Haystack
Venture capitalActively deployingSan Francisco · Pre-Seed–Series A · 3 people tracked
Also known as HAYSTACK MANAGEMENT COMPANY, LLC
Investment thesis
Haystack invests at the initial chapters of software and technology startup formation. Operating as a small team of investors, it partners closely with founders, limited partners, operators, and industry contacts. The firm typically writes initial checks of $1M to $3M and is willing to either lead or participate in rounds.
Source: firm website, verified Aug 3, 2026.
Team · 3 people
from the firm's website & public directories
What they invest in
from 51 of 63 portfolio companiesAI & Machine Learning ×21Enterprise Software ×21SaaS ×18Consumer ×10Fintech ×10Developer Tools ×8Deep Tech ×7Healthtech ×7
HQs:United States×38Canada×1United Kingdom×1
Investments · 63 tracked
founders shown can be your intro path
DoorDash operates a restaurant delivery platform that connects customers with dining establishments across hundreds of cities in North America through a logistics network.
ConsumerE-commerceFoodTechMarketplacesSan Francisco, US
Tony Xu(Founder/CEO)inAndy Fang(Founder)inStanley Tang(Founder)in
Figma is a collaborative design platform that enables teams to create apps, websites, and products through shared design tools integrated with development workflows and AI-powered design assistance.
Developer ToolsSaaSSan Francisco, US
Daniel Rimer(Director)John Lilly(Director)
BoardEvan Wallace(Executive Officer, Director)Dylan Field(Executive Officer, Director)
Instacart operates a marketplace connecting grocery retailers with customers who order food and household items for same-day delivery or in-store pickup, serving millions of households across North America through partnerships with over 350 retailers.
ConsumerE-commerceFoodTechSan Francisco, US
Apoorva Mehta(Founder/Chairman & Founding CEO)inBrandon Leonardo(Founder)inMax Mullen(Founder)in
Anduril Industries is a defense technology company that builds autonomous systems and AI-powered software for the United States and allied militaries.
AI & Machine LearningDeep TechFintechGaming
Applied Intuition builds physical AI software for autonomous and intelligent machines including vehicles, robots, ships, and satellites.
AI & Machine LearningDeep TechDeveloper ToolsRoboticsSunnyvale, US
Qasar Younis(Co-founder and CEO)Peter Ludwig(Co-founder and CTO)
Applied Intuition develops physical AI software for autonomous and intelligent machines, including vehicles, robots, ships, and satellites across industries like automotive, defense, logistics, and manufacturing.
AI & Machine LearningDeep TechEnterprise SoftwareRoboticsSunnyvale, US
Qasar Younis(Co-founder and CEO)Peter Ludwig(Co-founder and CTO)
Canvas Medical develops a customizable and extensible electronic medical record (EMR) platform for ambulatory clinics, featuring developer tools, APIs, and AI capabilities like clinical co-pilots to automate workflows in scheduling, charting, and billing.
AI & Machine LearningDigital HealthHealthtechMedical DevicesSaaS
Andrew Hines(Founder)
Carta is a cloud-based ERP platform for private capital markets that manages cap tables, equity administration, fund management, and valuations for startups, private companies, and venture funds globally.
Enterprise SoftwareFintechSaaS<UNKNOWN>
Henry Ward(Co-founder)Manu Kumar(Co-founder)Charly Kevers(Chief Financial Officer)Jeff Perry(Chief Revenue Officer)Nick Avery(Chief People Officer)Nicole Baer(Chief Marketing Officer)
Castle is a platform for creating, playing, and sharing games built by a community of creators.
ConsumerCreator EconomyGaming
Chariot builds financial infrastructure for donor-advised fund (DAF) giving, connecting donors, nonprofits, and platforms to enable faster, verified charitable donations and payouts.
FintechImpact & Social GoodSaaSNew York City, US
Salomon Serfati(Founder)inAaron Kahane(Founder)inDrew Schneider(Founder)in
Codes Health provides medical record retrieval and case analysis services for plaintiff law firms.
AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareHealthtechLegalTechNew York City, US
AI startup using AI to cut through government red tape.
Emerge Tools provides mobile performance and competitor analysis tools for iOS and Android development teams, enabling measurement of app size, performance regressions, and competitive benchmarking without requiring source code access.
AI & Machine LearningDeveloper ToolsEnterprise SoftwareLos Angeles, US
Enigma develops a platform for collecting, analyzing, and sharing reports of unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) sightings from a global community of observers.
AI & Machine LearningData & InfrastructureDeep TechSector Agnostic
Exa is an AI-powered search API that retrieves high-quality information from the web in real-time, designed for AI agents, developers, and applications that require precise natural-language search capabilities.
AI & Machine LearningData & InfrastructureDeveloper ToolsEnterprise SoftwareSan Francisco, US
William Bryk(co-founder/CEO)inJeffrey Wang(Founder)inWalden Yan(Co-Founder)
Austin, US
Kyle Armbrester(Director)Colin Anawaty(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)Jason Bornhorst(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)
Finley provides software to banks and asset managers that automates debt capital management, due diligence, compliance, and reporting for asset-backed finance, private credit, and structured finance.
Enterprise SoftwareFintechSaaSSan Francisco, US
Jeremy Tsui(Founder)inKevin Suh(Founder)inJosiah Tsui(Founder)inJames Green(Director)
Advanced ManufacturingAI & Machine LearningDefense TechTorrance, US
Christopher Power(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)Katherine Boyle(Director)
BoardDelian Asparouhov(Director)Brandon Reeves(Director)Dayna Grayson(Director)
San Francisco, US
Scott Raney(Director)Robin Vasan(Director)Mitchell Hashimoto(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)Armon Dadgar(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)David McJannet(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardGlenn Solomon(Director)
A leading marketing measurement platform.
Headout operates a global marketplace that connects travelers with local experiences, activities, and attractions across multiple countries.
ConsumerMarketplacesTravel & HospitalityNew York, US
Varun Khona(CEO)Suren Sultania(COO)Rachit Watts(CTO)Vikram Jit Singh(Executive Officer, Director)
LHH Recruitment Solutions provides talent acquisition, staffing, and people analytics services for organizations globally, operating through multiple legacy brands specializing in temporary placement, permanent recruitment, legal hiring, and executive recruitment.
B2B MarketplacesHR TechSan Francisco, US
Mehul Patel(Executive Officer, Director)Timothy Guleri(Director)Douglas Feirstein(Director)Matthew Mickiewicz(Executive Officer, Director)Allan Grant(Executive Officer)Martin Gedalin(Director)
Ironclad is an AI platform for digital contract management that helps companies execute faster deals, reduce contract surprises, and measure value.
AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareLegalTechSaaSSan Francisco, US
Jason Boehmig(Founder/CEO)inJason Springer(Chief Executive Officer)Jeremy Smith(President)Vedavati Verma(Chief Technology Officer)Jason Herman(Chief Product Officer)Steve Loughlin(Director)
Kinetic provides smart injury reduction technology integrated into workers' compensation policies, using wearable devices and AI-powered analytics to reduce workplace injuries and manage claims more effectively.
EdTechFintechHealthtechInsurTechIoTNew York City, US
Haytham Elhawary(Founder & CEO)in
Lively provides AI-powered customer service and support for the benefits administration industry, combining intelligent technology with human representatives to resolve employee and customer inquiries.
AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareFintechHealthtechHR TechSaaSSan Francisco, US
Alex Cyriac(Founder/CEO)inShobin Uralil(Founder/COO)
CoCounsel is an AI-powered platform designed for tax, audit, and accounting professionals that automates document analysis, research, and workflow standardization.
AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareLegalTechPasadena, US
Andrew Gundlach(Director)Steven Chaffee(Executive Officer)Richard Pederson(Executive Officer)Robert Bernstein(Director)Mark Trimmer(Executive Officer)Michael Kellen(Director)
Meadow provides a financial management platform for students and higher education institutions, simplifying enrollment, financial aid, and payment processes to reduce barriers to degree completion.
EdTechFintechSaaS
Alfredo Brillembourg(Co-founder & CEO)inPietro Rea(Co-founder & Chief Technology Officer)inAmy Jenkins(Co-founder)Nathan Stanton(Chief Product Officer)in
Meadow provides software for cannabis dispensaries, offering inventory management, compliance automation, and reporting tools.
Enterprise SoftwareRetail TechSaaSSan Francisco, US
David Hua(Founder/CEO)inRick Harrison(Founder/CTO)inScott A Garman(Founder)Harrison Lee(Founder/Designer, Developer)in
Meadow is a funeral and end-of-life planning service that partners with local venues rather than operating its own facilities, offering transparent pricing and personalized memorial experiences.
ConsumerHealthtechLos Angeles, US
SamEmmaErin
Farcaster is a decentralized social network where users own their identity and can discover people and express themselves.
Crypto & Web3SocialVenice, US
Daniel Romero(Executive Officer, Director)Varun Srinivasan(Executive Officer, Director)
Narvar provides AI-powered software for post-purchase customer experiences, offering delivery estimates, tracking, returns management, and fraud prevention for retailers and e-commerce brands.
AI & Machine LearningE-commerceRetail TechSan Mateo, US
Brian O'Malley(Director)Amit Sharma(Executive Officer, Director)
nTop provides implicit modeling and field-driven design software that integrates physics simulation to accelerate engineering design iterations.
Advanced ManufacturingDeep TechEnterprise SoftwareNew York, US
Gregory Schroy(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)Bradley Rothenberg(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)
Okteto is a developer platform that enables teams to develop cloud-native applications by moving development and preview environments into the cloud.
AI & Machine LearningCloud ComputingData & InfrastructureDeveloper ToolsEnterprise SoftwareSaaSSan Francisco, US
Ramiro Berrelleza(Founder)inPablo Chico de Guzman(Founder/CTO)inRamon Lamana(Founder)inRamiro Antonio Berrelleza Perez(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)
Miami, US
Jenny Larios Berlin(Executive Officer)Sertac Karaman(Director)Ryan Chin(Director)
Paladin provides software and data-driven solutions to help organizations manage cyber risk more affordably and effectively.
CybersecurityInsurTechSaaS
Parabol is a platform for agile teams that provides retrospective meeting tools and team health measurement features, including mood checks, psychological safety assessments, and burnout monitoring integrated into sprint ceremonies.
Enterprise SoftwareFuture of WorkHR TechSaaSBrooklyn, US
Resolve provides a platform that unifies B2B payments, invoicing, and net terms financing in a single embedded solution for business buyers and sellers across ecommerce, marketplaces, and traditional sales channels.
AI & Machine LearningE-commerceEnterprise SoftwareFintechSaaS
ROSE is a health platform focused on understanding and managing the exposome—the cumulative environmental, dietary, and lifestyle factors that impact personal health outcomes.
Digital HealthHealthtechWellness & Fitness
Scope AR develops augmented reality software and solutions for enterprise customers in aerospace, aviation, manufacturing, medical device, semiconductor, and CPG industries to help workers visualize and solve complex tasks.
Advanced ManufacturingAI & Machine LearningConsumerDeep TechEnterprise SoftwareHardwareSaaSSan Francisco, US
Scott Montgomerie(Founder)inDavid Nedohin(Founder/President)in
Suno is an AI music generator that enables users to create complete original songs with vocals, lyrics, and full production from text prompts in under a minute, across all genres.
AI & Machine LearningCreator EconomyMedia & EntertainmentNew York, US
Omar Kiyani(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)Krishna Mohan(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)Eddie Kang(Director)
Frequently asked questions
- What stage does Haystack invest at?
- Haystack invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A stages.
- What is Haystack's typical check size?
- Haystack typically writes checks of $1M – $3M.
- What sectors does Haystack focus on?
- Haystack focuses on AI & Machine Learning, Enterprise Software, SaaS, Sector Agnostic.
- Where is Haystack located?
- Haystack is headquartered in San Francisco, US.
- Does Haystack lead rounds?
- Yes, Haystack leads investment rounds.
Media · Podcasts & interviews
featuring the teamHow Semil Shah Built Haystack - YouTube
The Peel with Turner Novak · Semil Shah
Haystack Partner Semil Shah on the State of Venture and Almost Investing in Coinbase - YouTube
The Logan Bartlett Show · Semil Shah
#43 - Aashay Sanghvi (Investor @ Haystack) Hype cycle of a venture career - YouTube
ConfluenceVC · Aashay Sanghvi
Wide World of News - A Conversation with Semil Shah from Haystack - YouTube
Walking Duck · Semil Shah
Semil Shah, Creator of Haystack Fund | Product Hunt LIVE - YouTube
Product Hunt · Semil Shah
Images
Co-investors · 7
Benchmark is a venture capital firm with offices in San Francisco and Woodside that invests in early-stage startups.
Battery Ventures is a global investment firm that has backed more than 450 companies over its 40-year history, with a team operating as a single global unit and offering focused support services in talent, business development, marketing/communications, and growth/leadership.
Lux Capital is a venture capital firm that backs companies working to turn science fiction into reality, focusing on emerging science and technology.
Inovia Capital is a full-stack venture capital firm based in Canada with a presence in Europe, partnering with founders to build enduring global technology companies.
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Fuel Capital is an early-stage venture firm focused on backing outstanding founding teams across consumer technology, hardware, education, marketplaces, and retail.
Construct Capital is an early-stage venture capital firm backing founders that apply technology to modernize foundational industries such as manufacturing, logistics, defense, and energy.
Alt Capital is a 2023-founded San Francisco firm that has built an unusually large early-stage portfolio (40+ companies) in just two years, functioning as a tiny team that writes $1-25M checks like a much larger institutional fund but maintains direct founder relationships. The firm differentiates itself through founder Jack Altman's operator background (previously built Lattice) and "founder-philosopher-led" approach, quickly becoming a preferred co-investor for top-tier firms like Sequoia and Y Combinator in competitive AI and software rounds.
Firms observed investing alongside Haystack, from public investor directories.
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