Fundraising Fox

K9 Ventures

Palo Alto Β· Pre-Seed–Seed Β· 1 people tracked

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Investment thesis

K9 Ventures believes that exceptional outcomes result from talented founding teams leveraging technology to build products. The firm partners with early-stage companies before they receive institutional capital, aiming to be the first professional investor. Rather than large asset bases, K9 emphasizes reputation and founder relationships as core value drivers. The fund invests in only 4-6 companies annually to maintain deep engagement, takes board seats in led rounds, and provides hands-on support across product development, business strategy, fundraising, and market positioning.

Invests inSector AgnosticPalo Alto

Source: firm website, verified Jul 20, 2026.

Stage
Pre-Seed–Seed
Check
$250K – $750K
HQ
Palo Alto, US
Leads rounds
Leads
Founded
2009
Tracked investments
67

Team Β· 1 people

from the firm's website
Dr. Manu KumarΒ· Chief Firestarterin𝕏

Serial entrepreneur and founder of K9 Ventures who started the firm in 2009 to address the gap in seed-stage funding. Previously founded SneakerLabs (acquired for $100M+) and iMeet (merged with Netspoke and sold to Premiere Conferencing), and conducted doctoral research on computer interfaces at Stanford.

What they invest in

from 10 of 67 portfolio companies

AI & Machine Learning Γ—6Enterprise Software Γ—6SaaS Γ—4Advanced Manufacturing Γ—2Cloud Computing Γ—2Construction Tech Γ—2Developer Tools Γ—2Cybersecurity Γ—1

HQs:United StatesΓ—4

Investments Β· showing 60 of 67

founders shown can be your intro path
ACQUIREDauth0.comin𝕏

Auth0 is an authentication and authorization platform that secures applications, AI agents, and internal tools by providing identity management, single sign-on, multi-factor authentication, and fine-grained access control capabilities.

CybersecurityDeveloper ToolsEnterprise Software

Active AI Meeting Assistantavoma.comin𝕏

Avoma is a meeting intelligence platform that automatically captures, transcribes, and analyzes meetings, delivering summaries and key takeaways to Microsoft Teams channels to keep teams aligned. It integrates with Salesforce and HubSpot for CRM sync and provides AI-powered conversation intelligence and speaker insights.

AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareSaaSSales Tech

Agenda Heroagendahero.com
Aida
Aurora
Auth0
BackType
Baydinbaydin.com𝕏
Blackmoreaurora.techin𝕏

Aurora develops self-driving technology for autonomous vehicles. The company applies its Aurora Driver platform across trucking and logistics applications.

AI & Machine LearningLogistics & Supply ChainMobility & Transportation

Chris Urmson(CEO)Drew BagnellSterling Anderson

CardMunch
Carta
Coin
Compound Eye
Cravecrave.ioin
CrowdFlower
Currantcurrant.com
Daughters of Rosiedaughtersofrosie.com
Dealkitdealkit.com
Dishero
Divebell
Divebell, Inc.divebell.com
DNAnexusdnanexus.comin𝕏
Dropbox

Connect corporate document and web apps to devices on-the-go without changing anything.

Ellohelloello.comin
Enumaenuma.com
Everlaweverlaw.comin𝕏

Everlaw develops advanced software for e-discovery and litigation, helping organizations manage digital evidence and navigate complex legal proceedings. The platform serves law firms and corporate legal teams handling discovery and litigation workflows.

AI & Machine LearningCloud ComputingEnterprise SoftwareLegalTechNew York, US

Figure Eight Inc.figure-eight.com
Fintech platform

Integrated platform that helps you build and manage your full stack of fintech services.

Forethought
Forethought Technologies, Inc.forethought.aiin𝕏

Forethought builds self-improving AI agents for customer service, now integrated into Zendesk's platform. The technology helps businesses automate and improve customer support operations at scale.

AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareSaaS

Gradescopegradescope.com𝕏
Highlight Camhighlightcam.co.nz
HighlightCam
HiHello
Hit Starthitstart.io
IndexTank
Invisible AIinvisible.aiin𝕏

Invisible AI develops computer vision and AI solutions for the manufacturing industry, with expertise in human body and motion tracking derived from autonomous vehicle technology.

Advanced ManufacturingAI & Machine Learning

KidAdmit
Lucidlucidchart.com

Lucidchart is a diagramming and visualization platform that enables teams to create process maps, org charts, technical diagrams, and system architecture visualizations using AI-powered features, data linking, and automation. The platform serves enterprises and teams across various industries who need to document, understand, and optimize processes and systems.

AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareSaaS

LucidChart
Lytro
Nexkeynexkey.comin
Nimble VRnimblevr.com
Occipitalcanvas.ioin

Twindo converts iPhone/iPad scans, floor plans, and point clouds into accurate, editable CAD and BIM files for architectural and construction professionals. The platform uses LiDAR and proprietary 3D scanning technology to digitize physical spaces for design and building workflows.

Construction TechDeep TechSaaSBoulder, US

Occipitaloccipital.comin𝕏
Okta
Osmoplayosmo.com
Otter Tuneottertune.com
OtterTune
Row Zerorowzero.io
Schedule management platform

A brand new way to create, share, and update schedules so that everyone is on the same page.

TapCanvas
tbhtbh.us
Teleo
Teleoteleo.aiin𝕏

Teleo provides a remote command center solution that enables a single operator to supervise multiple machines, improving site productivity and workforce attraction through enhanced safety and comfort, while offering real-time analytics for operational visibility.

Advanced ManufacturingConstruction TechRoboticsSan Francisco, US

Rom ClΓ©ment(Co-Founder and CTO)inVinay Shet(Founder)in

Frequently asked questions

What stage does K9 Ventures invest at?
K9 Ventures invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed stages.
What is K9 Ventures's typical check size?
K9 Ventures typically writes checks of $250K – $750K.
What sectors does K9 Ventures focus on?
K9 Ventures focuses on Sector Agnostic.
Where is K9 Ventures located?
K9 Ventures is headquartered in Palo Alto, US.
Does K9 Ventures lead rounds?
Yes, K9 Ventures leads investment rounds.

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