New Stack Ventures
Venture capitalActively deployingChicago · Pre-Seed–Seed · 5 people tracked
Also known as New Stack · NEW STACK, LLC
Investment thesis
New Stack Ventures invests in 'outsider' founders—those who didn't attend Stanford, work at Big Tech, or live in the Bay Area—arguing that most venture capital concentrates on Silicon Valley insiders. The firm leads or co-leads angel, pre-seed, and seed rounds with checks of $500K to $1.5M, backing companies from pre-revenue through early commercialization. Focus areas include vertical AI, fintech, healthcare, and industrials (manufacturing, energy, construction, defense, and supply chain). Leveraging a decade of relationships built through The Full Ratchet podcast, the firm supports portfolio companies with introductions to top-tier VCs when they reach Series A.
Source: firm website, verified Aug 7, 2026.
Team · 5 people
from the firm's website
What they invest in
from 38 of 76 portfolio companiesSaaS ×17AI & Machine Learning ×15Enterprise Software ×7Fintech ×6Hardware ×6Healthtech ×6InsurTech ×5Biotech ×3
HQs:United States×28Canada×2Switzerland×1
Investments · 76 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathGladstone, US
David Brown(Director)Nick Moran(Director)Emily Applegarth(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)
Board seatNick Moran· per SEC Form D · $2.3M raise · filed May 2023
RetailAware provides sensor-based analytics and insights for retail brands to measure in-store product display performance, including foot traffic, dwell time, and stock levels.
Data & InfrastructureRetail TechOmaha, US
Keith Fix(Executive Officer, Director)MICHAEL GILKES(Director)Michael Andrew Dierks(Director)
Board seatNick Moran· per SEC Form D
Chicago, US
Alex Segura(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardLaura Spiekerman(Director)
Board seatNick Moran· per SEC Form D
Sware provides a software validation platform that uses AI assistance to help GxP-regulated life sciences organizations manage continuous software updates while remaining audit-ready.
AI & Machine LearningHealthtechSaaSChelsea, US
KOSAL KEO(Director)WILLIAM R. COWEN(Director)MATTHEW NICKLIN(Director)NICK MORAN(Director)ELLEN REILLY(Executive Officer, Director)JENNIFER GOLDSMITH(Director)
Board seatNick Moran· per SEC Form D
Chicago, US
Andrew Acs(Executive Officer, Director)Phil Schwarz(Director)Konrad Waliszewski(Executive Officer, Director)Nick Moran(Director)
Board seatNick Moran· per SEC Form D · $2.1M raise · filed Apr 2019
Thesis develops reusable, steerable microballoons for routine access to the stratosphere (40,000–130,000 feet), enabling persistent surveillance, communications relay, and atmospheric research for defense, intelligence, commercial, and scientific applications.
AgTechClimate TechData & InfrastructureDeep TechDefense TechInsurTechSpace TechDenver, US
Andrew Antonio(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)Jared Leidich(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)Nick Moran(Director)Jared Liedich(Executive Officer)
BoardAlan Eustace(Director)Darren Liccardo(Director)
Board seatNick Moran· per SEC Form D
Aspinity designs analog processing chips that enable near-zero power AI systems using its AnalogML technology.
AI & Machine LearningHardwareSemiconductorsMorgantown, US
Richard Hegberg(CEO)inBrandon Rumberg(Executive Officer)inThomas P. Beckley(Director)Thomas Doyle(Executive Officer, Director)Ned Renzi(Director)
Portfolio company that closed an oversubscribed round.
Clora is a curated talent marketplace connecting biotech and pharmaceutical companies with specialized life sciences consultants to build flexible, scalable teams across the drug development lifecycle.
B2B MarketplacesBiotechHR TechCambridge, US
Rahul Chaturvedi(Founder and CEO)John Melas-Kyriazi(Director)
Cybrary provides online cybersecurity training courses, certification prep programs, and hands-on labs for individuals and enterprise teams.
CybersecurityEdTechSaaS
Klee Kleber(Executive Officer, Director)Ron Gula(Director)Jeremy Gehring(Executive Officer, Director)Jim Curry(Director)Ryan J. Cory(Executive Officer, Director)Ralph, Jr. P. Sita(Executive Officer, Director)
DraftAid uses AI to automate the conversion of 3D CAD models into 2D manufacturing drawings for engineers.
Advanced ManufacturingAI & Machine LearningDeveloper ToolsEnterprise SoftwareToronto, CA
Mohammed Al-arnawoot(Founder)inAbdullah Elqabbany(Founder)inTahsin Rahman(Founder)in
Equipifi provides flexible payment infrastructure that enables banks and credit unions to offer real-time purchasing power to their customers under their own brand.
Enterprise SoftwareFintechSaaSScottsdale, US
Bryce Deeney(Founder)Colleen Shannon(Executive Officer)
BoardGregg Scoresby(Director)Mary Keegan(Director)Jeff Liesendahl(Director)Lou Alexander(Director)
Gather Voices is a video content platform that lets organizations collect, edit, caption, and publish user-generated video from members, event attendees, and communities.
Marketing TechMedia & EntertainmentSaaSChicago, US
F. Bruce Cohen(Director)Michael Hoffman(Executive Officer, Director)
Hologram provides global IoT connectivity solutions that simplify device management and reduce costs for businesses deploying internet-connected devices across multiple countries.
HardwareIoTSaaSChicago, US
Benjamin Forgan(Executive Officer, Director)Patrick Wilbur(Executive Officer, Director)Anne Rosen(Executive Officer)
BoardNick Solaro(Director)
Keebler is an AI-powered risk adjustment platform designed to identify and document revenue opportunities for health plans and providers through automated HCC coding support.
AI & Machine LearningHealthtech
Kestrel Labs develops software that translates building code into machine-executable logic and runs compliance checks directly within BIM models, integrated into tools like Autodesk Revit.
AI & Machine LearningConstruction TechDeveloper ToolsPropTechSaaSDenver, US
Miami-based company that raised a $1.2M pre-seed round led by New Stack Ventures.
Parkland, US
Joseph Roos(Executive Officer)David Rogove(Executive Officer, Director)
Miami-based company that received a $1.2M pre-seed investment led by New Stack Ventures.
Manifold provides a platform for freight carriers and brokers to identify, bid on, and automate quoting for spot freight loads from customer portals and email.
AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareLogistics & Supply ChainSeattle, US
Mechasys develops an XR Projector for the construction industry, providing robotics and advanced layout solutions to improve field productivity and worker efficiency on construction sites.
Construction TechHardwareRoboticsMontreal, CA
Oscar Health is a healthcare technology company that builds and operates a health insurance platform, offering individual, small group, and Medicare Advantage plans to members across the United States.
Digital HealthHealthtechInsurTechNew York, US
Mario Schlosser(Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer)
PhoodSolutions uses computer vision and data analytics to help food service operators optimize menu performance, labor management, and reduce food waste and costs.
AI & Machine LearningClimate TechFintechFoodTechBoston, US
Quorus provides custom portfolio management solutions for asset managers and financial advisors, combining tax-efficient strategies and automation to optimize after-tax returns on actively managed portfolios.
FintechSaaSWestport, US
Thomas Skrobe(Director)Scott Shumway(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)inJohn Hill(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)in
Rainwalk provides pet insurance policies with expanded coverage options and enhanced value for cat and dog owners.
InsurTechColumbia, US
Joshua Snead(Executive Officer, Director)
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
Adaviv provides AI tools for specialty-crop agriculture that turn field observations into real-time recommendations, helping farm teams optimize labor, inputs, and treatments while reducing waste, crop losses, and rejections.
AgTechAI & Machine LearningSaaS
Light Frame builds cloud-native, API-first core banking and portfolio management technology for private banks and wealth managers.
Cloud ComputingFintechSaaS
Snug offers a white-label estate planning platform that lets organizations and their agents sell branded estate plans, including Trusts, Wills, Powers of Attorney, and Health Care Directives compliant in all 50 US states.
FintechLegalTechSaaS
Flamingo is a resident engagement and retention platform for apartment communities, offering a resident app and event tools to handle tasks like package management, amenity bookings, communication, and community events.
PropTechSaaS
Binsr Inspect is an AI-powered home inspection platform that turns an inspector's voice notes and photos into organized reports, and handles booking, scheduling, payments, agreements, and report building in one place.
AI & Machine LearningPropTechSaaS
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 New Stack Ventures invest at?
- New Stack Ventures invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed stages.
- What is New Stack Ventures's typical check size?
- New Stack Ventures typically writes checks of $500K – $1.5M.
- What sectors does New Stack Ventures focus on?
- New Stack Ventures focuses on Advanced Manufacturing, AI & Machine Learning, Construction Tech, Defense Tech, Energy, Fintech, Healthtech, Logistics & Supply Chain.
- Where is New Stack Ventures located?
- New Stack Ventures is headquartered in Chicago, US.
- Does New Stack Ventures lead rounds?
- Yes, New Stack Ventures leads investment rounds.
Media · Podcasts & interviews
featuring the teamInvesting in Outsiders: How New Stack Ventures Backs Unconventional Founders | With Nick Moran
George Khalife · Nick Moran
Ugly Startups, Beautiful Returns | Nick Moran, New Stack Ventures - Unlocking Moves Ep. 49
HireBetter · Nick Moran
Purple Ponderings : Episode 26 Interview with Nick Moran @ New Stack Ventures
Insurance Nerds · Nick Moran
Nick Moran, General Partner of New Stack Ventures, on Fireside Chicago, April 28, 2020
Fireside: Chicago · Nick Moran
Nick Moran of New Stack Ventures and The Full Ratchet - LegalTechLIVE - Episode 085
NickJRishwain · Nick Moran
Nick Moran of New Stack Ventures - Bootstrapping In America | tastylive
Nick Moran · tastylive.com
Images
Co-investors · 14
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Left Lane Capital is an investment firm focused on hyper-growth consumer and technology businesses that have enduring customer relationships, applying a data-driven, specialized approach to help companies scale.
SOSV is a deep tech venture capital firm that makes first-check pre-seed investments and follow-on rounds in startups focused on human and planetary health, providing lab space and hands-on support at its US locations.
Work-Bench is a New York City-based seed-stage venture fund backing early-stage founders building enterprise, SaaS, and infrastructure software, with hands-on go-to-market support.
Newfund Capital is an early-stage venture capital firm operating from Silicon Valley and Paris, backing entrepreneurs and helping startups scale through networking and growth support.
Everywhere Ventures is an early-stage venture firm that backs founders globally, supported by a community of founders and operators as LPs.
Revolution is an investment firm that has backed founders, communities, and ideas for over two decades, spanning venture capital, entrepreneurship advocacy, and real estate and hospitality investments.
Nexus Venture Partners invests in early and early growth stage companies operating in India and the United States across multiple sectors. The firm was founded by entrepreneurs with experience building companies.
500 Global (formerly 500 Startups) is a venture capital firm that invests in startups worldwide and runs programs for founders and investors.
DNX Ventures is a venture capital firm investing in early-stage B2B software startups, with its Japan Fund targeting seed and Series A companies in Japan and across Asia.
AMINO Capital is a global venture capital firm based in Palo Alto that invests around the theme of data moat and network effects, focusing on big data, machine learning, and exceptional products.
Brewer Lane Ventures is an early-stage venture firm backing founders reinventing financial services, insurance, and healthcare, including how consumers and companies engage with these services and how risk is assessed and managed.
▶2 more co-investors
Firms observed investing alongside New Stack Ventures, from public investor directories. Shared companies are the overlap with New Stack Ventures's recorded portfolio.
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