🦊/Investors

Piva Capital

Venture capital

San Francisco · Seed–Growth · 17 people tracked

Find your way into Piva Capital

3,965 people in our graph share verified history with the Piva Capital team — schools, employers, funds. One of them is your warm intro.

Tobi Cokerunlockedknows Maria Buitron · together at Kauffman Fellows (overlapped)
knows the team · via Goldman Sachs
×2knows the team · via University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
knows the team · via Stanford University
×2knows the team · via McKinsey & Company
knows the team · via TPG
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Investment thesis

Piva Capital takes a thesis-driven approach, seeking out companies offering foundational, cross-industry technological solutions. It favors platforms with significant deployment value and scalable sales potential addressing large markets. The firm concentrates on companies from early to growth stage that are at commercial inflection points, and it looks for leadership teams with strong entrepreneurial drive.

Source: firm website, verified Aug 3, 2026.

Stage
Seed–Growth
HQ
San Francisco, California, US
Leads rounds
Follows
Instruments
Equity
Founded
2019
Last 12 months
1 investment
AUM
$250M
Tracked investments
24
IPOs
1

Team · 17 people

from the firm's website & public directories
Sushil Purohit· Venture Partnerin
Elizabeth Ann Lowery· Senior Advisor
Michael S. Idelchik· Senior Advisorin

What they invest in

from 17 of 24 portfolio companies

Cleantech ×7Climate Tech ×7Energy ×7Hardware ×6Advanced Manufacturing ×5Deep Tech ×5AI & Machine Learning ×4Biotech ×3

HQs:United States×15Germany×1

Who they back

founder profiles across 13 portfolio companies
46%
solo founders
6 of 13 mapped founding teams
24%
repeat founders
of 17 founders with career history

Founding team size:solo founder×62 founders×63 founders×1

Where their founders studiedfrom 15 founders with education data

University of California, Berkeley ×3Stanford University ×2

What their founders studiedfrom 16 founders with field-of-study data

Engineering ×9Computer Science ×2Economics ×2Finance & Accounting ×2

Where their founders worked beforefrom 17 founders with career history

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) / University of Karlsruhe (TH) ×2Tesla ×2

Investments · 24 tracked

founders shown can be your intro path

By year:2025 · 22024 · 22023 · 12022 · 32021 · 22020 · 22015 · 113 dated

Velo 3Dvelo3d.comin𝕏NASDAQ: VELOMay 2015

Velo3D manufactures metal additive manufacturing systems using laser powder bed fusion technology for industrial production.

Advanced ManufacturingDeep TechHardwareSanta Clara, US

Benyamin Buller(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)Erel Milshtein(Executive Officer)inArun Jeldi(Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board)in

BoardStrohband Sven(Director)Ofer Shochet(Director)

Co-investorsBessemer Venture PartnersKluz VenturesLam CapitalPlayground GlobalPETRONAS Ventures

Urbinturbint.comin𝕏✓ verified

Urbint builds AI and predictive analytics software that helps utilities, energy providers, and critical infrastructure companies predict and prevent incidents such as field safety hazards, storm impacts, and excavation damages.

AI & Machine LearningEnergySaaS

Corey Capasso(Founder of Urbint, SVP of Itron Resiliency Solutions)inMatt Crye(President of Urbint)inSid Jain(VP of Finance)inSonam Kala(VP of Strategy)inJim Duffy(VP of Sales)inJon Kremer(VP of Product Management)in

Co-investorsEnergize CapitalEnergy Impact PartnersNational Grid PartnersSalesforce VenturesBlue Bear Capital PartnersClimate Investment+6 more

VEIRveir.cominFeb 2025 · $75M✓ verified

VEIR manufactures low- and medium-voltage superconducting systems that deliver electricity for high-performance AI data centers.

AI & Machine LearningDeep TechEnergyHardwareWoburn, US

Tim Heidel(CEO & Co-Founder)in

BoardDoug Stewart(Director)Adam Wallen(Executive Officer, Director)in

Co-investorsBreakthrough Energy VenturesCongruent VenturesTyche PartnersNational Grid PartnersVXI CapitalBaruch Future Ventures+5 more

Worldsworlds.io✓ verified

Worlds develops AI technology for processing and analyzing visual data in spatial and temporal context to enable enterprise applications in the physical world.

Advanced ManufacturingAI & Machine LearningDeep TechEnterprise Software

Dave Copps(CEO)inChris Rhode(President)

Co-investorsMoneta VenturesGreen Park & Golf VenturesPerot JainPETRONAS Ventures

Xage Securityxage.cominSeries B · Dec 2025 · $20M

Xage builds zero trust access and security solutions to protect critical infrastructure systems and prevent cyberattacks.

CybersecurityEnterprise SoftwareIoTSaaSPalo Alto, US

Roman Arutyunov(Executive Officer)inSusanto Irwan(Executive Officer, Director)inSriinDuncan Greatwood(Executive Officer, Director)inDorea El-Sayed(Executive Officer)Norman Thorlakson(Executive Officer)

Board seatMark Gudiksen· per SEC Form D

Co-investorsCity LightMarch Capital PartnersMomenta VenturesThe HiveAramco VenturesChevron Technology Ventures+5 more

Alloy Enterprisesalloyenterprises.coin

Alloy Enterprises designs and manufactures thermal management and cooling solutions for high-density servers and critical IT equipment.

Advanced ManufacturingData & InfrastructureDefense TechEnterprise SoftwareHardwareSomerville, US

Alison Forsyth(Executive Officer, Director)Nicholas Mykulowycz(Executive Officer, Director)inAndrea Bedell(Executive Officer)

Co-investorsCongruent VenturesFlybridge Capital PartnersRiot VenturesUnlessLockheed Martin VenturesPETRONAS Ventures

Boston Metalbostonmetal.comin

Boston Metal develops Molten Oxide Electrolysis (MOE), an electrified process for producing steel and other metals from a range of oxide feedstocks without direct emissions.

Advanced ManufacturingCleantechClimate TechNew MaterialsWoburn, US

Donald Sadoway(Co-founder (MIT professor))inAntoine Allanore(Co-founder (MIT professor))Tadeu Carneiro(CEO)in

Co-investorsBreakthrough Energy VenturesClimate InvestmentPrelude VenturesInternational Finance CorporationBMW i VenturesEnergy Impact Partners+7 more

Ineratecineratec.dein𝕏Series B · Jan 2024 · $130M

INERATEC produces synthetic fuels and chemicals from CO₂ and renewable hydrogen using microstructure technology, offering e-SAF, e-diesel, and other drop-in ready fuels and chemical products for energy and manufacturing industries.

CleantechClimate TechEnergyNot stated on page, DE

Tim Boeltken(Founder)inPfeifer Peter(Founder)in

Co-investorsEmerald Technology Ventures AgENGIE New VenturesHG VenturesHonda Innovations Silicon ValleyPlanet A VenturesWIND Ventures+3 more

Joywell Foodsjoywellfoods.cominMay 2022

Joywell Foods (Oobli) produces sweet proteins found in rare fruits and berries that taste like sugar but digest like protein, and can replace up to 90% of sugar in products such as beverages and baked goods.

BiotechFoodTech

Co-investorsFlucas Ventures

Kolomakoloma.comin

Koloma explores and produces natural hydrogen to support global decarbonization efforts.

CleantechClimate TechDeep TechEnergyDenver, US

Jeff Knupp(Executive Officer)inBunmi Adekore(Executive Officer, Director)Paul Harraka(Executive Officer)inPeter Johnson(Executive Officer, Director)

BoardChristian Garcia(Director)inShayle Kann(Director)in

Co-investorsBreakthrough Energy VenturesCongruent VenturesEnergy Impact PartnersEvok InnovationsMaterial ImpactMOL Switch+6 more

Lunar Energylunarenergy.comin

Lunar Energy develops home energy technology that converts and stores solar power to provide continuous clean electricity for residential customers.

CleantechClimate TechEnergyHardwareMountain View, US

Mark Holveck(Founder)inKunal Girotra(Founder)in

Co-investorsACTIVATE CAPITAL PARTNERSAlumni VenturesB Capital GroupB4 CapitalDCVC (Data Collective)Leitmotif+5 more

Malta Incmaltainc.cominSeries B · Feb 2021 · $61M

Malta Inc. develops a steam-based ultra-high temperature heat pump that delivers 300–550°C process heat for industrial decarbonization and serves as the core technology for its utility-scale long-duration energy storage system.

CleantechClimate TechEnergyCambridge, US

Phil Delleville(Executive Officer, Director)inRamya Swaminathan(Executive Officer, Director)inJeannine Sargent(Director)inAlex Syed(Director)Steve Hirsh(Director)in

BoardJesus Santos Egea(Director)

Co-investorsBreakthrough Energy VenturesPETRONAS Ventures

Ooblioobli.cominSeries A · Jul 2020 · $7M

Oobli develops sweet proteins derived from equatorial fruits and berries, using a fermentation process to produce a sugar alternative that is thousands of times sweeter than sugar.

BiotechCleantechFoodTechImpact & Social Good

Jason Ryder(Founder & CTO)in

Co-investorsGlobal BrainLever VCKhosla VenturesPETRONAS Ventures

Planted Solarplantedsolar.comin

Planted Solar operates a vertically integrated solar platform that links site origination, design, permitting, construction, and operations, using high-density terrain-following arrays and precision field machines to reduce land use and speed deployment.

CleantechClimate TechConstruction TechEnergyOakland, US

Richard Erb(Founder)in

Co-investorsBreakthrough Energy VenturesKhosla VenturesPETRONAS Ventures

Plantibleplantiblefoods.comin𝕏

Plantible Foods redesigns the food supply chain to advance health for people and the planet.

AgTechBiotechFoodTechImpact & Social GoodSan Marcos, US

Tony Martens(Founder & CEO)inMaurits Van de Ven(Founder)in

BoardAlan Chen(Director)

Co-investorsAstanor VenturesCerity Partners VenturesDoon CapitalFTW VenturesGood FriendsLerer Hippeau+4 more

Pykaflypyka.cominSep 2024 · $40M

Pyka develops all-electric cargo aircraft for military logistics applications.

Advanced ManufacturingAgTechClimate TechDefense TechHardwareLogistics & Supply ChainRoboticsSpace TechSan Francisco, US

Michael Norcia(Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer)inNathan White(Co-Founder, Head of Flight Operations)inKyle Moore(Co-Founder, Software Fellow)inChuma Ogunwole(Co-Founder, Chief Operating Officer)in

Co-investorsBold Capital PartnersCatapult VenturesDCVC (Data Collective)MetaplanetObvious VenturesPerot Jain+8 more

Sense Photonicsouster.comin𝕏Apr 2020

Ouster develops high-resolution lidar sensors for long, mid, and short-range applications, enabling automation and autonomous systems across infrastructure and industrial sectors.

AI & Machine LearningDeep TechHardwareIoTRoboticsSan Francisco, US

Charles Angus Pacala(Executive Officer, Director)Mark Frichtl(Founder)inEric Younge(Founder)inZachary Frankel(Director)David Blau(Director)Ashok M. Rao(Director)

Co-investorsAmity VenturesCongruent VenturesCreative VenturesFontinalis PartnersIDEA Fund PartnersPrelude Ventures+4 more

Other

Tracked investments with no reachable website or further public details — typically companies that wound down, renamed, or were absorbed.

Anuvia Plant NutrientsJoywellMenlo MicroMenlo MicrosystemsNovastusOnerailWorlds Enterprises

Exits · 1

1 IPOs

Velo 3DNASDAQ: VELO

Portfolio news

latest coverage across their companies

Frequently asked questions

How many investments has Piva Capital made?
Piva Capital has 24 tracked investments, 1 of which have exited, including 3 dated in the last 24 months.
What stage does Piva Capital invest at?
Piva Capital invests at the Seed, Series A, Series B, Series C, Growth stages.
What sectors does Piva Capital focus on?
Piva Capital focuses on Cleantech, Climate Tech, Deep Tech, Sector Agnostic.
Where is Piva Capital located?
Piva Capital is headquartered in San Francisco, US.
Does Piva Capital lead rounds?
Piva Capital typically participates in rounds rather than leading them.
Who does Piva Capital co-invest with?
Piva Capital most often shares deals with Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Congruent Ventures, Prelude Ventures, among 68 tracked co-investors.

Co-investors · 30

Khosla Ventures

Khosla Ventures is a venture capital firm founded by Vinod Khosla.

$5K – $50M
Breakthrough Energy Ventures

Breakthrough Energy, founded by Bill Gates, backs innovators developing affordable, reliable, and clean energy technologies, investing across manufacturing, electricity, agriculture, transportation, and buildings.

$500K – $50M
Prelude Ventures

Prelude Ventures is a venture capital firm founded in 2009 that invests in and supports entrepreneurs building climate-focused businesses to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy.

$100K – $5M
Energy Impact Partners

Energy Impact Partners is an investment firm that connects entrepreneurs with major corporate partners to help drive the transformation of the global economy toward a more sustainable future.

$5M – $20M
National Grid Partners

National Grid Partners is the venture capital unit of National Grid plc, a major investor-owned energy utility company. The firm invests in innovative energy-related technologies and business models.

Both backed · 2
Paladin Capital Group

Paladin Capital Group invests in early stage and growth companies developing cyber, AI and deep technologies that address security and resilience needs for commercial and government customers.

Both backed · 2
$100K – $5M
DBL Partners

DBL Partners is an impact venture capital firm that invests in companies aiming to deliver top-tier venture returns while generating positive social, environmental, and economic benefits.

Both backed · 2
Obvious Ventures

Obvious is a venture capital firm focused on supporting founders building solutions to humanity's largest challenges across planetary health, human health, and economic health.

Both backed · 1
$250K – $6M
March Capital Partners

March Capital is an early-growth venture capital firm investing in frontier technology companies focused on the AI revolution, partnering with founders to build category-defining businesses.

Both backed · 1
Playground Global

Playground Global is a venture capital firm that invests in deep tech companies built by scientists and engineers, spanning next-generation compute, automation, energy, and computational biology.

Both backed · 1
$1M – $20M
Astanor Ventures

Astanor Ventures is an impact-focused investment firm dedicated to transforming the agrifood system by backing innovation across the value chain from 'soil and sea to gut'.

Both backed · 1
GE Ventures
Both backed · 1
Menlo Micro
18 more co-investors

Mana VenturesMomenta VenturesBlue Bear Capital PartnersTDK VenturesA3VenturesSequoia CapitalGV (Google Ventures)Lightspeed Venture PartnersGreylock PartnersSOSVMayfield FundBullpen CapitalHanabi CapitalIronspring VentureLas Olas Venture CapitalWireframe VenturesTrimble VenturesVentureUs

Firms observed investing alongside Piva Capital, from public investor directories. Shared companies are the overlap with Piva Capital's recorded portfolio.

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