in early-stage technology companies with a strategic connection to the Kansas City region (Kansas and the western half of Missouri).

$1M
Foundry

Foundry invests in early-stage startups and venture funds across multiple sectors. The firm builds a portfolio-based network connecting portfolio companies with other investors and entrepreneurs.

Both backed · 2
$250K – $15M
Alumni Ventures

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.

Both backed · 1
$100K – $10M
Innovation Endeavors

Innovation Endeavors is an early-stage venture fund that invests in founders and supports venture creation through pre-team and pre-idea programs. The firm provides portfolio companies with access to mentors, advisors, and an entrepreneur ecosystem.

Both backed · 1
$1M – $15M
Hyde Park Venture Partners

Hyde Park Venture Partners (HPVP) is an early-stage venture fund investing in AI, software, and tech-enabled services companies connected to the Midwest, Toronto, or the Southeast.

Both backed · 1
$500K – $3M
General Catalyst

General Catalyst is a venture capital firm operating as a partnership focused on company building and accelerating the growth of the businesses it backs.

$30M
Chingona Ventures

Chingona Ventures is an early-stage venture firm backing founders building businesses in rapidly changing, often overlooked growth markets.

$250K – $2M
Ausum Ventures

Ausum Ventures is a venture fund investing at the intersection of blockchain technology and social impact, backing both early-stage startups and cryptoassets.

Firms observed investing alongside Firebrand Ventures, from public investor directories. Shared companies are the overlap with Firebrand Ventures's recorded portfolio.

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