/Investor DB

Playground Global

Venture capitalActively deploying

Palo Alto · Pre-Seed–Series A · 49 people tracked

Also known as Playground · PLAYGROUND GLOBAL, LLC · Playground Ventures

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Investment thesis

Playground Global focuses on frontier and deep technology at the leading edge of computing and science. It backs next-generation compute innovations spanning quantum computing, AI acceleration, novel architectures, and advanced interconnects. The firm invests in automation technologies that deliver measurable ROI, helping companies scale and compete, and supports the energy transition through smarter, cleaner, and more scalable solutions across energy generation, storage, and infrastructure. Playground also invests at the intersection of AI and synthetic biology, backing platforms that accelerate drug development and enable next-generation therapies. Overall, the firm partners with scientists and engineers redefining what is technically possible.

Source: firm website, verified Sep 27, 2026.

Stage
Pre-Seed–Series A
Check
$1M – $20M
HQ
Palo Alto, CA, US
Leads rounds
Follows
Instruments
Equity
Founded
2015
Last 12 months
10 investments
AUM
$1.7B
VC funds
16
Tracked investments
91
Unicorns
8
IPOs
2
Acquisitions
4

Team · 49 people

from the firm's website & curated & public directories
John Vormbaum· Principal Talent Partnerin
Victoria Sun· Principal
Angela Lin· Executive Assistant
Austin Yu· Investorin
Kim Watson· Finance Managerin
Nancy Ly· Associate, Finance & Administratorin
Nicole Sonnert· Investorin
Andy Rubin· Managing Partnerin𝕏

7 people who came through Playground Global went on to found or lead other companies.

What they invest in

from 66 of 91 portfolio companies

AI & Machine Learning ×39Deep Tech ×31Hardware ×20Biotech ×16Semiconductors ×12Logistics & Supply Chain ×8Medical Devices ×8Robotics ×8

HQs:United States×51Australia×3Israel×2Canada×1United Kingdom×1Nigeria×1

Who they back

founder profiles across 47 portfolio companies
11%
solo founders
5 of 47 mapped founding teams
38%
repeat founders
of 65 founders with career history
~2 yrs
old at investment
median across 25 dated deals

Founding team size:solo founder×52 founders×103 founders×134+ founders×19

Where their founders studiedfrom 61 founders with education data

University of California, Berkeley ×8Massachusetts Institute of Technology ×7Tufts University ×4Harvard University ×3Stanford University ×3Stanford University Graduate School of Business ×3Tel Aviv University ×3UC San Diego ×3

What their founders studiedfrom 68 founders with field-of-study data

Engineering ×32Computer Science ×21Life Sciences ×10Physics ×8Business & Management ×7Economics ×4Mathematics & Statistics ×4Chemistry ×2

Where their founders worked beforefrom 65 founders with career history

Google ×9Stanford University ×710x Genomics ×5Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) ×4MIT ×4Qualcomm ×4Carnegie Mellon University ×3Harvard Medical School ×3

Accelerator rootsportfolio companies that came through a program

Y Combinator ×4

41 founders hold a PhD · 12 hold an MBA (of 71 with degree data) · backed the same founder in 2+ companies: 3 founders

Investments · 91 tracked

founders shown can be your intro path

By year:2026 · 62025 · 92024 · 52023 · 52022 · 62021 · 62020 · 42019 · 12018 · 42017 · 12016 · 42015 · 354 dated

Intelintel.comin𝕏NASDAQ: INTC

Intel designs and manufactures semiconductor processors for data center, consumer, and embedded applications, including Xeon server processors, Arc graphics processors, and mobile processors.

AI & Machine LearningHardwareSemiconductorsSanta Clara, US

Robert Noyce(Co-founder)inGordon Moore(Co-founder; CEO 1975–1987)Andrew Grove(Employee no. 3; CEO 1987–1998)April Miller Boise(Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer)inMichelle Johnston Holthaus(Chief Executive Officer of Intel Products)inChristoph Schell(Executive Officer)in

Co-investorsAccess Venture PartnersCeltic House Venture PartnersGen CapitalIrregular ExpressionsKluz VenturesNorwest Venture Partners+12 more

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)inBenny Buller(Founder)

BoardStrohband Sven(Director)Ofer Shochet(Director)

Co-investorsBessemer Venture PartnersKluz VenturesLam CapitalPiva CapitalPETRONAS Ventures

Snowcap Computesnowcapcompute.cominJun 2025✓ verified

Snowcap Compute develops superconducting computing platforms using Josephson Junctions to replace semiconductor transistors, delivering orders-of-magnitude greater energy efficiency for AI and high-performance computing workloads.

AI & Machine LearningDeep TechSemiconductorsSan Francisco, US

Anna Herr(Founder)inQuentin Herr(Founder)inMichael Shamus Lafferty(Executive Officer, Director)Michael Lafferty(Founder)

BoardRichard Hyman(Director)

Board seatPat Gelsinger· per SEC Form D

Co-investorsATEL VenturesCambium CapitalOUP (Osage University Partners)Page One Ventures

xLightxlight.comin𝕏Series B · Aug 2025 · $41M✓ verified

xLight develops free-electron laser (FEL) technology and advanced accelerator systems.

Advanced ManufacturingDeep TechHardwareSemiconductorsPalo Alto, US

Nicholas Kelez(Founder)in

BoardKevin Heidrich(Director)

Board seatPeter BarrettPat Gelsinger· per SEC Form D

Co-investorsLam CapitalOpen Field CapitalRoadster CapitalMorpheus Ventures

19101910.aiin𝕏Series A · Jan 2021✓ verified

1910 develops an AI platform that integrates multimodal data, frontier AI models, and high-throughput lab automation to accelerate drug discovery and development for pharmaceutical companies.

AI & Machine LearningBiotechDeep TechHealthtechBoston, US

Jen Asher(CEO)inJennifer O. Nwankwo(Executive Officer, Director)Jen Asher, Ph.D.(Founder)inJen Nwankwo(Founder)

BoardSamir Kumar(Director)Marc Foster(Director)

Co-investorsFoundersX VenturesY CombinatorEmles Venture PartnersJude GomilaM12 (Microsoft's Venture Fund)Point Reyes Management+5 more

Amberamber.bioinAug 2023 · $26M✓ verified

Amber Bio is a biotechnology company developing a novel RNA writing platform capable of multi-kilobase gene edits that can treat multiple mutations across patients with a single product.

AI & Machine LearningBiotechDeep Tech

Jacob Borrajo, PhD(Founder and CEO)Basem Al-Shayeb(Founder)Jacob Borrajo(Founder)inJacob Borrajo Basem Al-Shayeb(Founder)

Co-investorsAndreessen HorowitzHummingbird VenturesPillar VC

d-Matrixd-matrix.aiin𝕏✓ verified

d-Matrix develops AI compute hardware and platforms optimized for generative AI inference, designed to be faster, more energy-efficient, and more accessible than existing solutions.

AI & Machine LearningHardwareSemiconductors

Sid Sheth(Founder)inSudeep Bhoja(Founder)in

Co-investorsTemasekAlpha Square GroupAmino CapitalBerkeley FrontierCortado VenturesEntrada Ventures+13 more

Inscopixinscopix.comin𝕏✓ verified

Inscopix develops advanced microscopy and neural circuit analysis technologies to understand brain function and disease mechanisms for neuroscience research.

AI & Machine LearningBiotechDeep TechMedical DevicesMountain View, US

Kunal Ghosh(Founder & CEO)inAbbas El Gamal(Co-founder & Director)Mark Schnitzer(Scientific Cofounder & Board Observer)

Co-investorsFloodgateWestern Technology InvestmentAME Cloud VenturesPlayground Ventures

Manifoldmanifold.bioin✓ verified

Manifold Bio combines AI-guided protein design with high-throughput in vivo screening to engineer tissue-targeted biologics and deliver therapeutic payloads to specific organs.

AI & Machine LearningBiotechDeep TechBoston, US

Gleb Kuznetsov(Founder)inPierce Ogden(Founder)inGeorge Church(Founder)George M. Church(Founder)Shane Lofgren(Founder)

BoardJory Bell(Director)

Co-investorsFifty YearsFPVHorizons VenturesTriatomic CapitalThird Rock Ventures

Mesa Quantummesaquantumsystems.com✓ verified

Mesa Quantum develops chip-scale quantum sensors—including atomic clocks, gyroscopes, magnetometers, and accelerometers—for industrial and defense applications, with a focus on Alternative Position, Navigation, and Timing (Alt-PNT) as a resilient backup to GPS.

Defense TechHardwareQuantum ComputingColorado, US

Wale Lawal(CTO)

Co-investorsSOSV

PicoJoolpicojool.comin✓ verified

PicoJool designs and manufactures vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) optical connectivity solutions for AI data centers and hyperscale cloud systems.

Deep TechHardwareSemiconductors

Al Yuen(Founder)

RightHandrighthandrobotics.comin✓ verified

RightHand Robotics develops an AI-powered robotic piece-picking platform for order fulfillment in e-commerce and supply chain operations.

AI & Machine LearningLogistics & Supply ChainRoboticsSomerville, US

Leif Jentoft(Founder)inYaro Tenzer(Founder)inLael Odhner(Founder)inYaroslav Tenzer(Executive Officer, Director)Brian D. Owen(CEO)in

Co-investorsMenlo VenturesMatrixF-Prime CapitalGlobal BrainGV (Google Ventures)Maniv Mobility+3 more

Farmwise Labsfarmwiselabs.comNov 2024SEC filingmedium confidence

Santa Clara, US

Sebastien Boyer(Director)Thomas Palomares(Executive Officer, Director)Tjarko Leifer(Executive Officer, Director)in

BoardJason Schoettler(Director)inClay Mitchell(Director)

Board seatBruce Leak· per SEC Form D · $10M raise · filed Mar 2025

Co-investorsCastor VenturesGV (Google Ventures)SBXiXplorer CapitalCalibrate VenturesFall Line Capital+1 more

Insamoinsamo.comSeed · Dec 2023 · $12M

Insamo develops an automated platform for drug discovery that designs, synthesizes, and tests cyclic peptides at scale using machine learning and proprietary experimental data.

AI & Machine LearningBiotechDeep TechChippendale, AU

Tim Craven(CEO)inToby Passioura(Founder)inGlen McIntyre(Founder)Timothy Craven(Founder)

BoardCOREY GOODMAN(Director)in

PartnerBen Kim· led

Board seatMatt Hershenson· per SEC Form D

Co-investorsBEVCCivilization Ventures Management, LlcMRL Ventures FundvenBio PartnersAxial VCvenBio Global Strategic

PowerLatticepowerlatticeinc.cominJul 2024 · $25M

Powerlattice develops integrated voltage regulator (IVR) chiplets for power delivery in high-performance processors and AI systems.

AI & Machine LearningDeep TechSemiconductorsVancouver, US

Sujith Dermal(Head of Systems & Apps)inPeng Zou(CEO & President)inGANG GEN(Executive Officer, Director)Dr. ZouGang Ren(Head of Engineering)in

Board seatPat Gelsinger· per SEC Form D

Co-investorsCelesta CapitalG Vision Capital

Rapidsosrapidsos.cominJan 2022

RapidSOS operates a safety network that connects public safety agencies, enterprises, and consumer/corporate devices to provide critical context and pre-arrival intelligence to emergency responders and 911 dispatchers.

AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareGovTechNew York, US

Nicholas Horelik(Founder)inMichael Martin(Founder)inNick Horelik(Founder)

BoardDan Nova(Director)Matthew Bozik(Director)

Board seatBruce Leak· per SEC Form D

Co-investorsAcrew CapitalAlumni VenturesApax DigitalAvanta VenturesBasecamp FundCity Light+18 more

Sizable Energysizableenergy.cominSeed · Nov 2025 · $9M

Sizable Energy develops offshore pumped hydro energy storage technology that uses reservoirs and reversible pump-turbines to store energy at sea.

CleantechEnergyHardwareSan Francisco, US

Manuele Aufiero(Founder)Carlo Fiorina(Founder)Stefano Bernardi(Founder)in

BoardPepe Carnevale(Director)

Board seatBruce Leak· per SEC Form D

Co-investorsSatganaUnruly CapitalVerve VenturesPossible Ventures

zooxzoox.comin𝕏May 2016SEC filingmedium confidence

Zoox develops autonomous robotaxis designed as purpose-built vehicles for autonomous transportation.

AI & Machine LearningMobility & TransportationRoboticsMenlo Park, US

TIM KENTLEY-KLAY(Executive Officer, Director)JESSE LEVINSON(Executive Officer, Director)JON FOSTER(Executive Officer)inJesse Levinson(Founder)Tim Kentley-Klay(Founder)

BoardHEIDI ROIZEN(Director)in

Board seatLaurie Yoler· per SEC Form D · $50M raise · filed Oct 2016

Co-investorsBlackbird VenturesBrave CapitalBreyer CapitalIntrepid Growth PartnersLux CapitalPrimavera Venture Management Limited+6 more

AgilityinSeries A · Oct 2025 · $8M

Brecksville, US

Eric Wagner(Executive Officer, Director)Gino Manocchio(Executive Officer, Director)inDavid Friihuaf(Executive Officer, Director)

Agility Roboticsagilityrobotics.comin𝕏Feb 2018 · $8M

Agility Robotics develops and deploys humanoid robots for warehouse automation and logistics operations.

AI & Machine LearningHardwareLogistics & Supply ChainRoboticsSalem, US

Jonathan Hurst(Founder)inDamion Shelton(Founder)inMikhail Jones(Founder)inPeggy Johnsonin

BoardBruce Leak(Director)inMatthew Ocko(Director)in

PartnerBruce Leak· quoted

Co-investorsBig Brain HoldingsDCVC (Data Collective)GaingelsHARPER COURT VENTURESManhattan Venture PartnersMFV Partners+10 more

Alvaenergyalvaenergy.io

Alva develops solutions for delivering new nuclear power generation capacity on time and on budget, serving utilities and energy operators building utility-scale nuclear systems.

Deep TechEnergy

Michael AndersGarrett Wilkinson(Founder)James Krellenstein(Founder)

BoardIsabelle BoemekeSimon Holmes à Court

Co-investorsCollaborative Fund

Anjunaanjuna.ioin𝕏Seed · Jun 2021 · $3M

Anjuna develops software for secure data sharing and confidential computing in cloud and AI environments.

AI & Machine LearningCloud ComputingCybersecurityDeep TechEnterprise SoftwareSan Francisco, US

Ayal Yogev(CEO)inSteve WeisYan Michalevsky(CTO)in

BoardPeter Barrett(Director)inLonne Jaffe(Director)in

Co-investorsInsight PartnersM VenturesSINEWAVE VENTURESAlpha Intelligence CapitalDCVC (Data Collective)Dorm Room+11 more

Atomic AIatomic.aiin𝕏Series A · Jan 2023 · $35M

Atomic.ai combines machine learning and RNA biology to discover and develop RNA-based drugs.

AI & Machine LearningBiotechDeep TechSouth San Francisco, US

Raphael Townshend(Founder)inManjunath Ramarao(Chief Scientific Officer)inStephan Eismann(Founding Scientist, Head of Machine Learning)inEsta Kor(Head of Business Operations)inBrent Townshend(Head of ML Data Generation)in

Co-investorsAIX VenturesAME Cloud VenturesGreylock PartnersModi VenturesNot Boring CapitalStartX+1 more

Ayar Labsayarlabs.comin𝕏Series A · Nov 2018 · $24M

Ayar Labs develops co-packaged optics (CPO) technology for AI infrastructure, enabling optical connectivity between thousands of GPUs across data center racks.

AI & Machine LearningDeep TechHardwareSemiconductorsSan Jose, US

Mark Wade(Founder)inAlex Wright-Gladstein(Founder)inChen Sun(Founder)Milos Popovic(Founder)Rajeev Ram(Founder)Vladimir Stojanovic(Founder)

Co-investorsNVIDIAAlumni VenturesBasecamp FundBerkeley FrontierBlue Bear VenturesCastor Ventures+26 more

Bodyportbodyport.comin𝕏Seed · Feb 2016 · $3M

Bodyport develops an FDA-cleared cardiac scale that non-invasively measures hemodynamic biomarkers through a patient's feet to detect early signs of worsening heart failure in a home setting.

Digital HealthHealthtechMedical DevicesWellness & FitnessSan Francisco, US

Corey Centen(CEO)inSarah Smith(Founder)inHunter Scott(Electrical Engineer)James Tan(Lead software engineer)Sarin Patel(Data Science)Garrett Massman(Software engineer)

Co-investorsHCVCInitialized CapitalKapor CapitalSGH CapitalY CombinatorBoehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund+1 more

Boxbotboxbot.ioin𝕏

Boxbot provides automated, high-density storage systems for logistics operations, using AI-driven capabilities to optimize vehicle loading, cross-dock buffering, and item retrieval across last-mile delivery, air cargo, and industrial applications.

AI & Machine LearningLogistics & Supply ChainRoboticsAlameda, US

Austin Oehlerking(Founder)inMark Godwin(Founder)

Co-investorsAfore CapitalNoveus CapitalPear VCWinklevoss CapitalArtiman VenturesHouse+1 more

Branchbranch.ioin𝕏

Branch is an AI-powered mobile measurement partner (MMP) and omnichannel linking platform that helps brands measure marketing impact and guide customers across apps, web, email, paid media, social, and connected TV.

AdTechAI & Machine LearningMarketing TechSaaS

Mada Seghete(Founder)inMike Molinet(Founder)inAlex Austin(Founder)Charles Vien(Founder)Connor Hollasch(Founder)Dayton Mills(Founder)

Co-investorsAlate PartnersCoelius CapitalCowboy VenturesMadrona Venture GroupNew Enterprise Associates (NEA)Pear VC+28 more

Cantilevercantilever.mediainJun 2026

Cantilever Media develops, finances, and produces animated films and television entertainment for family audiences.

Media & Entertainment

Andrew Baker(CEO)in

Co-investorsCreative UKDOMiNO Ventures

Databricksdatabricks.comin𝕏

Databricks provides a unified platform for data engineering, analytics, and artificial intelligence, enabling organizations to build and deploy data and AI applications on cloud infrastructure.

AI & Machine LearningCloud ComputingData & InfrastructureEnterprise SoftwareSan Francisco, US

Ali Ghodsi(Founder)inIon Stoica(Founder)inMatei Zaharia(Founder)inReynold Xin(Founder)inPatrick Wendell(Founder)inAndy Konwinski(Founder)in

Co-investors137 VenturesA.Capital VenturesAglae VenturesAlkeon InnovationAlpha Square GroupAltra Venture+115 more

De-Icedeice.comin𝕏

De-Ice develops an electric heating technology for aircraft de-icing, eliminating chemical spraying and reducing departure delays.

Advanced ManufacturingCleantechClimate TechHardwareSomerville, US

Alexander Bratianu(Founder)inAlexander Bratianu-Badea(Founder)Ruben Toubiana(Founder)in

BoardJohn Owen(Co-founder and former CFO at JetBlue Airways)

Co-investorsFlucas VenturesFounder CollectiveHemisphere Ventures LLCHypothesisRed Forest CapitalScout Ventures+3 more

Eeroeero.comin𝕏Acquired

eero designs and manufactures Wi-Fi mesh networking systems for homes and businesses.

HardwareIoTSan Francisco, US

Nick Weaver(Founder)inNate Hardison(Founder)inAmos Schallich(Founder)in

BoardRobert Coneybeer(Director)inRobert Hayes(Director)in

Co-investorsFirst Round CapitalGrishin RoboticsHomebrewMenlo VenturesQualcomm VenturesRedpoint Ventures+3 more

Element Zeroelementzero.greeninSeed · Jan 2024 · $10M

Element Zero develops zero-emission technology to produce green metals from iron ore and other ores using renewable energy and electrochemistry, eliminating carbon dioxide from metal production.

Advanced ManufacturingCleantechClimate TechPort Hedland, AU

Michael Masterman(Founder)inBart Kolodziejczyk(Founder)in

Fabricgetfabric.comin

Fabric operates automated fulfillment facilities for urban retail and on-demand commerce, helping retailers improve operational efficiency and sustainability.

E-commerceLogistics & Supply ChainPropTechRobotics

Ori Avraham(Co-founder, VP Product & Strategy)inShay Cohen(Co-founder, VP Engineering)inAvi (Jack) Jacoby(CEO)in

Co-investorsAliment CapitalKoch Disruptive TechnologiesPontifax AgTechUnion Tech Ventures

Fabric Commercefabric.incin𝕏

fabric is a commerce platform for retailers, and this page presents its technology and solution partner ecosystem.

AI & Machine LearningE-commerceRetail TechSaaS

Aniq Rahman(Founder)inArun Vijayvergiya(Founder)inAvi Jacoby(Founder)Curt Avallone(Founder)Eeshita Pande(Founder)Elram Goren(Founder)

Co-investorsAscend Venture CapitalB CapitalB Capital GroupB4 CapitalExpaForerunner Ventures+19 more

FairMoneyfairmoney.ngin𝕏Jul 2021

FairMoney is a digital bank offering personal loans, savings products, and business banking services through a mobile app.

ConsumerFintech

Laurin Hainy(Founder)Matthieu Gendreau(Founder)Nicolas Berthozat(Founder)

Co-investorsAruwa CapitalNewfund CapitalSpeedinvestTLcom Capital305 Ventures75 & Sunny+26 more

GigaCropgigacrop.cominPre-Seed · Mar 2025 · $5M

GigaCrop develops engineered crops with improved photosynthesis to increase agricultural yields for food, fiber, and fuel production.

AgTechAI & Machine LearningBiotechDeep Tech

Chris Eiben(Founder)in

Co-investorsJuniper

Ideon Technologies Inc.ideon.aiin𝕏Series A · Sep 2022 · $16M

Ideon Technologies uses cosmic-ray muon tomography to create subsurface density maps for mining companies, enabling mineral deposit identification and characterization while reducing environmental impact and operational risk.

AgTechAI & Machine LearningClimate TechDeep TechSaskatchewan, CA

Don Furseth(Founder)Douglas Schouten(Founder)Gary Agnew(Founder)

Co-investorsAquiline Technology GrowthFirst Trust Capital PartnersSproutxWUTIF CapitalFCA Venture PartnersMassMutual Ventures

Infinimmuneinfinimmune.cominSeed · Dec 2022 · $12M

Infinimmune discovers and develops antibody therapeutics using proprietary sequencing technology and AI-powered optimization.

AI & Machine LearningBiotechMedical Devices

Lance Hepler(Founder)inKatie Pfeiffer(Founder)inMichael Gibbons(Founder)inWyatt McDonnell(Founder)indavid jaffe(Founder)inDavid Jaffe(Founder)

Co-investorsCivilization Ventures Management, LlcPear VCRA CapitalAxial VCPaladin Capital GroupTrammell Venture Partners (TVP)

Lassogenlassogen.comin𝕏Sep 2020

Lassogen engineers lasso peptides — structurally unique 3D scaffolds — into therapeutics it calls Lassotides, designed to combine the strengths of antibodies and small molecules.

AI & Machine LearningBiotechSan Diego, US

Mark J Burk(Executive Officer)in

Co-investorsBetter Ventures Central LlcFirst In Ventures

Lastwalllastwall.comin𝕏Sep 2015

Lastwall provides secure digital identity and access management for defense, government, and critical infrastructure teams, combining Zero Trust and Public Key Infrastructure with post-quantum cryptographic protection.

CybersecurityDefense TechGovTech

Karl H.(Founder)in

Co-investorsBlue Bear Capital PartnersStreamlined Ventures

Leaf Logisticsleaflogistics.comin𝕏Series A · Mar 2020 · $20M

Leaf uses predictive analytics and AI to identify optimal transportation contracting opportunities for shippers and carriers, helping them reduce costs, improve operations, and lower carbon emissions.

AI & Machine LearningClimate TechLogistics & Supply Chain

Anshu Prasad(Founder)

Co-investorsDynamo VenturesFJ LabsMadrona Venture GroupMS&AD VenturesREFASHIOND VenturesSchematic Ventures+3 more

Mosaic MLmosaicml.com𝕏Jul 2021 · $37Macquired by Databricks

MosaicML develops tools and research for training and deploying custom AI models, including reinforcement learning methods for enterprise agents.

AI & Machine LearningData & InfrastructureEnterprise SoftwareSan Francisco, US

Naveen Rao(Founder)inHanlin Tang(Founder)inJonathan Frankle(Founder)

BoardMatt Ocko(Director)inShahin Farshchi(Director)inPeter Barrett(Director)in

Co-investorsBright Pixel CapitalCorrelation VenturesDCVC (Data Collective)Future VenturesInspired CapitalMaverick Ventures+3 more

Nauto Connected Carnauto.comin𝕏Apr 2016

Nauto provides an AI-enabled fleet and driver safety platform that uses real-time video analysis and machine learning to predict and prevent distracted driving and collisions for commercial fleets.

AI & Machine LearningHardwareInsurTechIoTMobility & TransportationPalo Alto / Sunnyvale, US

Heck Stefan(Executive Officer, Director)Stefan Heck(Founder)inFrederick Soo(Founder)Yoav Banin(President (previously Chief Product Officer))inRuslan Belkin(Chief Technology Officer)inVijay Pendyala(Senior Vice President, Engineering)in

Co-investorsAllianz XBMW i VenturesDnx VenturesGreylock PartnersManiv MobilityMudita Venture+5 more

Nervananervanasys.comAcquired

AI platform that powered creation of custom deep learning applications.

Co-investorsIn-Q-Tel

NextSilnextsilicon.com

NextSilicon develops software-defined hardware architecture for high-performance computing in scientific research, enabling developers to accelerate existing code without rewrites or vendor lock-in.

AI & Machine LearningDeep TechHardwareSemiconductorsGivatayim, IL

Elad Raz(Founder)inEyal Nagar(Founder)Ilan Tayari(Founder)

Co-investorsAmiti VenturesIn-Q-TelSoundproof VenturesSymbolThird Point VenturesAleph+1 more

NVisionnvision-quantum.comMay 2026 · $55M

NVision develops quantum computing and quantum sensing systems built at the molecular level, including molecular qubits and quantum-enhanced MRI, aimed at improving how diseases are understood, detected, and treated.

Deep TechHealthtechQuantum Computing

Co-investorsMatterwave VenturesAbbottCDP Venture CapitalEntrée CapitalEuropean Investment Bank

Nvision Imagingnvision-imaging.comin𝕏

NVision develops quantum computing and quantum-enhanced sensing platforms based on quantum spin control in organic molecules, with focus on healthcare applications including drug development and disease treatment.

AI & Machine LearningBiotechDeep TechMedical DevicesQuantum Computing

Alex Retzker(Founder)Fedor Jelezko(Founder)Ilai Schwartz(Founder)Martin Plenio(Founder)

Co-investorsBerkeley Angel NetworkDraper AssociatesEntrée CapitalExcelestar VenturesLauder PartnersMatterwave Ventures

Outpace Biooutpacebio.cominSeries A · Jul 2024 · $25M

Outpace Bio develops engineered protein technologies and cell therapies to treat solid tumors, focusing on protein design and T cell engineering to improve cancer treatment efficacy and safety.

BiotechDeep TechMedical DevicesSeattle, US

Marc Lajoie(Founder)inScott Boyken(Founder)inStanley Riddell(Co-Founder and Scientific Advisor)Aaron Foster(Executive Officer)inCharity Scripture(Executive Officer)inEric Soller(Executive Officer)in

Co-investorsArtis VenturesRA CapitalAbstract VenturesATEL VenturesAtinum Investment Co. Ltd.Civilization Ventures Management, Llc+9 more

Owl Labsowllabs.comin𝕏Aug 2016 · $15M

Owl Labs provides hardware and software solutions for Microsoft Teams Rooms, enabling hybrid meeting experiences across small huddle rooms, medium conference spaces, and large event venues.

Enterprise SoftwareFuture of WorkHardwareSaaSSomerville, US

Mark Schnittman(Founder)inMax Makeev(Founder)inFrank Weishaupt(Chief Executive Officer)in

BoardAntonio Rodriguez(Director)in

Co-investorsMatrixSpark Capital

Pandionpandionpro.comSeed · Feb 2021 · $5M

Pandion is building an e-commerce delivery network that uses machine learning to integrate with last-mile delivery, aiming for better on-time performance and higher asset utilization.

AI & Machine LearningE-commerceLogistics & Supply ChainSeattle, US

Scott Ruffin(Founder)in

Co-investorsBow CapitalBregal InvestmentsBregal SagemountSQN Venture Partners, LLCTitanium VenturesSchematic Ventures

Phasecraftphasecraft.ioinSeries A · Aug 2023 · $17M

Phasecraft develops quantum computing systems and software by combining quantum information theory, materials science, and engineering to advance practical quantum advantage.

AI & Machine LearningDeep TechQuantum Computing

Prof. Ashley Montanaro(Co-Founder & CEO)inProf. Toby Cubitt(Co-Founder, CTO & CSciO)inProf. John Morton(Co-Founder & Director)inAshley Montanaro(Founder)John Morton(Founder)Toby Cubitt(Founder)

Co-investorsAlbionVCEpisode1LocalGlobeUCL Technology FundLondon Co-Investment FundParkwalk Advisors+1 more

Photon Queuephotonqueue.cominJul 2026 · $4M

Photon Queue develops quantum memory devices using linear optics technology for photon storage.

Deep TechQuantum ComputingSan Francisco, US

Kelsey Ortiz(Co-founder)in

Co-investorsCerberus VenturesIllinois VenturesCerberus Capital ManagementMFV Partners

Postmatespostmates.comJun 2015Acquired

<UNKNOWN>

San Francisco, US

Bastian Lehman(Founder & CEO)Sam Street(Founder)inSean Plaice(Founder)inBastian Lehmann(Founder)

BoardLee Fixel(Director)Scott Banister(Director)in

Co-investorsAngelPadBrighter CapitalCraft VenturesCrosslink CapitalEntrée CapitalExpansion Venture Capital+60 more

PowerLatticepowerlattice.com

Gang Ren(Founder)Jassbir Malik(Founder)Peng Zou(Founder)Sujith Dermal(Founder)

Co-investorsCelesta Capital

PSI Quantumpsiquantum.comin𝕏May 2025

PsiQuantum builds fault-tolerant quantum computers using photonic qubits and semiconductor manufacturing processes.

Deep TechHardwareQuantum ComputingSemiconductorsMoreton Bay, AU

Prof. Terry Rudolph(Co-founder & Chief Architect)Dr. Pete Shadbolt(Co-founder & Chief Scientific Officer)inProf. Mark Thompson(Co-founder & Chief Technology Officer)Jeremy O'Brien(Founder)inVictor Peng(Chief Executive Officer)inMark Thompson(Founder)

Co-investorsAtomicoBlackbird VenturesC4 VenturesCold Start VenturesFOG VenturesFounders Fund+38 more

Quantumquantumtransistors.com

A quantum photonics venture associated with research on integrated quantum photonics and diamond nanophotonics.

Deep TechQuantum ComputingSemiconductorsHerzliya, IL

Igal Bayn(Founder)inTim Schröder(Prof. Dr., Chair of Integrated Quantum Photonics)

Co-investors10DEntrée CapitalTal Ventures

Queuequeue.incin

Queue builds an autonomous robotic pharmacy kiosk that takes in sealed wholesale drug bottles and dispenses filled, verified prescription vials on-site, using computer vision to identify each pill to its National Drug Code and QR codes to verify scripts.

HardwareHealthtechRoboticsPalo Alto, US

Nick Desai(Co-founder)inJosh Liu(Co-founder)in

Co-investorsAlleyCorpRiot VenturesInception Studio CapitalUbiquity VenturesBanter CapitalCerberus Capital Management+2 more

Relativity Spacerelativityspace.comin𝕏Series B · Mar 2018 · $35M

Relativity Space develops Terran R, a reusable medium-to-heavy-lift rocket designed for efficiency and scalability, serving government entities, telecommunications companies, and commercial customers for space access missions.

Advanced ManufacturingAI & Machine LearningDeep TechDefense TechHardwareSpace TechLos Angeles, US

Tim Ellis(CEO)inJordan Noone(CTO)inEric Schmidt(CEO)inAlex Levy(Investor)inNatalie EstrellaArleen Giger(Principal Recruiter)

Co-investorsAidenlair CapitalARA NEA Ventures (Brand: Dmz.Xyz)Aurum Venture PartnersBalerion Space VenturesBaruch Future VenturesBold Capital Partners+62 more

Robust AIrobust.aiin

Robust.AI develops AI and robotics technology with a focus on human-centered design.

AI & Machine LearningDeep TechLogistics & Supply ChainRoboticsVista, US

Anthony Jules(Founder)inRodney Brooks(Founder)inLeila TakayamainGabrielle HalberginMarin Tchakarov(Chief Executive Officer)inGary Marcus(Founder)

Co-investors15th RockEnergy Impact PartnersFontinalis PartnersFuture VenturesJAZZ Venture PartnersMetaplanet+1 more

Saltboxsaltbox.comin𝕏Jul 2022 · $10.6M

Saltbox provides logistics and fulfillment services to ecommerce merchants and entrepreneurs, offering warehousing and workspace solutions to simplify supply chain operations.

E-commerceLogistics & Supply ChainPropTechNew York, US

Tyler Scriven(Founder)inKaterina Cirilli(CEO)inChe Sharma(Founder)Maxwell Bonnie(Founder)Paul D'Arrigo(Founder)

Co-investorsKapor CapitalMetaPropMetaProp VenturesVentures PlatformVillage GlobalWestern Technology Investment+2 more

Other

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

CloudCarKnoxus.AI LtdLogistics ExchangeMangata Networks, Inc.Perlumi Chemicals, Inc.QUDARA INC.AlvaAmber BioChargeloopClarionIdeonManifold BioNVision Quantum TechnologiesOutpacePlaygroundSizableSnowcapUavionixUltima

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.

Exits · 6

2 IPOs · 4 acquisitions · showing 3

IntelNASDAQ: INTCVelo 3DNASDAQ: VELOMosaic MLacq. by Databricks

Portfolio news

latest coverage across their companies

Frequently asked questions

How many investments has Playground Global made?
Playground Global has 91 tracked investments, 6 of which have exited, including 16 dated in the last 24 months.
What stage does Playground Global invest at?
Playground Global invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A stages.
What is Playground Global's typical check size?
Playground Global typically writes checks of $1M – $20M.
What sectors does Playground Global focus on?
Playground Global focuses on AI & Machine Learning, Biotech, Cleantech, Climate Tech, Deep Tech, Energy, Hardware, Logistics & Supply Chain, New Materials, Quantum Computing, Robotics, Semiconductors, Space Tech.
Where is Playground Global located?
Playground Global is headquartered in Palo Alto, US.
Does Playground Global lead rounds?
Playground Global typically participates in rounds rather than leading them.
Who does Playground Global co-invest with?
Playground Global most often shares deals with In-Q-Tel, Andreessen Horowitz, DCVC (Data Collective), among 278 tracked co-investors.

Media · Podcasts & interviews

featuring the team

Keynote: Peter Barrett, Playground Global

Special Competitive Studies Project · Peter Barrett

Pat Gelsinger Announces He Is Joining Playground Global

Playground Global · Pat Gelsinger

Playground Global's Peter Barrett on quantum computing and tech's potential

CNBC Television · Peter Barrett

Playground Global's Peter Barrett on creating a quantum ecosystem in Australia

ShareCafe · Peter Barrett

Playground Global's Peter Barrett on Australia's High-Tech Future

Finance News Network · Peter Barrett

Peter Barrett, Playground Global VentureHouston 2023

HX Venture Fund · Peter Barrett

Co-investors · 68

Andreessen Horowitz

Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) is a venture capital firm founded in 2009 by Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz, known for pioneering the platform model with a large team of operators supporting founders across stages.

$500K – $50M
DCVC (Data Collective)

DCVC (Data Collective) is a deep tech venture capital firm that backs entrepreneurs using computational approaches to solve large-scale real-world problems across many industries.

$5M – $25M
Tiger Global Management

Tiger Global Management operates public equity strategies (long/short, long-focused and crossover) and a private equity business investing in early- through late-stage growth companies across new and existing industries.

$1M – $100M
Entrée Capital

Entrée Capital is a venture firm run by former serial founders, managing $1.5bn across multiple funds with offices in Tel Aviv, London and New York.

Both backed · 5
$150K – $15M
M12 (Microsoft's Venture Fund)

M12 is Microsoft's corporate venture capital fund, investing in innovative startups and leveraging Microsoft's resources, connections, and customers to help portfolio companies scale.

$100K – $10M
FPV

FPV Ventures is an early-stage investment firm that backs mission-driven founders.

$100K – $5M
Khosla Ventures

Khosla Ventures is a venture capital firm that backs bold, early-stage, technology-driven companies across deep tech and other sectors, providing hands-on 'venture assistance' to help founders build category-defining businesses.

$100K – $20M
Insight Partners

Insight Partners is an investment firm focused on accelerating revenue and profit growth in software companies, providing capital and operational support through its Insight Onsite team.

$120M – $350M
Addition

Addition is a venture capital firm that invests in early and growth-stage tech companies.

General Catalyst

General Catalyst is a venture capital firm operating as a partnership focused on company building and accelerating the growth of the businesses it backs.

$30M
GV (Google Ventures)

GV (Google Ventures) is a venture capital firm that has invested in AI and machine learning since its early days, backing more than 100 AI companies across infrastructure, life sciences, and applications.

$250K – $50M
Greylock Partners

Greylock Partners is an early-stage venture capital firm that partners with founders building companies from inception. Its partners make only one or two new investments per year to focus deeply on each partnership.

$100K – $10M
▶56 more co-investors

AME Cloud VenturesBond Capital Management75 & SunnyToyota VenturesTriatomic CapitalIndex VenturesFounder CollectiveMenlo VenturesUncorrelated VenturesRA CapitalSchematic VenturesKinnevikSozo VenturesSINEWAVE VENTURESSQN Venture Partners, LLCCraft VenturesBessemer Venture PartnersSV AngelFoundation CapitalHCVCCota CapitalBowery CapitalIntel CapitalHOF CapitalK2 GlobalAltimeter Capital305 VenturesSmash CapitalFifty YearsPaladin Capital GroupStrawberry Creek VenturesvenBio PartnersRebel FundPiva CapitalPortal VenturesMorpheus VenturesBetter Ventures Central LlcParkwalk AdvisorsJetBlue VenturesWilshire Lane CapitalBoehringer Ingelheim Venture FundEverywhere VenturesKrakenC2 InvestmentsRevolutionAtlas VentureWildcat Venture PartnersSpider CapitalFounders' Co-opWalden InternationalThink+ Ventures Management, LlcStealth CapitalKyber Knight CapitalAutotech Ventures6th Man VenturesLionBird

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

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