Matter Venture Partners
Venture capitalActively deployingSilicon Valley · Seed–Series A · 9 people tracked
Also known as MATTER VENTURE PARTNERS, LLC
Investment thesis
Matter Venture Partners believes humanity's biggest innovations will increasingly come from HardTech, an area it argues traditional venture capital, tuned for software, has underserved. The firm positions itself to 'take the hard out of HardTech' by pairing deep operational expertise with relationships across industry leaders, aiming to accelerate the path from innovation to scale. It emphasizes company-building support for HardTech founders, particularly in the semiconductor and broader HardTech ecosystems, and highlights a collaboration with TSMC to help catalyze the next generation of startups.
Source: firm website, verified Aug 3, 2026.
Team · 9 people
from the firm's website & public directoriesWhat they invest in
from 9 of 18 portfolio companiesAI & Machine Learning ×6Hardware ×4Deep Tech ×3Advanced Manufacturing ×2Healthtech ×2Robotics ×2Semiconductors ×2Biotech ×1
HQs:United States×13
Investments · 18 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathDublin, US
Board seatWen Hsieh· per SEC Form D · $40M raise · filed Sep 2021
Ambiq develops ultra-low-power semiconductor solutions and edge AI platforms for IoT and healthcare applications.
AI & Machine LearningIoTSemiconductorsAustin, US
Scott Hanson(Executive Officer, Director)Fumihide Esaka(CEO)Scott Goodwin(Executive Officer)Joseph A. Tautges(Director)Paul Rolls(Executive Officer)Sean Chen(Executive Officer, Director)
Board seatWen Hsieh· per SEC Form D · $111K raise · filed Nov 2022
Fremont, US
Board seatWen Hsieh· per SEC Form D · $202M raise · filed Oct 2022
OpenLight Photonics develops photonic integrated circuits and systems for data center, telecommunications, and sensing applications.
Deep TechHardwareSemiconductors
Adam Carter(Chief Executive Officer)James Dixon(Chief Financial Officer)Volkan Kaman(Vice President, Operations)John Parker(Senior Director, Engineering)Chris Barnard(Senior Director, Test & Software)Mario Pannicia(Director)
Goleta, US
Board seatWen Hsieh· per SEC Form D · $50M raise · filed May 2026
Cesium Astro develops software-defined communications systems for spacecraft and defense networks, including inter-satellite crosslinks, satellite-to-ground downlinks, and 5G non-terrestrial network connectivity across space and terrestrial domains.
Deep TechDefense TechSpace TechAustin, US
Jonathan Hodock(Director)Shey Sabripour(Executive Officer, Director)Daniel Sable(Director)Thomas D?Halluin(Director)Wen Hsieh(Director)
Board seatWen Hsieh· per SEC Form D
Santa Clara, US
Tim Wilson(Director)George Minassian(Executive Officer, Director)Hagop Nazarian(Executive Officer)Wijie Yun(Director)Lei Yang(Director)Subodh Toprani(Director)
Board seatWen Hsieh· per SEC Form D · $5.2M raise · filed Jan 2024
Dexterity develops artificial intelligence and robotics systems that enable machines to perceive, reason, and act autonomously in unstructured physical environments, serving enterprises in logistics and material handling.
AI & Machine LearningLogistics & Supply ChainRoboticsRedwood City, US
Samir Menon(Founder & CEO)
Board seatWen Hsieh· per SEC Form D · $50M raise · filed Jun 2026
Saratoga, US
Board seatWen Hsieh· per SEC Form D · $200M raise · filed Mar 2026
Long Beach, US
Matthew Mejia(Executive Officer)David Wrenn(Executive Officer, Director)Jonathan Yaney(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardKerry Propper(Director)Antonio Ruiz-Gimenez(Director)
Board seatWen Hsieh· per SEC Form D · $32M raise · filed Aug 2025
Biostate AI is a biotech company that develops AI-driven solutions for the life sciences and medical research sectors.
AI & Machine LearningBiotechDigital HealthHouston, US
Timothy Kassis(Co-Founder & Head of AI)Eva Miao(Executive Officer)Ashwin Gopinath(Executive Officer, Director)David Zhang(Executive Officer, Director)David Y. Zhang(Executive Officer, Director)
LightForce develops generative braces using artificial intelligence and 3D printing technology to create individualized orthodontic appliances tailored to each patient.
Advanced ManufacturingAI & Machine LearningHardwareHealthtechMedical DevicesBoston, US
Path Robotics develops AI-powered robotic welding systems that adapt in real-time to part variations, serving manufacturers in heavy industry, critical infrastructure, defense, and energy sectors.
Advanced ManufacturingAI & Machine LearningRoboticsColumbus, US
Andy Lonsberry(Founder & CEO)Alex Lonsberry(Founder)inNick Solaro(Director)
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 Matter Venture Partners invest at?
- Matter Venture Partners invests at the Seed, Series A stages.
- What sectors does Matter Venture Partners focus on?
- Matter Venture Partners focuses on Advanced Manufacturing, AI & Machine Learning, Deep Tech, Energy, Hardware, Robotics, Semiconductors.
- Where is Matter Venture Partners located?
- Matter Venture Partners is headquartered in Silicon Valley, US.
Media · Podcasts & interviews
featuring the teamMel Tang - Founding Operating Partner & CFO at Matter Venture Partners + Former CFO at Ring Doorbell
AAIM High Podcast · Mel Tang
Mel Tang - Matter Venture Partners
LA Venture Podcast · Mel Tang
Images
Co-investors · 14
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▶2 more co-investors
Firms observed investing alongside Matter Venture Partners, from public investor directories. Shared companies are the overlap with Matter Venture Partners's recorded portfolio.
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