Gen Capital
Venture capitalChicago · Pre-Seed–Series A · 23 people tracked
Investment thesis
The firm invests at the early stage in what it calls 'Gen 1 Products' — original, transformative, and technically disruptive innovations. It prioritizes founders first, seeking deeply technical, humble, and high-integrity entrepreneurs it can support through good and bad times. Drawing on experience leading product and engineering at large hardware and software enterprises, building startups, and running corporate venture capital, the team leverages ties to local technology ecosystems, corporate partners, and universities to help incubate and commercialize new technologies. It targets complex opportunities such as digital and industrial automation, geospatial, manufacturing, autonomous transportation, digital health, distributed ledgers, environmental technology, and education.
Source: firm website, verified Aug 7, 2026.
Team · 23 people
from the firm's website & public directories
What they invest in
from 40 of 56 portfolio companiesAI & Machine Learning ×19Enterprise Software ×15Fintech ×9Hardware ×9SaaS ×9Data & Infrastructure ×7Consumer ×4Developer Tools ×4
HQs:United States×19United Kingdom×1
Investments · 56 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathBy year:2018 · 22017 · 12016 · 12015 · 15 dated
1QBit develops computational tools that enable organizations to reimagine and solve complex, previously intractable problems across industries.
Deep TechEnterprise SoftwareQuantum Computing
PartnerJ Cheng· solo GP
Co-investorsInnovative Solutions CanadaSCB 10X
Develops AI tools for tax and accounting professionals to improve compliance, financial planning, and decision-making capabilities.
AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareFintechLegalTechSan Francisco, US
David Yue(Co-founder)inFinsam Samson(Co-founder)in
PartnerJ Cheng· solo GP
Co-investorsKhosla VenturesAlumni VenturesBasecamp FundCarya Venture PartnersDcode CapitalGeneral Catalyst+3 more
AdExchanger is a media outlet publishing news and analysis about the digital advertising and marketing technology industries, covering topics such as programmatic advertising, publishers, and ad platforms.
AdTechMedia & Entertainment
PartnerJ Cheng· solo GP
Co-investorsAdvance Venture PartnersBlueTree Venture CapitalMK CapitalSilicon Ventures
Amber produces wireless, solar-powered automation kits for grain bin monitoring and fan control that replace traditional cable systems.
AgTechHardwareIoTChicago, US
Lucas Frye(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)Joseph Varikooty(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)
BoardCyril Ebersweiler(Incoming Series Seed Director.)in
PartnerJ Cheng· solo GP
Co-investorsHAXIllinois Ventures1517SOSV
Ambition provides a unified revenue execution platform that integrates coaching, data intelligence, and activation tools for sales teams.
AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareSaaSSales TechChattanooga, US
Travis Truett(Founder/CEO)inJared Houghton(Founder)inBrian Trautschold(Founder/COO)in
BoardClint Smith(Director)Sid Chambless(Director)
PartnerJ Cheng· solo GP
Co-investorsChattanooga Renaissance FundY Combinator
Artisight builds an AI-powered "Smart Hospital" platform using ambient intelligence, two-way audio and video, computer vision, and a multi-sensor network to turn hospital rooms into connected virtual care environments.
AI & Machine LearningDigital HealthHealthtech
PartnerJ Cheng· solo GP
Co-investorsEpsilon Health InvestorsGFT Ventures
PartnerJ Cheng· solo GP
Behavox provides an AI-native compliance platform that unifies surveillance, archiving, policy management and compliance operations for large financial institutions, asset managers, and other regulated enterprises.
AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareFintechLondon, GB
Erkin Adylov(Founder & CEO)inKiryl Trembovolski(Founder)in
PartnerJ Cheng· solo GP
Co-investorsHoxton VenturesIndex VenturesSoftBank Vision FundBlackRockHPS Investment Partners, LLC
Bellabeat develops AI-powered wearable devices and a health intelligence platform designed to help women track wellness metrics, understand hormonal cycles, and receive personalized health insights.
AI & Machine LearningConsumerFemTechHardwareWellness & FitnessSan Francisco, US
Urska Srsen(Founder/CCO)Sandro Mur(Founder)
BoardPeter Warnoe(Director)in
PartnerJ Cheng· solo GP
Co-investorsCherubic VenturesCrunchFundFundersClubPromus VenturesTuesday CapitalY Combinator+3 more
Cape Analytics provides CAPE Property Intelligence, using geospatial imagery analytics and computer vision to generate predictive property risk insights.
AI & Machine LearningInsurTechPropTech
PartnerJ Cheng· solo GP
Co-investorsBrewer Lane VenturesDCVC (Data Collective)In-Q-TelLux CapitalThompson Hutton, LLC10x Founders+1 more
Personal site of Charlie Kemp, a roboticist and cofounder/CTO of Hello Robot Inc., which builds Stretch, a compact, lightweight, force-sensitive mobile manipulator robot.
PartnerJ Cheng· solo GP
Cobalt Robotics provides an AI-powered physical security monitoring platform that connects access control systems, video feeds, and edge devices to automate incident investigation and response for enterprise security operations centers.
AI & Machine LearningCybersecurityEnterprise SoftwarePalo Alto, US
Erik Schluntz(Director)Travis Deyle(Executive Officer, Director)
PartnerJ Cheng· solo GP
Co-investorsComet LabsFlucas VenturesHemisphere Ventures LLCStorm VenturesBloomberg BetaFounders Fund+2 more
CrossLend provides portfolio management and securitisation technology for private debt and digital lending.
Data & InfrastructureFintechSaaS
PartnerJ Cheng· solo GP
Co-investorsEarlybird Venture CapitalMouro CapitalNorthzone
Custom Ink is an e-commerce company that lets customers design and order customized apparel and gear online, offering group ordering with address collection and distribution to one or multiple locations.
ConsumerDirect to ConsumerE-commerce
PartnerJ Cheng· solo GP
Co-investorsAurumBAM VenturesSWaN & Legend Venture PartnersTensility Venture Partners
Darklang is a programming language and development platform designed to build CLIs and cloud applications with minimal complexity.
Cloud ComputingDeveloper Tools
Paul Biggar
PartnerJ Cheng· solo GP
Co-investorsBackstage CapitalNextView Ventures
Deako manufactures smart home electrical switches and controls that enable wireless dimming, scheduling, and automation for residential applications.
ConsumerHardwareIoTSeattle, US
Derek Richardson(Founder/CEO)in
BoardDoug Renert(Director)inBrian Weeks(Director)
PartnerJ Cheng· solo GP
Co-investorsTandem CapitalY Combinator
Digital Asset builds blockchain infrastructure for financial markets, including the Daml smart contract language and the Canton Network, a public layer-one blockchain designed with configurable privacy, controls and composability for capital markets.
Crypto & Web3Enterprise SoftwareFintechNew York, US
Yuval Rooz(Co-Founder & CEO)Eric Saraniecki(Co-Founder & Head of Network Strategy)Shaul Kfir(Co-Founder)
PartnerJ Cheng· solo GP
Co-investorsCoinbase VenturesSmash CapitalDigital Currency GroupMouro CapitalR136 Ventures
DCG is an investment and operating firm focused on the cryptocurrency and blockchain industry, managing over 200 equity investments, 50 fund investments, and 30+ token and digital asset holdings across 25+ countries.
Crypto & Web3Fintech
PartnerJ Cheng· solo GP
Co-investorsCapitalGK2 GlobalNew York Life VenturesOMERS VenturesSGH CapitalSoftbank Latin America Fund+2 more
Dispatch provides a service orchestration platform that connects businesses with independent service providers and customers to deliver coordinated, high-quality service experiences.
AgTechB2B MarketplacesData & InfrastructureEnterprise SoftwareFintechFuture of WorkSaaSNew York City, US
PartnerJ Cheng· solo GP
Co-investorsGrandBanks CapitalKima VenturesLaunchCapitalTechstars
EarthSense develops AI and robotics solutions for agriculture to address sustainability and productivity challenges.
AgTechAI & Machine LearningRobotics
Chinmay Soman(Founder)in
PartnerJ Cheng· solo GP
Co-investorsADB VenturesAg Ventures AllianceAgLaunch AcceleratorAurum Venture PartnersBread And Butter Ventures, LlcIllinois Ventures+2 more
San Francisco, US
San Gunawardana(Executive Officer, Director)inHelen Boniske(Director)Krassimir Piperkov(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardMatt Bigge(Director)in
PartnerJ Cheng· solo GP
Co-investorsCrosslink CapitalBrightCap Investment Advisor ADPromus Ventures
Machine learning software platform that transforms unlabeled data into high-quality AI training data.
PartnerJ Cheng· solo GP
Co-investorsCanvas VenturesCheyenne VenturesK9 VenturesPromus VenturesThe Perkins FundTrinity Ventures
An industrial IoT company enabling secure communications and private exchanges between devices through distributed network technology.
PartnerJ Cheng· solo GP
Co-investorsBackstage CapitalPantera CapitalVTF CapitalZenStone Venture CapitalFINTOP CapitalWillow Growth Partners+1 more
PartnerJ Cheng· solo GP
PartnerJ Cheng· solo GP
Gigster connects companies with a global network of software developers and digital talent to build custom products and develop digital capabilities.
AI & Machine LearningB2B MarketplacesDeveloper ToolsEnterprise SoftwareFuture of WorkSaaSAustin, US
Debo Olaosebikan(Founder)inRoger Dickey(Co-Founder & CEO)Christopher Keene(Chief Executive Officer)Jennifer Pockell Dimas(Chief Marketing Officer)Ellis Ishaya(WW Vice President, Customer Success & Network Operations)Shawn Mohr(Chief Revenue Officer (joined May 2023))
PartnerJ Cheng· solo GP
Co-investorsEmmett ShearFelicis VenturesJustin WaldronMarc BenioffNaval RavikantTransmedia Capital+5 more
Hello Robot builds Stretch, an open-source mobile manipulator robot used by researchers, enterprises, and people with severe mobility impairments in home and workplace settings.
AI & Machine LearningHardwareRobotics
PartnerJ Cheng· solo GP
Aaron Ward(Founder)in
PartnerJ Cheng· solo GP
Co-investorsCrosslink CapitalJam Fund
Iguazio provides an MLOps platform for operationalizing data science, covering the full lifecycle from data engineering through model deployment and monitoring, with a built-in feature store for real-time AI applications.
AI & Machine LearningData & InfrastructureDeveloper Tools
PartnerJ Cheng· solo GP
Co-investorsINcapital VenturesKensington Capital Partners LimitedPlaza VenturesVerizon Ventures
Intel offers AI-focused hardware and software solutions, including processors, data center and cloud AI hardware, AI PCs built on Intel Core Ultra processors, and open source development frameworks and tools.
AI & Machine LearningHardwareSemiconductors
PartnerJ Cheng· solo GP
Co-investorsPrefix Capital
Inventables manufactures and sells desktop CNC machines, parts, and accessories for makers, creative professionals, and small manufacturers.
Advanced ManufacturingCreator EconomyHardwareChicago, US
BoardZach Kaplan(Executive Officer, Director)inPhil Black(Director)inSue Khim(Director)
PartnerJ Cheng· solo GP
Co-investorsCorazon CapitalDundee Venture CapitalGreycroftIllinois VenturesTrue VenturesDraper Associates
June makes a countertop smart oven that combines functions like convection, air frying, grilling, and slow cooking, using an internal HD camera and a "Food ID" recognition system to identify food and auto-select cooking programs.
AI & Machine LearningConsumerHardware
PartnerJ Cheng· solo GP
Co-investorsAurumRSE VenturesRainfall Ventures
Kensho is an AI innovation division within S&P Global that develops generative and agentic AI systems for financial intelligence and enterprise platforms.
AI & Machine LearningData & InfrastructureEnterprise SoftwareFintechCambridge, US
Daniel Nadler(Executive Officer, Director)Bhavesh Dayalji(CEO & S&P Global Chief AI Officer)Peter Kruskall(Executive Officer, Director)
PartnerJ Cheng· solo GP
Co-investorsBreyer CapitalComcast VenturesF-Prime Capital PartnersGoldman SachsXfund
Mapbox operates a developer cloud platform that provides maps, navigation, search, and geospatial data services built from continuously updated location data drawn from telemetry, aerial imagery, computer vision, and user contributions.
AI & Machine LearningData & InfrastructureDeveloper ToolsMobility & TransportationSaaS
PartnerJ Cheng· solo GP
Co-investorsDBL PartnersEnergize CapitalFelicis VenturesFoundryGFR FundPremji Invest+7 more
PartnerJ Cheng· solo GP
Adobe is a multinational software company that develops creative, design, and business productivity applications.
AI & Machine LearningCreator EconomyEnterprise Software
Phil Fernandez(CEO)
PartnerJ Cheng· solo GP
Co-investorsAsia GreenTech FundBattery VenturesCrosslink CapitalEntrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator (ERA)fronttrail Equity Partners GmbHFuel Ventures+15 more
PartnerJ Cheng· solo GP
Co-investorsAnsa CapitalBrighter CapitalGeodesic CapitalGV (Google Ventures)Hemisphere Ventures LLCKrillion Ventures+1 more
PartnerJ Cheng· solo GP
Poppy optimizes ventilation in large commercial buildings by using aerosol tracer testing to measure actual outdoor air rates and adjusting existing damper setpoints to cut HVAC energy waste, with customers paying only from verified utility savings.
CleantechEnergyPropTechSilicon Valley, US
PartnerJ Cheng· solo GP
Co-investorsf7 VenturesPanache VenturesTop Corner Capital
Powerlytics operates a data platform that provides business and financial intelligence, including investable asset data, to support customer decision-making.
Data & InfrastructureEnterprise SoftwareFintech
PartnerJ Cheng· solo GP
Co-investorsBrewer Lane VenturesBroad Street AngelsCurql Collective, LLCTribeca Early Stage Partners
London
Nick Pointon(Executive Officer)Cary Davis(Director)Gerard Buggy(Director)Jason McFall(Executive Officer)Jason du Preez(Executive Officer, Director)Seth Pierrepoint(Director)
PartnerJ Cheng· solo GP
Co-investors24 HaymarketIlluminate FinancialPartech Ventures
Return Path (now part of Validity) offers email deliverability tools that provide real-time inbox placement testing, sender reputation and authentication monitoring, blocklist alerts, and pre-send deliverability checks.
Data & InfrastructureMarketing TechSaaSNew York, US
Matthew Y. Blumberg(Executive Officer, Director)George Bilbrey(Co-Founder & President)SCOTT WEISS(Board Director (Andreessen Horowitz))Anita Absey(Chief Revenue Officer)JOHN T. SINCLAIR(Chief Financial Officer)Lisa T. Mogensen(Executive Officer)
PartnerJ Cheng· solo GP
Co-investorsSapphire VenturesUnion Square Ventures (USV)Costanoa Venture CapitalCostanoa VenturesFoundryVista Equity Partners
Ripple builds blockchain-based financial infrastructure to enable cross-border value transfer and payment solutions for enterprises, governments, and financial institutions.
Crypto & Web3Enterprise SoftwareFintech
Ryan Fugger(Founder)
PartnerJ Cheng· solo GP
Co-investorsAbstract VenturesAurum Venture PartnersCamp One VenturesCastle Island VenturesCore Venture CapitalDigital Currency Group+16 more
RSA provides an AI-powered unified identity platform for organizations to manage authentication, access control, identity governance, and lifecycle management.
AI & Machine LearningCybersecurityEnterprise SoftwareSaaSBurlington, US
PartnerJ Cheng· solo GP
Co-investorsAndreessen HorowitzCiti VenturesIn-Q-Tel
Skyryse is an aviation hardware and software company that builds SkyOS, a universal flight operating system, which powers its first aircraft, the Skyryse One, to simplify aircraft control during standard operations, bad weather, and emergencies.
Deep TechDefense TechHardwareMobility & TransportationRoboticsEl Segundo, US
Mark Groden(Founder & CEO)in
PartnerJ Cheng· solo GP
Co-investorsCantos VenturesCity LightDas & Co.Embedded VenturesFlucas VenturesFontinalis Partners+18 more
PartnerJ Cheng· solo GP
Co-investorsBoeing HorizonX VenturesMillennium New HorizonsMillennium Technology Value Partners
Swift Navigation provides low-cost, high-accuracy GPS and GNSS positioning solutions for autonomous vehicles, mobility applications, and mass-market uses.
Deep TechHardwareMobility & TransportationCalifornia, US
Timothy Harris(CEO and Co-Founder)
PartnerJ Cheng· solo GP
Co-investorsClear VenturesEnerTech CapitalEvolution VenturesFraser McCombs CapitalGlobal BrainKDDI Open Innovation Fund+11 more
Steven Cox(Founder)in
PartnerJ Cheng· solo GP
Co-investorsBaroda VenturesCrosslink CapitalLightbankMoore Venture PartnersSpider CapitalUncork Capital+1 more
The Health Care Blog is an online publication featuring commentary and essays on healthcare delivery, medical practice, health policy, and technology such as electronic health records and AI in medicine.
Digital HealthMedia & Entertainment
PartnerJ Cheng· solo GP
PartnerJ Cheng· solo GP
Revolution Medicines is a clinical-stage oncology company developing targeted cancer therapies based on its tri-complex platform and RAS(ON) inhibitor biology.
BiotechHealthtech
PartnerJ Cheng· solo GP
Co-investorsIllinois VenturesNextech InvestThe Column Group
True Fit provides an AI personal shopping agent and "fit intelligence layer" that gives apparel and footwear shoppers size and fit guidance based on real purchase, return, and keep data.
AI & Machine LearningE-commerceRetail TechWoburn, US
Jessica Murphy(Executive Officer, Director)Joseph Romney Evans(Executive Officer)Romney Evans(Founder)inLen Nannarone(Executive Officer)Charles Badavas(Executive Officer)Jessica Arredondo Murphy(CEO)
PartnerJ Cheng· solo GP
Co-investorsBYU Cougar CapitalCross Creek AdvisorsFounder CollectiveGeorgianIntel CapitalJump Capital+1 more
Tulip provides software for retail sales associates and stores to deliver personalized, omnichannel shopping experiences.
Enterprise SoftwareRetail TechSaaS
Ali Asaria
PartnerJ Cheng· solo GP
Co-investorsArrowroot CapitalCommerce VenturesHigh AlphaRadian CapitalBoxGroupBrevan Howard Digital+4 more
AWS Wickr is an enterprise-grade secure communication platform offering end-to-end encrypted messaging, voice, and video collaboration for organizations handling sensitive information, with compliance certifications including FedRAMP High and DoD IL4/5.
CybersecurityEnterprise SoftwareSaaSChicago, US
Christopher Howell(Executive Officer)Jennifer DeTrani(Executive Officer)Nico Sell(Co-Founder & Chairman)Braden Seely(Executive Officer)York Sell(Executive Officer)Paul Bauerschmidt(Executive Officer)
PartnerJ Cheng· solo GP
Co-investorsAlsop Louie PartnersBreyer CapitalIronGate Capital AdvisorsDolby Family VenturesLytical Ventures
Exits · 1
IPOs and acquisitions across the tracked portfolioKenshoacq. by S&P Global
Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companies
Ripple · cryptonews.net · Jul 18, 2026
Behavox · financialit.net · Jul 17, 2026
Marketo · fortuneindia.com · Jul 17, 2026
Ambition · digitaleurope.org · Jul 14, 2026
Skyryse · techcrunch.com · Jul 5, 2026
Tulip · trysignalbase.com · Jun 16, 2026
Filament · beautymatter.com · Jun 4, 2026
Bellabeat · cybercriminal.com · Oct 13, 2025
Frequently asked questions
- How many investments has Gen Capital made?
- Gen Capital has 56 tracked investments, 2 of which have exited via acquisition or IPO.
- What stage does Gen Capital invest at?
- Gen Capital invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A stages.
- What sectors does Gen Capital focus on?
- Gen Capital focuses on Advanced Manufacturing, AI & Machine Learning, Climate Tech, Crypto & Web3, Deep Tech, Digital Health, EdTech, Future of Work, Hardware, Healthtech, Mobility & Transportation, Robotics, Space Tech.
- Where is Gen Capital located?
- Gen Capital is headquartered in Chicago, US.
- Does Gen Capital lead rounds?
- Gen Capital typically participates in rounds rather than leading them.
- Who does Gen Capital co-invest with?
- Gen Capital most often shares deals with Illinois Ventures, Crosslink Capital, Promus Ventures, among 189 tracked co-investors.
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