Orthogonal Thinker Inc.
operating company · company profileSeed · 2 people tracked
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Investment thesis
Orthogonal Thinker Inc. (Orthogonal Ventures) is a seed-stage fund that has invested in thirteen Y Combinator companies over a two-year period. Its checks average about $200,000, with reserves set aside for follow-on rounds, and it invests internationally.
Team · 2 people
from public directoriesDavid Nikzad is the founder of Orthogonal Thinker Inc. He is a serial entrepreneur and investor whose interests include clean air, sustainable energy, nutrition and products aimed at extending life and treating disease.
What they invest in
from 9 of 9 portfolio companiesEnterprise Software ×5SaaS ×5Consumer ×4E-commerce ×3Marketing Tech ×2Retail Tech ×2AdTech ×1AI & Machine Learning ×1
HQs:United States×8Canada×1
Investments · 9 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathCalifornia Dreamin makes cannabis-infused beverages as an alternative to alcoholic drinks.
ConsumerFoodTechSacramento, US
Amy Bishop(Founder)inPeter Bishop(Founder)in
Co-investorsY CombinatorBabel VenturesBits x BitesCherubic VenturesHanmi HealthcareVenture Investment Associates+1 more
A mobile marketplace that allows users to sell consumer electronics locally with guaranteed pricing and upfront payment, completing transactions within 97 minutes.
ConsumerE-commerceSan Francisco, US
Ryan Mickle(Founder)inEd McManus(CTO)in
Co-investorsY CombinatorCollaborative FundFundersClubGreylock PartnersIndex VenturesLowercase Capital+6 more
GazeHawk provides eye tracking technology for businesses to improve usability and user experience, making eye tracking accessible to companies of all sizes through webcam-based solutions.
AdTechAI & Machine LearningData & InfrastructureDeveloper ToolsEnterprise SoftwareSaaSSan Francisco, US
Brian Krausz(Founder)inJoe Gershenson(Founder)in
Co-investorsY Combinator500 GlobalQuest Venture PartnersAgrolimen Ventures
Meadow provides software for cannabis dispensaries, offering inventory management, compliance automation, and reporting tools.
Enterprise SoftwareRetail TechSaaSSan Francisco, US
David Hua(CEO)inRick Harrison(CTO)inScott A Garman(Founder)inHarrison Lee(Designer, Developer)inAlfredo Brillembourg(Founder)Amy Jenkins(Founder)
Co-investorsGaingelsPioneerSoma CapitalY CombinatorAlleyCorpArcadian Capital+17 more
Quartzy provides a platform for lab management and research resource optimization, serving life scientists, lab managers, and academic institutions.
BiotechDeep TechE-commerceEnterprise SoftwareHealthtechSaaSSan Francisco, US
Jayant Kulkarni(CEO)inAdam Regelmann(CPO)inAjoy Sojan(CTO)sylvie.dao@quartzy.comTristan Pemble(Director of Engineering)Courtney Bogaard(Director of HR)
Co-investorsA.Capital VenturesBling CapitalLerer HippeauMultiplier CapitalSilicon BadiaTeamworthy Ventures+11 more
RideJoy is a marketplace connecting equestrian riders and horse owners with verified accommodations including boarding, layovers, RV parking, cabins, and camping across the United States.
ConsumerMarketplacesMobility & TransportationTravel & HospitalitySan Francisco, US
Kalvin Wang(CEO)inJason Shen(Founder)inRandy Pang(Founder)inChristine Yen(iOS Contractor)in
Co-investorsY CombinatorFounder CollectiveFreestyle CapitalLerer HippeauSV Angel
Talkable provides a referral marketing platform that enables companies to acquire customers through rewards programs that incentivize their existing customer base.
E-commerceEnterprise SoftwareMarketing TechMedia & EntertainmentRetail TechSaaSSan Francisco, US
Allan Grant(CTO)inAlyona KobzarenkoinBradley KaminDominic CoryellJeff Yee(CTO)Nori Yoshidain
Co-investors500 GlobalGoAhead VenturesK5 VenturesY CombinatorAccelerator VenturesAgrolimen Ventures+5 more
TapToLearn develops game-based educational apps covering subjects like math, spelling, grammar, geography, and science for kindergarten through middle school students.
ConsumerEdTechGamingSan Francisco, US
Roby Thomas John(CEO)inAvinash Pandey(Founder)inAamir Poonawalla(Founder)inPriyanthy Aprain Srampical(Founder)Sreejit Jayanthan(Founder)in
Co-investorsEniac VenturesImagine K12Y CombinatorACE & CompanyBase Venture Management, Inc.BEENEXT+3 more
Vidyard provides an AI-powered video messaging and asynchronous communications platform designed for go-to-market teams including sales and marketing professionals.
Enterprise SoftwareMarketing TechSaaSSales TechKitchener, CA
Michael Litt(CEO)inDevon Galloway(Founder)inEdward Wu(CTO)Daryna Kulya(Product Manager)inSarika Lamont(Vice President, Head of People and Culture)Melissa Turner(Talent Acquisition Manager)
Co-investorsBattery VenturesBessemer Venture PartnersInovia CapitalOMERS VenturesUncork CapitalY Combinator+6 more
Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companiesVidyard · clay.com · May 20, 2026
Quartzy · finsmes.com · Apr 16, 2026
Frequently asked questions
- How many investments has Orthogonal Thinker Inc. made?
- Orthogonal Thinker Inc. has 9 tracked investments, 2 of which have exited.
- What stage does Orthogonal Thinker Inc. invest at?
- Orthogonal Thinker Inc. invests at the Seed stage.
- What sectors does Orthogonal Thinker Inc. focus on?
- Orthogonal Thinker Inc. focuses on Consumer, Enterprise Software, Healthtech.
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