Fundraising Fox

Gradient Ventures

Venture capitalActively deploying

San Francisco · Seed–Series B · 16 people tracked

Also known as Gradient · GRDNT LLC

Fox Verdict
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Investment thesis

Gradient is a seed fund designed specifically for founders in AI. The firm positions itself as more than a capital provider, acting as builders, mentors, and champions who work side-by-side with founders through both challenges and successes. It emphasizes founder-centric, collaborative, transparent, and bold values, aiming to build lasting relationships grounded in trust. Gradient favors disruptive ideas with the potential to redefine industries and backs companies at the seed stage across the AI landscape.

Source: firm website, verified Aug 27, 2026.

Stage
Seed–Series B
Check
$100K – $10M
HQ
San Francisco, California, US
Leads rounds
Leads
Instruments
Equity
Founded
2017
Last 12 months
103 investments
AUM
$220M
VC funds
1
Tracked investments
292

Team · 16 people

from the firm's website & public directories
Emerson Kirk· Principalin

Founder mafia

3 people who came through Gradient Ventures went on to found or lead other companies.

What they invest in

from 258 of 292 portfolio companies

AI & Machine Learning ×143Enterprise Software ×110SaaS ×110Fintech ×56Developer Tools ×47Data & Infrastructure ×45Cybersecurity ×22Cloud Computing ×19

HQs:United States×151Germany×4Mexico×4Canada×2United Kingdom×2Argentina×1

Who they back

founder profiles across 95 portfolio companies
38%
solo founders
36 of 95 mapped founding teams
48%
repeat founders
of 115 founders with career history
~3 yrs
old at investment
median across 25 dated deals

Founding team size:solo founder×362 founders×453 founders×124+ founders×2

Where their founders studiedfrom 102 founders with education data

Massachusetts Institute of Technology ×5Carnegie Mellon University ×3Emory University ×3Harvard Business School ×3HEC Paris ×3Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile ×3Stanford University ×3Technical University of Munich ×3

Where their founders worked beforefrom 115 founders with career history

Goldman Sachs ×6Google ×4Meta ×4Uber ×4Instacart ×3Intel Corporation ×3Netlify ×3Revolut ×3

Accelerator rootsportfolio companies that came through a program

Y Combinator ×33

7 founders hold a PhD · 12 hold an MBA (of 114 with degree data)

Investments · 292 tracked

founders shown can be your intro path

By year:2026 · 102025 · 1022024 · 112023 · 122022 · 32021 · 92020 · 32019 · 12018 · 22017 · 22015 · 2157 dated

Cylanceblackberry.cominNYSE: BBOct 2025 · $6M

BlackBerry operates two divisions focused on security and innovation: one providing end-to-end encryption and zero-trust identity control for governments and critical industries, and another offering QNX embedded software and real-time operating systems used in over 275 million vehicles worldwide.

CybersecurityEnterprise SoftwareIoTIrvine, US

Stuart McClure(Executive Officer, Director)Jeffrey Ishmael(Executive Officer)

BoardPatrick Heim(Director)Mark Hatfield(Director)Alex Doll(Director)Alexander Weiss(Director)

Co-investorsCrosslink CapitalKhosla VenturesNew Enterprise Associates (NEA)Omega Venture PartnersRembrandt Venture PartnersRiverwood Capital+1 more

Synapticssynaptics.cominNASDAQ: SYNAOct 2025 · $6M

Synaptics develops AI and sensing hardware platforms for edge computing applications, including smart cameras and interface technologies.

AI & Machine LearningHardwareIoTSemiconductors

Carver MeadFederico Faggin

Co-investorsCrosslink CapitalOak Investment PartnersBlumberg Capital

Ducklyduckly.comin𝕏Aug 2017✓ verifiedDefunct

Duckly is an IDE plugin enabling real-time code collaboration and communication among developers using different integrated development environments.

Developer ToolsEnterprise SoftwareSan Francisco, US

Dragos Fotescu(Founder)inJohn Carnes Boggan(Executive Officer)Lee James Roberts(Executive Officer)

Co-investorsNotation CapitalY CombinatorGeneral Catalyst

Emotion Machineemotionmachine.com✓ verified

Emotion Machine is a conversational AI company building voice models, AI character infrastructure, and phone agents across the conversational AI stack.

AI & Machine LearningDeep TechSaaSSan Francisco, US

Ege Ozgirin(Co-founder)Emre Sarbak(Co-founder)

Co-investorsTreeo VC

Hostiehostie.aiin✓ verified

Hostie provides a voice AI phone system for restaurants that answers calls, texts, and emails to handle reservations, private dining, takeout orders, and guest questions.

AI & Machine LearningFoodTechSaaSSan Francisco, US

Randall(Founder)Randall Hom(Co-Founder & CEO)Brendan Wood(Co-Founder & CTO)in

Co-investorsObvious VenturesScribble VenturesBehind Genius VenturesBurst Capital

Humatahumata.aiin𝕏✓ verified

Humata is an AI assistant for documents that reads uploaded PDFs and other files to answer questions, summarize content, and compare documents, with cited links back to source material.

AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareSaaS

Cyrus Khajvandi(Founder)inDan Rasmuson(Founder)in

Co-investorsNZVCEarl Grey Capital

Lastmile Ailastmileai.devin𝕏✓ verified

A company building an AI-powered "cognitive computer" that maintains context about a person, team, and organization, connects to authorized tools and services, and orchestrates tasks between humans and AI.

AI & Machine LearningDeep TechEnterprise SoftwareNew York City, US

Andrew Hoh(Founder)Sarmad Qadri(Founder)in

Co-investorsExceptional CapitalAME Cloud VenturesBlack Angel Group10x Founders

Meanwhile Bitcoin backed insurance Moneymeanwhile.bmin𝕏✓ verified

Meanwhile is a licensed Bitcoin-denominated life insurance company whose policies collect premiums and pay death benefits in BTC, with premiums that grow at a guaranteed rate in Bitcoin terms and the option to take Bitcoin loans against policy value.

Crypto & Web3FintechInsurTechHamilton, BM

Tia Beckmann(Chief Financial Officer)

Co-investorsFramework VenturesFulgur VenturesSam Altman6th Man VenturesHaun VenturesMouro Capital+5 more

Venta AIgetventa.aiin✓ verified

Venta AI develops AI employees for B2B sales teams in Europe, focusing on customer identification and lead generation to replace inefficient outreach methods.

AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareSales TechMunich, DE

Lucas Spreiter(Founder)inStefan Reuther(Founder)in

Co-investorsY CombinatorGaingelsOrange Collective

Clarify AIclarify.aiin𝕏Jul 2025

Clarify builds a modern CRM platform that consolidates customer data from multiple sources, automates workflows, and provides insights to drive business growth.

AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareSaaSSales TechDover, US

Patrick Thompson(Co-Founder / CEO)inOndrej Hrebicek(Co-Founder / CTO)inAustin Hay(Executive Officer, Director)Pranav Priyush(CEO)

BoardMatt Garratt(Director)

Board seatZachary Bratun-Glennon· per SEC Form D

Co-investorsFikaInvariantes FundMadrona Venture GroupUS Venture PartnersEssence Venture CapitalInsight Partners

Contractbookcontractbook.comin𝕏Jun 2021SEC filingmedium confidence

Contractbook provides a platform for automated contract management using machine-readable data formats and AI/machine-learning capabilities.

AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareLegalTechSaaSCopenhagen

Niels Martin Brochner(Executive Officer, Director)Lars Floe Nielson(Director)Jaroslaw Owczarek(Executive Officer, Director)

BoardMary D'Onofrio(Director)in

Board seatDarian Shirazi· per SEC Form D · $30M raise · filed Jun 2021

Co-investorsBessemer Venture PartnersbyFoundersTiger Global Management

Fondeadorafondeadora.comin𝕏Mar 2021

Fondeadora is a financial platform in Mexico offering banking accounts and services for individuals, freelancers, and small businesses.

FintechMexico City, MX

Norman Müller(Founder)inRene Serrano(Founder)inNorman Muller Vergara(Executive Officer, Director)Rene Omar Serrano Ocampo(Executive Officer, Director)René Serrano(Founder)in

Board seatDarian Shirazi· per SEC Form D

Co-investorsHi VenturesIGNIAY CombinatorZeno Ventures

Gigsgigs.comin𝕏Dec 2024

Gigs provides a platform (Gigs OS) that enables tech brands and other companies to launch and operate their own mobile services without managing telecom infrastructure directly.

AI & Machine LearningDeveloper ToolsEnterprise SoftwareFintechSaaSSan Francisco, US

Hermann Frank(Co-founder, CEO)inDennis Bauer(Founder)in

Board seatDarian Shirazi· per SEC Form D

Co-investorsCrane Venture PartnersSpeedinvestStandard CapitalY CombinatorBoxGroupRibbit Capital

Lambda, Inc./DEFeb 2024SEC filingmedium confidence

San Jose, US

Ryan Sanders(Director)Robert Youngjohns(Director)

BoardGaetano Crupi(Director)in

Board seatZach Bratun-Glennon· per SEC Form D · $320M raise · filed Feb 2024

Co-investorsPrime Movers Lab

LINKUP LABS, INC.Mar 2026SEC filingmedium confidence

New York, US

Philippe Mizrahi(Executive Officer, Director)Denis Charrier(Executive Officer, Director)Boris Toledano(Executive Officer, Director)

Board seatDarian Shirazi· per SEC Form D · $10M raise · filed Mar 2026

MainStreet Work, Inc.Jan 2022SEC filingmedium confidence

San Jose, US

Daniel Lindquist(Executive Officer, Director)Douglas Ludlow(Executive Officer, Director)Deok Keun Ahn(Executive Officer)Daniel Griffin(Executive Officer)

BoardChristopher Farmer(Director)

Board seatDarian Shirazi· per SEC Form D · $2M raise · filed Jan 2022

Openlyopenly.comin𝕏Dec 2020

Openly provides home insurance products and services for independent agents and consumers through a technology-enabled platform.

FintechInsurTechBoston, US

Ty Harris(Founder)inMatt WielbutMatt Wielbut 🦄(Founder)in

Board seatZachary Bratun-Glennon· per SEC Form D

Co-investorsAdvance Venture PartnersClocktower VenturesDrive CapitalMTECH CAPITALObvious VenturesTechstars+1 more

Plannuhplannuh.comJul 2021

Boston, US

Peter Mahoney(Executive Officer, Director)Dan Faulkner(Director)

BoardRudina Seseri(Director)in

Board seatZach Bratun-Glennon· per SEC Form D

Co-investorsBantam GroupGlasswing Ventures

Range Finance, Inc.Feb 2026SEC filingmedium confidence

Range is a McLean, Virginia AI-powered wealth management platform combining financial planning software with in-house advisers.

Mclean, US

Fahad Hassan(Executive Officer, Director)David Cusatis(Executive Officer, Director)

BoardSimon Wu(Director)Haroon Mokhtarzada(Director)inAlexander Niehenke(Director)in

Board seatDarian Shirazi· per SEC Form D · $63.5M raise · filed Feb 2026

Co-investorsArdent VentureScale Venture Partners

Splinespline.designin𝕏Jul 2024 · $15M

Spline is a web-based collaborative design platform for creating and shipping production-ready interactive 2D and 3D experiences to web, iOS, and Android.

AI & Machine LearningCreator EconomyDeveloper ToolsEnterprise SoftwareFuture of WorkReston, US

Alejandro Leon(Founder)in

BoardCaroline Huskey(Director)Daniel Moskowitz(Director)in

Board seatDarian Shirazi· per SEC Form D

Co-investorsChapter OneFirestreak VenturesLeonis CapitalNXTPThird Point VenturesY Combinator+2 more

Wise Systemswisesystems.comin𝕏Oct 2021

Wise Systems provides an AI-driven routing optimization platform for delivery and fleet operations.

AI & Machine LearningData & InfrastructureLogistics & Supply ChainMobility & TransportationSaaSCambridge, US

Charles Sims II(Executive Officer, Director)Ali Kamil(Executive Officer, Director)Layla Shaikley(Executive Officer, Director)Jemel Derbali(Executive Officer, Director)Chazz Sims(Founder)in

BoardDr. Sandy Pentland

Board seatZach Bratun-Glennon· per SEC Form D

Co-investorsBantam GroupFontinalis PartnersGutbrain VenturesTechstarsThe E14 FundTrucks VC+4 more

Young Alfredyoungalfred.comOct 2019

Philadelphia, US

Jason Christiansen(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)David Stasie(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)

Board seatZach Bratun-Glennon· per SEC Form D

Co-investorsDorm RoomEntrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator (ERA)

Abstractabstract.securityinOct 2025 · $6M

Abstract has built an AI-powered composable SIEM platform that enables organizations to detect threats, route security data to any destination without vendor lock-in, and migrate between different SIEM solutions.

AI & Machine LearningCybersecurityEnterprise SoftwareSaaS

Aaron Shelmire(Founder)

Co-investorsCheyenne VenturesCrosslink CapitalRally Ventures Management, LlcBlumberg CapitalMunich Re Ventures

Aescapeaescape.coinNov 2022 · $6M

Aescape provides on-demand personalized massage and bodywork services through an app-based booking platform, allowing customers to customize session duration, pressure level, music, and muscle group focus.

B2B MarketplacesConsumerWellness & FitnessNew York, US

Eric Litman(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)John Lema(Director)

BoardJonathan Shulkin(Director)Eric Chin(Director)in

Co-investorsAlleyCorpAlumni VenturesBasecamp FundCrosslink CapitalFJ LabsAlley Robotics Ventures+2 more

Air Space Intelligenceairspace-intelligence.comin𝕏

Airspace Intelligence develops predictive software for mission-critical operations in defense and infrastructure sectors, serving large airlines and US government agencies.

AI & Machine LearningDeep TechDefense TechLogistics & Supply ChainBoston, US

Phillip Buckendorf(CEO)inLucas Kukielka(VP of Product Engineering (co-founder))in

Co-investorsAndreessen HorowitzNEW VISTA CAPITALOperator CollectiveRenegade PartnersSpark CapitalVillage Global+3 more

Airvineairvine.comin𝕏Oct 2025 · $6M

Airvine develops a 60 GHz wireless system for indoor use that delivers high-speed connectivity while matching the reliability of traditional cabling with faster deployment and lower costs.

Cloud ComputingHardware

BoardHatch Graham

Co-investorsCrosslink CapitalLauder PartnersBlumberg Capital

Aizonaizon.aiinOct 2025 · $6M

Aizon provides data solutions that help organizations analyze historical information and make informed decisions about future outcomes.

AI & Machine LearningBiotechData & InfrastructureSaaS

Pep Gubauin

Co-investors500 GlobalAtlantic Bridge VenturesCrosslink CapitalFundersClubLa FamigliaUncork Capital+4 more

Akua Incakua-inc.comin𝕏Oct 2025 · $6M

AKUA develops cybersecurity solutions and IoT/supply chain SaaS platforms, serving enterprise customers in government defense and commercial markets.

Cloud ComputingCybersecurityIoTLogistics & Supply ChainSaaS

Neil Furukawa(Founder and CEO)Rich Fiasconaro(VP of Operations)

Co-investorsCrosslink CapitalCSC UpshotMomenta VenturesBlumberg Capital

Algorithmiaalgorithmia.cominAcquired

Algorithmia offers an enterprise AI platform for developing, deploying, and governing machine learning models and AI applications, with tooling tailored to roles across data science, engineering, DevOps, and IT teams.

AI & Machine LearningDeveloper ToolsEnterprise SoftwareSeattle, US

Kenneth F. Daniel(Executive Officer, Director)Diego M. Oppenheimer(Executive Officer, Director)in

BoardTimothy Porter(Director)inAnna Patterson(Director)in

Co-investorsMadrona Venture GroupOUP (Osage University Partners)Norwest Venture PartnersWork-Bench

Aliroquantumaliroquantum.comin𝕏Oct 2025 · $6M

Aliro provides a full-stack software platform for quantum networking, including simulation, orchestration, and operating system solutions that enable enterprises and government agencies to plan and deploy quantum networks for applications like QPU interconnection and quantum-secured communications.

CybersecurityDeep TechEnterprise SoftwareQuantum ComputingBoston, US

Michael Cubeddu(Founder)in

Co-investorsBantam GroupCrosslink CapitalFlybridge Capital PartnersGutbrain VenturesiGlobe PartnersSamsung Next+1 more

AllyOallyo.comAcquired

Palo Alto-based maker of end-to-end conversational AI recruiting automation software, acquired by HireVue in October 2020.

Co-investorsBlue CollectiveCervinSapphire Ventures

Amplifygetamplifylife.comOct 2025 · $6M

Amplify builds the infrastructure and distribution platform for life insurance, connecting consumers, agents, platforms, and carriers through a unified ecosystem.

FintechInsurTech

Co-investorsCrosslink CapitalMoneta VCBlumberg CapitalMunich Re Ventures

Anchorgetanchor.coin𝕏Oct 2025 · $6M

Anchor builds compliance and security solutions for financial services, providing guardrails and protective measures to help customers maintain regulatory compliance.

CybersecurityFintechLagos, NG

Segun Adeyemi(Founder)inGBEKELOLUWA OLUFOTEBI(Founder)inOlamide Sobowale(Founder)in

Co-investorsY CombinatorDigital Currency GroupRebel FundBlumberg CapitalTeam Ignite Ventures

Anchor Browseranchorbrowser.ioin𝕏Oct 2025 · $6M

Anchor Browser provides tools that connect AI agents to web applications for browser-based automation.

AI & Machine LearningDeveloper ToolsEnterprise Software

Co-investorsBlumberg CapitalMaccabee Ventures

Anviluseanvil.comin

Anvil provides software for collecting and sharing information through digital workflows, replacing manual paperwork-based processes.

Developer ToolsEnterprise SoftwareSaaS

Mang-Git Ng(Founder, CEO)in

Co-investorsFinancial Venture StudioMenlo VenturesRestive VenturesCiti VenturesScript Capital

Anyteamanyteam.comin𝕏Oct 2025 · $6M

AnyTeam builds AI-powered sales assistant software that handles research, preparation, follow-up, and administrative tasks for B2B enterprise sales teams, freeing reps to focus on relationship-building and closing deals.

AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareSaaSSales TechRedwood City, US

AjayinJeffinJeff Yoshimura(Founder)Ajay Arora(Founder)in

Co-investorsCrosslink CapitalSignalFireBlumberg CapitalFoundersX VenturesY Combinator

Aquainvestwithaqua.comin𝕏

Aqua provides a platform that automates the management of alternative investment assets for investors.

FintechNew York City, US

Rohan Marwaha(Founder)inDev Patel(Founder)in

Co-investorsY CombinatorArthur Ventures

Arga Labsargalabs.comin𝕏

Arga Labs provides testing infrastructure for AI agents and applications that need to interact with multiple third-party services.

AI & Machine LearningCloud ComputingDeveloper ToolsEnterprise SoftwareSan Francisco, US

Phillip Li(Founder)inAkira Tong(Founder)in

Co-investorsScribble VenturesY Combinator

Argo Spaceargospace.comin𝕏Oct 2025 · $6M

Argospace provides launch and transportation services for spacecraft and satellites beyond low Earth orbit (LEO), including cislunar and interplanetary missions.

Deep TechHardwareSpace TechEl Segundo, US

Ryan Carlisle(Founder)inKirby Carlisle(Founder)inRobert Carlisle(Founder)in

Co-investorsAIR CapitalCreative Destruction Lab (CDL)Crosslink CapitalHelios CapitalTFX CapitalType One Ventures+1 more

Armoryarmory.ioin𝕏Oct 2025 · $6Macquired by Harness

Armory provides continuous deployment software that helps development teams automate and manage application releases across their infrastructure at scale, with built-in safety and security controls.

Data & InfrastructureDeveloper ToolsEnterprise SoftwareSan Francisco, US

Isaac Mosquera(Founder/CTO)inBen Mappen(Founder/CPO)in

Co-investorsBase Venture Management, Inc.Crosslink CapitalInsight PartnersJavelin Venture PartnersMango CapitalMeron Capital+5 more

ArroFiarrofinance.cominOct 2025 · $6M

Arro is a fintech platform that offers a credit-building credit card with cash back rewards and an AI-powered money coach to help users build credit, earn financial rewards, and improve their financial habits.

Fintech

Co-investorsBAM VenturesBullpen CapitalCrosslink CapitalD3VCHawke VenturesWestern Technology Investment+3 more

Arrowarrowhq.comin𝕏

Arrow provides AI-powered tools for revenue cycle management (RCM) teams in healthcare to automate billing tasks and improve collections efficiency.

AI & Machine LearningHealthtechSaaS

Roshan Patel(CEO & Co-Founder)inYash Joshi(CTO & Co-Founder)in

Co-investors2048 VenturesAfore CapitalMuse CapitalNVP CapitalOssian CapitalFounders Fund+3 more

Arrowsarrows.toin

Arrows provides personalized digital sales rooms that live inside a company's CRM, using call notes and CRM data plus AI to generate buyer-facing action plans, follow-ups, and engagement tracking.

AI & Machine LearningSaaSSales TechLos Angeles, US

Daniel Zarick(Founder)

Co-investorsHubSpot VenturesGTMfund

Arva AIarva.aiin𝕏Jan 2025 · $3M

Arva provides financial crime compliance software for compliance teams in financial services, helping them work more efficiently on detection and monitoring tasks.

AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareFintechNew York City, US

Rhim Shah(Founder/CEO)inOli Wales(Founder/CTO)in

Co-investorsY Combinator468 CapitalAmino CapitalOlive Tree Capital

Astroastro.buildin𝕏

Astro is an open-source web framework for building content-driven websites such as marketing sites, blogs, and e-commerce stores, using island architecture to render components on the server and ship minimal JavaScript.

Cloud ComputingDeveloper ToolsSaaS

Co-investorsAndreessen HorowitzLOWERCARBON

AutoFiautofi.comin𝕏Oct 2025 · $6M

AutoFi provides a sales platform for automotive retailers that integrates financing, incentives, and deal structuring into a unified AI-powered online and in-store experience.

AI & Machine LearningFintechRetail TechSaaSSan Francisco, US

Michael Mignano(Founder & CEO)Jonathan Palan(Executive Officer, Director)Kevin Singerman(Executive Officer, Director)inMandar Gokhalein

BoardDavid Silverman(Director)in

Co-investors500 GlobalBMW i VenturesCrosslink CapitalEniac VenturesFJ LabsLerer Hippeau+7 more

Axleaxle.insurein𝕏Apr 2023

Axle provides instant access to insurance data for fleet managers, asset lenders, and gig platforms, allowing them to verify coverage and reduce risk in seconds rather than hours.

AI & Machine LearningDeveloper ToolsEnterprise SoftwareFintechInsurTechNew York City, US

Cameron Duncan(Co-Founder & CEO)inNihar Parikh(Co-founder & CTO)inArmaan Sikand(Founder)in

Co-investorsBLH Venture Partners, LLCRebel FundY CombinatorAccelEnergize CapitalPICUS CAPITAL

Back
Backerbacker.comin𝕏Oct 2025 · $6M

This page is an educational guide explaining 529 college investment plans, tax-advantaged savings accounts for education expenses.

EdTechFintech

Abby ChaoArie Willem de JonghEmmanuel Medina GarciaJordan Lee

Co-investors500 GlobalCrosslink CapitalExpansion Venture CapitalUlu VenturesBlumberg CapitalFoundersX Ventures+1 more

Backhqbackhq.comin𝕏

Back provides an employee service platform that lets staff find answers, contact HR or other internal teams, and complete common workplace tasks directly within Slack, Microsoft Teams, or Google Chat.

Future of WorkHR TechSaaS

Co-investorsPoint Nine

Backlinebackline.aiinJan 2025 · $9M

Backline develops an autonomous vulnerability remediation platform that automatically detects, prioritizes, and fixes security vulnerabilities at enterprise scale.

AI & Machine LearningCybersecurityEnterprise Software

Eran J. Leib(Founder)in

Co-investorsEvolution Equity PartnersStageOne Ventures

BackOpsbackops.aiin

BackOps is an AI-native operating system for supply chain and logistics that captures internal workflows and deploys agents to automate tasks across legacy systems, vendor portals, email, and spreadsheets.

AI & Machine LearningLogistics & Supply ChainSaaSSan Francisco, US

Henry Ou(Founder)inSean McCarthy(Founder)Chang Hao Ou(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)

Co-investorsConstruct CapitalTheory Ventures

Banknovobanknovo.comin𝕏Oct 2025 · $6M

Banknovo offers merchant cash advances to small business owners for short-term working capital needs such as equipment, supplies, and operational expenses.

Fintech

Co-investorsCrosslink CapitalBlumberg CapitalMAGIC FundRainfall VenturesRed Sea VenturesRRE Ventures+1 more

Barndoorbarndoor.aiin𝕏Oct 2025 · $6M

Barndoor provides a control plane for agentic AI that enables enterprises to manage how AI is used, shared, and scaled across their organization while maintaining security and governance.

AI & Machine LearningCloud ComputingDeveloper ToolsEnterprise Software

Co-investors8-Bit CapitalCrosslink CapitalBlumberg CapitalFoundersX VenturesPreface VenturesY Combinator

Benepassgetbenepass.comin𝕏

Benepass provides flexible benefits platforms that enable employers to offer personalized, choice-based employee benefits aligned with company values and DEI initiatives.

Enterprise SoftwareFintechHR TechSaaSNew York City, US

Jaclyn Chen(Founder)inMark Fischer(Founder)inKabir Soorya(Founder)in

BoardMatthew Alfieri(Director)inStephanie Choo(Director)Mohammad Islam(Director)

Co-investorsAmino CapitalCentana Growth PartnersClocktower VenturesMVP VenturesThreshold VenturesY Combinator+3 more

BetterUpbetterup.comin𝕏Oct 2025 · $6M

BetterUp provides an AI-powered coaching and professional development platform that helps organizations support employee growth and wellbeing.

AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareHR TechSaaSAustin, US

Alexi Robichaux(Co-founder and CEO)inEduardo Medina(Co-founder and COO)

Co-investorsAfore CapitalAurumCarnrite VenturesConvergeCrosslink CapitalEvio VC+16 more

Black Ducksynopsys.comin𝕏Oct 2025 · $6M

Synopsys provides design automation tools and intellectual property for semiconductor and electronics companies to develop smart, connected devices.

Developer ToolsEnterprise SoftwareSemiconductorsBurlington, US

Doug Levin(Founder)Aart de Geus(Founder)inStephen N. Gregorio(Executive Officer)Philip B. Granof(Executive Officer)William NMN Ledingham(Executive Officer)Norman L. Shipley(Executive Officer, Director)

Co-investorsAsset Management CompanyBrightspark VenturesCrosslink CapitalDataTribeDifferential VenturesF-Prime Capital+10 more

Bleacher Reportbleacherreport.com𝕏Oct 2025 · $6M

Bleacher Report is a sports media platform that provides news, highlights, analysis, and coverage of major professional and college sports leagues including the NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, and WNBA.

Media & Entertainment

Co-investorsCrosslink CapitalOak Investment PartnersUncork CapitalBlumberg Capital

Bluefields Specialtybluefieldsspecialty.cominOct 2025 · $6M

Bluefields is a technology-first insurance platform that builds specialized insurance programs for underserved market niches, combining loss control, program structuring, and proprietary data to accelerate time-to-market and improve underwriting outcomes.

InsurTech

Co-investorsAmerican Family VenturesCrosslink CapitalEqual VenturesBlumberg Capital

Botkeeperbotkeeper.comin𝕏

Botkeeper provides an AI-driven bookkeeping platform that automates manual accounting tasks and layers in dedicated accountant services, for accounting firms and their business clients.

AI & Machine LearningFintechSaaSBoston, US

Enrico Palmerino(Founder & Chief Executive Officer)Angelina Palmerino(Co-Founder & Chief Product Officer)Sallie Halsey(Chief Operations Officer)Jessica Veiga(Chief Revenue Officer)Travis Cherry(Chief Technology Officer)Erica Cramer(Senior Vice President, Client Services)

Co-investorsPillar VCPoint72 VenturesCorrelation VenturesHigh AlphaPeak State Ventures

Browse all 292 investments with full details →

92 more tracked companies

PennyPentahoPersonal CapitalPhilPine Park HealthPlayvesperPopSQLPostmatesPower to FlyPRENAVPreparedPrimerPullRequestQuiltQuokkaR2Rad AIRangeRangeRcomRebagrebitRecReclaimRecurateRedactableReltioRespanRevopsROERoe AIRoe AIRoiRoofrRootlyRunhappy INCUBATED Marketing New YorkSabaSapiomSaplingSapling.aiScottySecureframeSendSend AISilverstreamSkipper HospitalitySonaSonaSpadeSpectralSpotterSpringtailStack AIStairwellStepStreamSyncariSyrupTamarackTelegraphTellaThe CoterieTheysaidTokuTokutread.ioTypingDNAUbiquity6Unit 21unitQVanishidVaultplatformVecticeVennVera HealthVerahealthVersedVijilVocodeVungleWeflowWritWriterWriter AIX-Bow SystemsYaguaraYardstikyearendYuma AIZivian HealthZooskZowie

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.

Exits · 7

IPOs and acquisitions across the tracked portfolio

CylanceNYSE: BBSynapticsNASDAQ: SYNAArmoryacq. by HarnessBraceacq. by StavvyGreatjonesacq. by MyndKlaraacq. by ModMedMeetfloacq. by Moen (Fortune Brands)

Portfolio news

latest coverage across their companies

Frequently asked questions

How many investments has Gradient Ventures made?
Gradient Ventures has 140 tracked investments, 11 of which have exited via acquisition or IPO, including 20 dated in the last 24 months.
What stage does Gradient Ventures invest at?
Gradient Ventures invests at the Seed, Series A, Series B stages.
What is Gradient Ventures's typical check size?
Gradient Ventures typically writes checks of $100K – $10M.
What sectors does Gradient Ventures focus on?
Gradient Ventures focuses on AI & Machine Learning.
Where is Gradient Ventures located?
Gradient Ventures is headquartered in San Francisco, US.
Does Gradient Ventures lead rounds?
Yes, Gradient Ventures leads investment rounds.
Who does Gradient Ventures co-invest with?
Gradient Ventures most often shares deals with Y Combinator, Andreessen Horowitz, Accel, among 284 tracked co-investors.

From the blog

visit blog ↗

Gradient has recently written about the emerging frontier of AI model capabilities, with open-source models closing gaps in procedural tasks but lagging in domain expertise; enterprise AI infrastructure for maintaining data trust through semantic meaning; and the infrastructure challenges of backing up and recovering AI agent-driven business operations. AI summary

Media · Podcasts & interviews

featuring the team

Andrew Brackin, Partner at Gradient Ventures, on AI Startups & HealthTech

Grace Gong · Andrew Brackin

How Gradient Ventures is Shaping the AI Startup Landscape with Eylul Kayin

TechCrunch · Eylul Kayin

What Makes Mark Zuckerberg So Special? - Darian Shirazi, General Partner at Gradient Ventures

Miguel Armaza · Darian Shirazi

The Immigrant Mindset Created the World’s Most Techie Family - Darian Shirazi, Gradient Ventures

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Co-investors · 233

Tiger Global Management

Tiger Global Management operates public equity strategies (long/short, long-focused and crossover) and a private equity business investing in early- through late-stage growth companies across new and existing industries.

$1M – $100M
Andreessen Horowitz

Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) is a venture capital firm founded in 2009 by Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz, known for pioneering the platform model with a large team of operators supporting founders across stages.

$500K – $50M
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
New Enterprise Associates (NEA)

New Enterprise Associates (NEA) is a venture capital firm that invests in and provides long-term support to founders building new companies.

$200K – $40M
Accel

Accel is a venture capital firm that partners with exceptional teams, positioning itself as a first partner to founders globally.

$1.6M – $70M
Uncork Capital

Uncork Capital (formerly SoftTech VC) is a seed-stage venture firm that invests early in founders, with a focus on AI-native companies building leverage and scale.

$3M – $5M
Khosla Ventures

Khosla Ventures is a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage companies focused on technology, mobile, and clean energy sectors, including biotechnology applications. The firm provides capital and strategic support to entrepreneurs developing breakthrough technologies across multiple markets.

$5K – $50M
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.

$100K – $10M
Kleiner Perkins

Kleiner Perkins is a venture capital firm that backs founders across technology and life sciences, from early stage through growth.

$500K – $15M
FundersClub

FundersClub is an online venture capital firm and startup investing platform that gives accredited investors access to vetted early-stage startups from Silicon Valley and beyond.

$250K – $5M
Lightspeed Venture Partners

Lightspeed is a global venture capital firm that has spent over two decades backing innovative companies as an early and first investor.

$1.7M – $87M
221 more co-investors

Insight PartnersBoxGroupSpark CapitalLerer HippeauThreshold VenturesScribble VenturesFlucas VenturesBasecamp FundGV (Google Ventures)SV AngelFirst Round CapitalMenlo VenturesCoatue ManagementNorwest Venture PartnersBattery VenturesSignalFireAfore CapitalAcrew CapitalBullpen CapitalNext47Earl Grey CapitalXYZ Venture CapitalKickstartExpaFounders FundCraft VenturesLong Journey VenturesFounder CollectiveFelicis VenturesBain Capital VenturesUnion Square Ventures (USV)FirstMark CapitalMayfield FundLiquid VenturesOak HC/FTInnovation EndeavorsMadrona Venture GroupObvious VenturesFlybridge Capital PartnersPICUS CAPITALAmplify PartnersF-Prime CapitalSoma Capital8VCAbstract VenturesRidge VenturesBase10 Partners2048 VenturesVibe CapitalSpeedinvestStandard CapitalCherry VenturesEnergy Impact PartnersMouro CapitalThird Point VenturesConstruct CapitalRadical VenturesTrucks VCAmino CapitalBootstrapLabsNXTPDesigner FundGrand VenturesSequoia CapitalIndex VenturesNotable CapitalBenchmarkEverywhere VenturesAtomicoGreat Oaks Venture CapitalBalderton CapitalSusa VenturesHCVCBling CapitalAME Cloud VenturesForerunner VenturesCanvas VenturesSoftBank Vision FundAdditionInovia CapitalBowery CapitalQED InvestorsRibbit CapitalPoint NineParadigmCreandumTwo Sigma VenturesMatrixInitialized CapitalWinklevoss CapitalNorthzoneCoinbase VenturesMS&AD VenturesLeft Lane CapitalLobby CapitalCommerce VenturesA.Capital VenturesContraryStageOne VenturesBlueRun VenturesGolden VenturesPresence CapitalParade VenturesXfundArtis Ventures1984 Ventures Management, LlcS32MassMutual VenturesDefy PartnersGlasswing VenturesJump CapitalCredo VenturesDeciensKindred CapitalAdvance Venture PartnersbyFoundersCathay InnovationBackend CapitalFlying Fish VenturesHorizonSTILLMARKIA Capital GroupRestive VenturesXRCValo VenturesGreylock PartnersRedpoint VenturesUberFoundation CapitalKrakenSound VenturesPlug and Play VenturesStreamlined VenturesPartech VenturesPioneerC2 InvestmentsSciFi VCHeadlineStellar CapitalFloodgateResolute VenturesElectric CapitalRevolutionLowercase CapitalNot Boring Capital01 AdvisorsOperator LPPear VCWEEKENDIntel CapitalKortschak Investments L.P.Bitkraft Esports VenturesAccompliceBlockchain CapitalHustle FundUncorrelated VenturesTribe Capital FirstlookChemistryAwesome People VenturesFootworkHV CapitalAIX VenturesSaga VenturesWorklife VenturesMoxxie VenturesICONIQ CapitalBedrockVine VenturesHeartcore CapitalFreigeist CapitalUpside PartnershipTusk Venture PartnersShrug CapitalAllison Pickens VenturesExpansive VenturesSarona VenturesEXPONENT FOUNDERS CAPITALfirstminute capitalS28 CapitalConvictionMorado Venture PartnersKaszek VenturesCanaryThink+ Ventures Management, LlcAdjacent Ventures LlcIncite.orgCherubic VenturesMiramar Venture PartnersSunshine LakeEngineering CapitalAccenture VenturesCultivation CapitalMagma PartnersRuna CapitalSlack FundHarlem Capital PartnersFirsthandVCJerusalem Venture Partners (JVP)Granite AsiaGPO FundBitwise Asset ManagementRackhouse Venture CapitalAudaciousLDV CapitalMHS CapitalMPG FundAI21 LabsKaya FoundersNewMont VenturesUnderline VenturesFlashpoint Venture CapitalCrossbeam Venture PartnersFlash VenturesSupercharge.vcOpenCapital.vcAux21 CapitalEveningLongJump VenturesMatrix Capital ManagementChenavari Investment ManagersWocstar Capital

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

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