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Fontinalis Partners

Detroit Β· Pre-Seed–Late Stage Β· 11 people tracked

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Investment thesis

Fontinalis focuses on early-stage investing, typically in pre-seed, seed, and Series A companies. The firm leverages its foundational network and experience in mobility to identify new frontiers and help founders build lasting institutions. The firm is flexible in its participation approach, leading, co-leading, or participating in rounds.

Source: firm website, verified Jul 20, 2026.

Stage
Pre-Seed–Late Stage
HQ
Detroit, US
Leads rounds
Leads
Tracked investments
54

Team Β· 11 people

from the firm's website
Bill FordΒ· Founder Emeritus

A co-founder and long-time automotive industry leader who chairs Ford Motor Company. He helped establish Fontinalis but stepped down from active operational roles in 2023.

Chris CheeverΒ· Founder & Managing Partner

A company builder and co-founder of Fontinalis who works closely with founders on ambitious ventures. He helped establish the firm's investment thesis and focuses on frontier technologies and emerging companies across various industries, bringing deep networks and strategic guidance beyond capital.

Ralph BoothΒ· Founder Emeritus

A co-founder of Fontinalis with decades of experience investing in and building companies in media, telecom, and mobility sectors. He remains active on the firm's investment committee.

Chris StallmanΒ· Managing Partner

An investment professional focused on emerging companies in supply chain, enterprise efficiency, data analytics, and automation within large physical industries. He has led multiple successful portfolio investments and serves on various industry boards.

Dan RatliffΒ· Partner

A long-standing investment professional who focuses on frontier technologies including compute, robotics, and manufacturing processes. He leads several portfolio investments and serves on multiple boards of both public and private companies.

Laura PetterleΒ· Managing Partner & CFO

An executive with extensive experience in financial oversight, governance, and compliance across broadband, telecommunications, and investment firms. She advises Fontinalis portfolio companies on financial, operational, and transaction matters.

Gabe KleinΒ· Venture Partner

A former transportation commissioner for Chicago and Washington DC with extensive government and private sector experience in innovation, technology, and mobility. He advises on cities and technology ventures while co-founding an advisory services firm.

Kyle MessmanΒ· Venture Partner

An experienced CFO of enterprise SaaS companies with successful exits including Telogis to Verizon. He brings financial expertise in high-growth cloud software and currently manages his own early-stage investment firm.

Mark SchulzΒ· Founder Emeritus & Venture Partner

A co-founder with deep expertise in governance and cross-border operations in transportation and manufacturing. He continues as an active venture partner and serves on boards of Fontinalis portfolio companies.

Paul MascarenasΒ· Venture Partner

An experienced automotive executive who served as Chief Technical Officer at Ford Motor Company and led development of major vehicle platforms and advanced engineering initiatives over a 32-year career.

Jake SimonΒ· Associate

An investment professional who identifies and evaluates opportunities in transformative companies, with a focus on next-generation technologies. He conducts due diligence, financial analysis, and actively monitors portfolio operations.

What they invest in

from 17 of 54 portfolio companies

AI & Machine Learning Γ—7Logistics & Supply Chain Γ—6Mobility & Transportation Γ—4Robotics Γ—4SaaS Γ—4Data & Infrastructure Γ—3Deep Tech Γ—3IoT Γ—3

HQs:United StatesΓ—11IsraelΓ—1

Investments Β· 54 tracked

founders shown can be your intro path
AI chips
Anchorpostmates.com

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Automotive Powerautomotivepower.com
Autonomous flightskyryse.com

Skyryse develops aircraft control systems and software for helicopters and aircraft, offering simplified pilot interfaces, autonomous capabilities, and emergency management features. The system serves military, law enforcement, emergency medical, and disaster response operators.

Defense TechHardwareRobotics

AVRLavrl.io
B2B autonomous vehiclesgatik.aiin𝕏

Gatik develops Level 4 autonomous trucks for regional freight and e-commerce delivery, operating commercial fleets for retailers including Walmart, Loblaw, Kroger, and others. The company delivers goods at scale without safety drivers across multiple U.S. and Canadian markets.

AI & Machine LearningLogistics & Supply ChainRoboticsSilicon Valley, US

Gautam Narang(CEO)Arjun Narang(CTO)Apeksha Kumavat(Chief Engineer)

Carputtycarputty.com

Carputty modernizes auto financing through a digital lending platform that offers straightforward, fixed-rate loans for vehicle purchases up to $45,000. The platform serves buyers seeking transparent, flexible financing options with tools to track vehicle value over time and make purchasing decisions with greater clarity.

B2B MarketplacesConsumerFintech

Digital manufacturing at industrial scale
Etched AIetched.ai
Evaevacorp.ai
Freight intelligence
Freight Wavesfreightwaves.comin𝕏

FreightWaves is a news and editorial publication covering logistics, supply chains, and freight transportation sectors.

Data & InfrastructureLogistics & Supply ChainMedia & EntertainmentSaaSChattanooga, US

Craig Fuller(Founder and CEO)

Helm AIhelm.ai

Helm.ai develops AI software for autonomous driving systems that enables automakers and Tier 1 suppliers to develop L2 through L4 autonomous vehicles. The company provides foundation models and AI-based development and validation tools for the automotive industry.

AI & Machine LearningDeep TechMobility & Transportation

Highland Fleetshighlandfleets.comin
Karamba Securitykarambasecurity.com

Karamba Security provides runtime protection and binary hardening software for edge devices, embedded systems, and containerized workloads to prevent AI-enabled attacks and supply chain compromises. The company also offers vulnerability intelligence and compliance automation through its VCode platform for software supply chains.

AI & Machine LearningCybersecurityDefense TechDeveloper ToolsIoTHod Hasharon, IL

LIDAR perception ipoouster.ioin𝕏

Ouster designs and manufactures high-resolution lidar sensors for autonomous machines and smart infrastructure to improve safety and efficiency. The company serves industrial automation, robotics, and autonomous vehicle markets globally.

AI & Machine LearningDeep TechHardwareIoTRoboticsSan Francisco, US

LInkswiftsolar.comin𝕏
lobby-pastinv-turo@2xturo.com

Turo is a peer-to-peer car sharing platform that allows individuals to rent vehicles from local car owners for trips and travel needs.

MarketplacesMobility & Transportation

Location-based social app
Location-based social app ipolife360.comin𝕏

Life360 is a family safety mobile application that enables families and friends to share real-time location information, receive driving safety alerts, and check in with loved ones to maintain peace of mind about their whereabouts and well-being.

ConsumerIoT

Lyft IPOlyft.com𝕏

Lyft is an on-demand ridesharing platform that connects passengers with drivers for various ride types, including standard rides, premium options, and other transportation services. The company also offers membership programs, business solutions, and community-focused services.

MarketplacesMobility & Transportation

Logan Green(Founder)inJohn Zimmer(Founder)inDavid Risher(CEO)in

M&Atelogis.com
Mitra Chemmitrachem.comin
NYSE: UBERuber.comin𝕏

Uber operates a multi-sided platform providing ride-sharing, food delivery, freight logistics, and business fleet management services across various global markets.

Logistics & Supply ChainMarketplacesMobility & TransportationSan Francisco, US

Travis Kalanick(Co-founder & CEO)Garrett Camp(Co-founder)

ParkMobileparkmobile.comin𝕏
RightHookrighthook.io
Semiconductor fab
Sibrossibros.com
Smart Kargosmartkargo.comin
Software for electricianscondoit.ioin

Condoit provides a software platform for electrical contractors to digitize facility data, automate reporting, and identify recurring service revenue opportunities. The platform serves commercial contractors by centralizing electrical documentation, asset tracking, and maintenance records to enable long-term customer relationships.

Construction TechEnterprise SoftwareSaaSBirmingham, US

SPLTsplt.ioin

CleantechDetroit, US

Synovia Solutionssynoviasolutions.com
Tomorrow Iotomorrow.io

Tomorrow.io develops an AI-powered weather intelligence platform that combines satellite technology and proprietary data to help organizations forecast weather impacts and build resilience. The platform serves Fortune 500 companies, humanitarian organizations, and governments across industries including logistics, aviation, and manufacturing.

AI & Machine LearningClimate TechData & InfrastructureEnterprise SoftwareSaaSNew York, US

Shimon Elkabetz(CEO, Co-Founder)Rei Goffer(CSO, Co-Founder)Itai Zlotnik(CCO, Co-Founder)

TransLoctranslocrider.com𝕏
Vecna Roboticsvecnarobotics.comin
Vehoshipveho.comin

Veho operates an end-to-end logistics platform for e-commerce, providing fast and reliable shipping services through a network of warehouses and crowdsourced driver partners. The company serves e-commerce brands and consumers, delivering packages with technology-driven optimization and customer control features.

E-commerceLogistics & Supply ChainBoulder, US

Itamar Zur(Chief Executive Officer, and Co-founder)Fred Cook(Chief Technology Officer, and Co-founder)

Visit Visit Arrow Right Arrow Rightrobust.ai

Robust.AI develops AI and robotics technology with a focus on human-centered design. The company builds expertise in artificial intelligence, robotics systems, and human-robot interaction.

AI & Machine LearningDeep TechLogistics & Supply ChainRoboticsVista, US

Anthony JulesRodney BrooksLeila TakayamaGabrielle Halberg

Vulcan Formsvulcanforms.comin𝕏
Wise Systemswisesystems.comin

Wise Systems provides an AI-driven routing optimization platform for delivery and fleet operations. The system helps dispatchers, drivers, and managers optimize last-mile deliveries to improve driver satisfaction and utilization.

AI & Machine LearningData & InfrastructureLogistics & Supply ChainSaaSCambridge, US

Dr. Sandy PentlandEdgar Blanco

Zendrivezendrive.com

Frequently asked questions

What stage does Fontinalis Partners invest at?
Fontinalis Partners invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A, Late Stage stages.
What sectors does Fontinalis Partners focus on?
Fontinalis Partners focuses on Mobility & Transportation, Sector Agnostic.
Where is Fontinalis Partners located?
Fontinalis Partners is headquartered in Detroit, US.
Does Fontinalis Partners lead rounds?
Yes, Fontinalis Partners leads investment rounds.

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