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Boulder · Seed–Series A · 4 people tracked
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.
Source: firm website, verified Aug 3, 2026.
Team · 4 people
from public directories
Founder mafia
2 people who came through Firebrand Ventures went on to found or lead other companies.
What they invest in
from 32 of 41 portfolio companiesConsumer ×10SaaS ×10AI & Machine Learning ×6Enterprise Software ×6B2B Marketplaces ×5EdTech ×5Fintech ×5IoT ×4
HQs:United States×27Vietnam×1
Who they back
founder profiles across 18 portfolio companiesFounding team size:solo founder×152 founders×3
Accelerator rootsportfolio companies that came through a program
Investments · 41 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathBy year:2025 · 12024 · 12023 · 22022 · 12021 · 22020 · 22014 · 110 dated
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)Steffany Ayala(Chief Financial Officer)Garrett 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, LlcTechstars
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
FINRA-registered broker-dealer and online exchange for trading secondary real estate investment vehicles.
Overland Park, US
Brian King(Executive Officer, Director)Annemarie Tierney(Executive Officer, Director)Jeremy Smith(Executive Officer, Director)Jeffrey S. Kinney(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardGary Fish(Director)
Board seatJohn Fein· per SEC Form D · $8M raise · filed Oct 2025
Co-investorsKCRise FundVista Equity Partners
Chicago, US
Kathleen Wilson(Director)
Board seatJohn Fein· per SEC Form D · $4.3M raise · filed Feb 2020
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+2 more
Choice Digital operates a payout platform that lets organizations disburse funds to consumers through multiple methods, including prepaid cards, gift cards, PayPal/Venmo, checks, and ACH direct deposits.
Enterprise SoftwareFintechSaaS
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 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
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)Jeff Russell(Director)Jospeh D Geneser(Director)
BoardCraig Ibsen(Director)inJonathon Triest(Director)inAlbert Wenger(Director)in
Co-investorsAndreessen HorowitzHigh AlphaNext Level VenturesUnion Square Ventures (USV)FoundryLudlow Ventures
Edlink provides a unified API that lets edtech companies build and maintain integrations with school and university systems, including major LMS, SIS, and identity providers.
Data & InfrastructureDeveloper ToolsEdTechSan Francisco, US
Co-investorsAllied Venture PartnersPath VenturesWorkshop Venture Partners
Enables edtech software companies to integrate with every major LMS in four weeks or less.
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)Joshua Sakhai(Cofounder)
BoardBenjamin Sun(Director)
Co-investorsKima VenturesTechstars
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 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)
Co-investorsAllied Venture PartnersBrighter CapitalChicago Early Growth Ventures (CEGV)Insta VenturesLofty VenturesSfventures Group LLC+4 more
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)inMatthew Allison(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)David Perdue(Chief Technology Officer)Nathan Walker(Head of Customer Success & Measurement)Justin Papermaster(Head of Revenue & Growth Strategy)
BoardMorgan Flager(Director)in
Co-investorsFloodgateSilverton Partners
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
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 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 Ventures
Localcrate.com publishes curated best-of lists, product reviews, and verified sales and deals across consumer product categories.
ConsumerE-commerceMedia & Entertainment
Co-investorsMatchstick Ventures
Co-investorsGood FriendsOpen Core VenturesStreamlined VenturesTRAC (Third Round Analytics Capital)V1 VCMana Ventures
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 FundAccess Ventures
Notivize.com publishes researched content and overviews about digital marketing trends, covering topics such as data privacy, targeted advertising, audience segmentation, and analytics for marketers.
AdTechMarketing TechMedia & Entertainment
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
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 Ventures
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)
Co-investorsAllied Venture PartnersCentral Texas Angel NetworkForefront VentureMatchstick VenturesMoonshots CapitalNewlin Ventures+1 more
Next-generation urban planning tool that helps cities answer key transportation questions.
Overland Park, US
Nick Bowden(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardDaniel Doctoroff(Director)Scott Brady(Director)
Co-investorsFounders FundInnovation Endeavors
Resurface Labs builds API monitoring and security software that records and analyzes every API call at runtime.
Boulder, 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 PartnersAccess Ventures
RevOps Co-op is a professional community for Revenue Operations (RevOps) practitioners, offering on-demand expertise, best-practice content, online and live courses, networking events, and a conference.
EdTechFuture of WorkSales Tech
Co-investorsAscend Venture CapitalFrontures
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
Co-investorsKokopelli CapitalMatchstick VenturesOssian CapitalRockies Venture ClubTechstarsThe Fund
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)inEric Wimer(Executive Officer, Director)Kristian Zak(Director)
Co-investors7GC & CoBlackhorn VenturesYes VCLightShed VenturesThe Fund
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
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 VenturesAccess Venture Partners
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
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
Videate offers an AI-driven software recording platform (Videate Studio) that generates how-to, training, and product demo videos and automatically re-renders them when a product's UI or workflow changes.
AI & Machine LearningEdTechSaaS
Co-investorsTensility Venture PartnersAiSprouts VC
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 companiesOmelas · reactormag.com · Aug 18, 2026
LODAS Markets · crofirst.com · Jul 30, 2026
Skiptown · lexpress-franchise.com · Jun 30, 2026
Prefix · intelligence360.news · May 27, 2026
Frequently asked questions
- How many investments has Firebrand Ventures made?
- Firebrand Ventures has 36 tracked investments.
- 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, Allied Venture Partners, Matchstick Ventures, among 74 tracked co-investors.
Media · Podcasts & interviews
featuring the teamThe 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 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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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General Catalyst is a venture capital firm operating as a partnership focused on company building and accelerating the growth of the businesses it backs.
Chingona Ventures is an early-stage venture firm backing founders building businesses in rapidly changing, often overlooked growth markets.
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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