Footwork
Venture capitalActively deployingSan Francisco · Seed–Series A · 2 people tracked
Also known as FOOTWORK MANAGEMENT, LLC
Investment thesis
Footwork leads and co-leads Seed and Series A financings in startups exhibiting early signs of product-market fit, writing initial checks of roughly $1M to $15M. The firm concentrates on consumer technology as well as the consumerization of enterprise technology, backing teams building category-defining companies. Its equal partnership pairs world-class investing and operating experience, and the team works daily from its office in San Francisco's Dogpatch neighborhood. Footwork launched in April 2021 with a $175M Fund I and began deploying its $225M Fund II in 2025.
Source: firm website, verified Aug 3, 2026.
Team · 2 people
from the firm's website
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What they invest in
from 6 of 24 portfolio companiesAI & Machine Learning ×4EdTech ×3Enterprise Software ×2SaaS ×2Consumer ×1Data & Infrastructure ×1Developer Tools ×1Direct to Consumer ×1
HQs:United States×4
Investments · 24 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathGPTZero develops AI detection technology to identify artificially generated text, serving over 10 million users across education, publishing, and enterprise sectors.
AI & Machine LearningEdTechEnterprise SoftwareNew York, US
Alexander Cui(Cofounder)Edward Tian(Cofounder)
San Francisco, US
Bharath Patil(Executive Officer, Director)Nikhil Basu Trivedi(Director)Radhika Bharath Patil(Executive Officer, Director)
Board seatNikhil Basu Trivedi· per SEC Form D · $8.1M raise · filed Nov 2021
Literati offers curated children's book subscriptions delivered as book boxes, combining editorial curation with data science to recommend age-appropriate reading.
ConsumerDirect to ConsumerEdTechAustin, US
Jessica Ewing(Executive Officer, Director)Nikhil Basu Trivedi(Director)Cynthia Alexander(Executive Officer)Jess Ewing(Founder)
BoardAydin Senkut(Director)Adam Freed(Director)
Board seatNikhil Basu Trivedi· per SEC Form D · $13M raise · filed Jan 2024
Palo Alto, US
Board seatNikhil Basu TrivediNikhil Trivedi· per SEC Form D · $15M raise · filed May 2024
A platform that converts text into mobile apps, websites, tools, and products using code generation and integrations including GPT-5 and 40+ third-party services.
AI & Machine LearningDeveloper ToolsSaaS
Sherwin Xia(Cofounder)
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.
Frequently asked questions
- What stage does Footwork invest at?
- Footwork invests at the Seed, Series A stages.
- What is Footwork's typical check size?
- Footwork typically writes checks of $1M – $15M.
- What sectors does Footwork focus on?
- Footwork focuses on Consumer, Enterprise Software.
- Where is Footwork located?
- Footwork is headquartered in San Francisco, US.
- Does Footwork lead rounds?
- Yes, Footwork leads investment rounds.
Media · Podcasts & interviews
featuring the teamFootwork’s Secret Sauce | Mike Smith, Nikhil Basu Trivedi
The Peel with Turner Novak · Mike Smith
Mastering the Slope of Learning - Nikhil Basu Trivedi - Footwork - Episode #73
Not Another CEO · Nikhil Basu Trivedi
Footwork VC's Mike Smith | Finding Your Fit in ECommerce
Greylock · Mike Smith · youtube.com
Dean's Speaker Series | Mike Smith, MBA 98, General Partner & Co-Founder, Footwork
Berkeley Haas · Mike Smith
Mike Smith and Nikhil Basu Trivedi – Footwork Ventures (Manager Meetings, EP.12)
Capital Allocators with Ted Seides · Mike Smith
Footwork VC's Mike Smith on Finding the Right Fit in ECommerce
Greylock · Mike Smith
Co-investors · 99
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Felicis Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm that has backed founders for over 20 years, leading or co-leading the majority of its investments across seed and Series A rounds.
CRV (Charles River Ventures) is an early-stage venture capital firm that backs founders at the seed and Series A stages, with a long history of investing since 1970.
Shasta Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm that partners with founders building software, AI, and deep technology companies, providing capital, insight, and operating experience.
Moxxie Ventures is an early-stage venture firm backing founders building software and smart systems that address meaningful problems, investing at the pre-seed and seed stages.
Reach Capital is an early-stage venture firm that partners with founders building companies in learning, health, and work.
Silverton Partners is an early-stage venture capital firm based in Texas that partners with founders long-term, having backed 75+ portfolio companies with 30+ acquisitions and 4 IPOs.
Springdale Ventures is a venture capital firm that partners with founders to accelerate the growth of consumer brands.
Sequoia Capital is a venture capital firm that partners with founders to build technology companies, with a strong current focus on artificial intelligence.
General Catalyst is a venture capital and investment firm that backs founders across industries, with a strong focus on AI-driven transformation, fintech, healthcare, and other sectors.
▶87 more co-investors
GV (Google Ventures)Founders FundLightspeed Venture PartnersCraft VenturesKhosla VenturesTechstarsLong Journey VenturesBenchmarkBain Capital VenturesKleiner PerkinsDCVC (Data Collective)Coatue ManagementKrakenNorwest Venture PartnersGreat Oaks Venture CapitalBalderton CapitalEniac VenturesQuiet CapitalSusa VenturesGoat CapitalFirstMarkOffline VenturesPartech VenturesSlow VenturesNextView VenturesUpHonest CapitalFreestyle CapitalForerunner VenturesSignalFireObvious VenturesCanvas VenturesFlybridge Capital PartnersStride VCBowery CapitalSouth Park CommonsElectric Capital8VCTrinity VenturesBuckley Ventures Management Company LlcMaveron01 AdvisorsThrive CapitalBase10 PartnersDCM VenturesKortschak Investments L.P.Kindred VenturesGeneral PartnershipPrimary Venture PartnersUnusual VenturesCowboy VenturesBetter Tomorrow VenturesAIX Venturesboldstart venturesRenegade PartnersLeft Lane CapitalICONIQ CapitalZetta Venture PartnersTeamworthy VenturesVine VenturesSerena VenturesHeartcore CapitalHighland Capital PartnersThe Finger GroupBlackbird VenturesAllison Pickens VenturesScrum VenturesVitalStage VenturesPresence CapitalAdverb VenturesSpero VenturesEnsemble VCcLabsAstanor VenturesAmity VenturesJigsaw VCSquare Peg CapitalDimension CapitalHuman CapitalVista Venture PartnersPenny Jar Capital VentureCambrian VenturesTwelve BelowStarting LineVMG PartnersEnergize VenturesAlabasterVictress Capital
Firms observed investing alongside Footwork, from public investor directories. Shared companies are the overlap with Footwork's recorded portfolio.
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