Redbud VC
Venture capitalActively deployingColumbia · Pre-Seed–Seed · 16 people tracked
Find your way into Redbud VC
1,539 people in our graph share verified history with the Redbud VC team — schools, employers, funds. One of them is your warm intro.
Investment thesis
Redbud VC backs founders at the earliest stages—from first check to pre-seed—investing in rare talent building generational, category-defining technology companies regardless of pedigree or introduction path. As a generalist with no industry bias, the firm prioritizes founders 'strengthened by struggle,' believing resilience is the greatest driver of venture returns. Many portfolio founders are first-time entrepreneurs, immigrants, or have Midwest roots. Redbud's operator partners have built billion-dollar companies and provide hands-on support, securing hundreds of introductions to investors, customers, and early hires. The team draws on its own experience building a large company in Columbia, MO with minimal resources.
Source: firm website, verified Aug 3, 2026.
Team · 16 people
from the firm's website & public directories
Founder mafia
5 people who came through Redbud VC went on to found or lead other companies.
What they invest in
from 43 of 73 portfolio companiesSaaS ×25AI & Machine Learning ×21Fintech ×11Enterprise Software ×9Healthtech ×6Consumer ×5Digital Health ×5Data & Infrastructure ×4
HQs:United States×19Canada×2
Who they back
founder profiles across 11 portfolio companiesFounding team size:solo founder×52 founders×33 founders×3
Where their founders worked beforefrom 15 founders with career history
NEXT Canada ×2
Accelerator rootsportfolio companies that came through a program
Investments · showing 72 of 73
founders shown can be your intro pathBy year:2025 · 22024 · 12023 · 47 dated
Rebulk provides software and computer vision technology to track and manage bulk material inventory across industries like agriculture, recycling, and logistics.
AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareLogistics & Supply ChainSaaSOlathe, US
Warren Wijaya Wang(Founder)inCole Robertson(Founder)in
Co-investorsAbstraction CapitalY CombinatorFCVCKCRise Fund
Roots is a curated social and networking platform that connects founders, operators, talent, investors, and enterprises based on shared "roots" such as geography, alumni networks, culture, and industry.
AI & Machine LearningSaaSSocial
Asepha provides AI-powered automation solutions for pharmacies to automate routine administrative tasks like patient calls, prescription intake, and prior authorization workflows.
AI & Machine LearningDigital HealthHealthtechToronto, CA
Can Uncu(Cofounder)inEunice Wu(Cofounder)in
Co-investorsCore Venture CapitalFront Row VenturesGlasswing VenturesMGV.VCPanache VenturesTechstars+2 more
balanceHQ is a financial planning and analysis platform for K-12 school districts that lets superintendents and school boards import ERP data, build budgets, run scenarios, and benchmark financial performance against peer districts.
EdTechFintechSaaS
Ben Latimer(Co-Founder & CTO)inJohn(Co-Founder & CEO)Ben Latimer, PhD(Founder)in
beehiiv is a publishing platform for creators, publishers, and brands to build and grow newsletters, websites, podcasts, and communities.
Creator EconomyMarketing TechMedia & EntertainmentSaaSNew York, US
Jake Hurd(Cofounder)Tyler Denk(Cofounder)inBenjamin Hargett(Cofounder)in
Co-investors359 CapitalBlue Wire CapitalCollectivConnect VenturesCreator VenturesLightspeed Venture Partners+5 more
Bolster provides construction management software for residential construction, focusing on estimation and digital workflows to modernize how projects are bought, sold, and managed.
Construction TechFintechMarketplacesPropTechSaaSCalgary, CA
Mike Bignold(Founder)in
Co-investorsFUSEY CombinatorCERVIN VENTURESCheyenne VenturesCrosslink CapitalI2BF Global Ventures+3 more
Celcy makes a smart oven and freezer that automatically prepares meals while the user is away, controlled through a companion app that lets people select and schedule meals remotely.
ConsumerFoodTechHardware
Max Wieder(Co-founder)inEddie Holzinger(Co-founder)
Co-investorsMaryland TEDCOTEDCO
Rebulk is a platform for bulk-materials terminal and transport operations that captures billable events — railcars, trucks, transfers, scale tickets, BOLs, inventory movements, demurrage — onto a single record to support invoicing and inventory visibility.
Enterprise SoftwareLogistics & Supply ChainSaaS
Cole Robertson(Founder)in
Co-investorsFlyover CapitalAbstraction Capital
EatMyWay develops a digital wellness platform that combines intuitive eating principles with behavioral science and mindfulness to help users develop a healthier relationship with food and their bodies.
ConsumerDigital HealthWellness & Fitness
Bentley Adams(CEO)
Fair Warranty provides insurance pricing and risk management solutions for the automotive sector.
Enterprise SoftwareInsurTechSaaSSilicon Valley, US
William Betteridge(Founder, CEO)Stephen Bates(Founder, Chief Risk Officer)inWill B(Founder)
Co-investorsBlue CollectiveCopper Sky CapitalRender CapitalTruStage VenturesAntlerPlug and Play Ventures
Formula Health is a prescription management and fulfillment platform that helps medical practices prescribe compounded therapeutics such as GLP-1s, peptides, hormone replacement therapy, and personalized supplements.
Digital HealthHealthtechSaaS
Co-investorsBling Capital
Hallway offers a no-code platform to add conversational AI characters (powered by Claude, GPT, or Gemini) to websites and products for customer engagement, lead capture, and user guidance.
AI & Machine LearningSaaS
Co-investorsBasis Set VenturesChapter One
Haxion develops spatial intelligence technology that enables artificial intelligence systems to understand and interact with the physical world, creating persistent environmental memory and advanced reasoning capabilities for embodied AI applications.
AI & Machine LearningDeep Tech
Co-investorsCrosscut VenturesMaC Venture CapitalSilent Ventures
Amby is a relationship management tool that enriches contacts and leads with context and uses a "Move Score" to detect early signals that a contact is likely to move, helping users reach out at the right time.
AI & Machine LearningSaaSSales Tech
Co-investorsRoble Ventures
HoundDog provides software that automates insurance verification and tracking for businesses managing third-party vendors, helping them confirm that partners carry required insurance coverage.
AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareInsurTechSaaS
Rusty Brett(Founder)in
KeySquare Technologies builds modern technology infrastructure to upgrade the legacy systems of global institutional broker dealers.
Data & InfrastructureEnterprise SoftwareFintechNew York, US
Co-investorsWatertower Ventures Management, Llc
Mattoboard is a browser-based 3D mood board and virtual material sampling platform for interior designers and architects.
AI & Machine LearningPropTechLas Vegas, US
Guy Adam Ailion(Founder)in
Co-investorsCerity Partners VenturesFoundamentalSoundboard Venture FundTechstarsAcrobator VenturesBlue Field Capital+1 more
Mihailo Bozic(Cofounder)Dylan Gibbs(Cofounder)
Co-investorsArc AngelsIcehouse Ventures
OneImaging coordinates medical imaging appointments across the United States, directing patients to appropriate scan sites based on need and price while connecting patients, providers, and payers.
Digital HealthHealthtechMedical DevicesMiami, US
Elan Adler(Founder)in
Co-investorsHeadwater VenturesNecessary VenturesSemperVirens Venture CapitalXRCBalaji SrinivasanSixThirty Ventures+1 more
Pave provides compensation and equity data to help employees understand and compare their pay.
AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareFintechHR TechSaaSSan Francisco, US
Matt Schulman(Founder)inOren Bass(Executive Officer, Director)Salim Lahoud(Director)Aaron Hultgren(Executive Officer, Director)John Geiken(Executive Officer, Director)in
BoardAlexander Turkot(Director)in
Co-investorsAndreessen HorowitzBessemer Venture PartnersIndex VenturesVillage GlobalY CombinatorCraft Ventures+12 more
Pave provides AI-powered cashflow analytics, attributes, and scores that lenders integrate into their risk models to assess consumer and SMB credit risk.
AI & Machine LearningData & InfrastructureFintechSaaS
Raymond Rouf(Co-Founder, CEO)inEma Rouf(Co-Founder, President)in
Co-investorsBetter Tomorrow VenturesData TechFairbridge ParkHoxton VenturesLorimer VenturesMVP Ventures+3 more
Public Grid simplifies access to household energy efficiency actions and connects individuals with their neighbors to collectively reduce emissions and save money.
CleantechClimate TechEnergyFintech
Joe R.(Founder)inRyan Freed(Founder)in
Co-investorsAlpaca VCCorigin VenturesGroundBreak VenturesHamilton VenturesUrban Innovation
Reactiv is a Shopify-native platform that enables ecommerce brands to build mobile commerce applications with native integrations across marketing, merchandising, orders, loyalty, support, and data infrastructure.
Developer ToolsE-commerceRetail TechSaaS
RossZackMike
Co-investorsBonfire Ventures
Reelist automates social media recruitment campaigns for hiring teams, sourcing and qualifying candidates from platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, then delivering them directly to ATS systems like Teamtailor.
AdTechHR TechMarketing TechSaaSNorfolk, US
Catherine Schuck(Executive Officer, Director)Sean Worden(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardStephanie Campbell Doran(Director)
Co-investorsCore Venture CapitalTechstarsArtemis Female
Reffie is an AI-powered platform that consolidates rental leads from multiple listing sites and property management systems into a single interface for property managers and leasing teams.
AI & Machine LearningPropTechSaaSLos Angeles, US
Connie Lee(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)inDaniel Kats(Director, Promoter)
BoardBukie Adebo Umeano(Director)
Co-investorsFour Acres CapitalHawk Hill VenturesService Provider CapitalTechstars
Resolv is a DeFi protocol offering crypto-native dollar products, including USR, a stable dollar instrument backed by diversified crypto yield sources and liquid prime assets, and RLP, a leveraged yield product that acts as an insurance layer.
Crypto & Web3FintechVirgin, US
Fedor C(Founder)
Co-investorsMaven 11EquipmentSharegumi Cryptos Capital (gCC)Team Ignite Ventures
Resolv is a back-office platform for contractors, especially HVAC installers, that finds and files energy rebates, files building and mechanical permits, and registers equipment warranties automatically.
AI & Machine LearningEnergySaaS
Co-investorsPre-Seed to SucceedYellow Rocks!
RouteSense is a payments intelligence platform that gives merchants and acquirers real-time visibility into account health, automatic transaction routing to protect revenue, and unified data across gateways and systems.
AI & Machine LearningE-commerceFintechSaaS
Stephen Martin(Co-Founder & CEO)
Co-investorsService Provider Capital
Saferide develops driver assistance technology that retrofits existing vehicles with advanced safety features including automatic emergency braking, lane centering, and adaptive cruise control.
AI & Machine LearningMobility & TransportationSan Francisco, US
Will Bright(Founder)inRobbins Schrader(Executive Officer, Director)Whitney Schrader(Executive Officer, Director)T. Scott Law(Director)
Synvect develops ngSIT (next-generation sterile insect technique) technology to control mosquito-borne disease vectors through genetic engineering.
AgTechBiotechClimate TechDeep TechHealthtechImpact & Social GoodSan Diego, US
Nikolay Kandul(Co-founder & CEO)inOmar Akbari(Co-founder & CSO)Pooja Y. Patel(Co-founder & CBO)inRavi Solanki(Co-founder)in
Co-investorsService Provider CapitalAntlerBill & Melinda Gates FoundationNuFundRedbud
TGP Capital Partners is a Kansas City-based private equity fund that makes control and minority equity investments in middle-market manufacturing and business services companies with revenues between $15 million and $50 million.
Enterprise SoftwareKansas City, US
The Renatural manufactures custom wigs using ultra-thin, breathable base materials designed to mimic natural scalp.
ConsumerDirect to ConsumerE-commerceFemTechHealthtechWellness & Fitness
Co-investorsHoaQHumba VenturesIngeborg InvestmentsRareBreed VenturesWatchfire Ventures
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The Residency enables and accelerates high-potential young people, offering programs and coaching aimed at those pursuing alternatives to the traditional college path, including aspiring founders.
EdTechFuture of Work
Nick Linck(Founder)inPeter D'Ambrosio(Co-founder)in
Co-investorsBetaworks
Transend provides embedded B2B financing that lets suppliers offer their buyers instant credit at the point of sale, while the supplier is paid upfront and Transend handles underwriting, capital, servicing, and regulatory compliance.
AI & Machine LearningFintechSaaS
Trestle is a vendor management platform that gives construction and preconstruction teams real-time visibility into vendor capacity, contract exposure, qualifications, and performance in one place.
AI & Machine LearningConstruction TechEnterprise SoftwareSaaS
Co-investorsCamber CreekFortySix Venture CapitalLegalTechMetaPropMetaProp VenturesAlumni Ventures+2 more
Trially uses AI and data science to match patients with clinical trials and accelerate trial recruitment.
AI & Machine LearningDigital HealthHealthtechMedical DevicesKansas City, US
Kyle McAllister(CEO & Founder)inTrevor Welch(Executive Officer, Director)in
BoardThad Langford(Director)in
Co-investorsAlpaca VCCorigin VenturesFlyover CapitalThe CouncilGaingelsLooking Glass Capital
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Vega provides event management and scheduling software for schools, helping administrators manage room bookings, event approvals, ticketing, RSVPs, and activity compliance.
EdTechFuture of WorkSaaS
Other
Tracked investments with no reachable website or further public details — typically companies that wound down, renamed, or were absorbed.
Biography HealthBraidBraidfiClearingDaoFairFocusHigh DegreeJamLayerMiralaPorterReactivResolv SystemsRestaurantmateSplinkSplinktechnologiesStartup GarageStealth2Stealth3Stealth4SyncvectTranscendVegaWaltWayYonder
Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companiesThe Residency · markets.businessinsider.com · Aug 4, 2026
Layer 9 · datacenterdynamics.com · Jul 27, 2026
Trestle · altss.com · Jun 3, 2026
Resolv · trysignalbase.com · May 5, 2026
Rebulk · startlandnews.com · Mar 23, 2026
The Renatural · inc.com · Mar 10, 2026
beehiiv · reuters.com · Jan 20, 2026
Frequently asked questions
- How many investments has Redbud VC made?
- Redbud VC has 73 tracked investments, including 3 dated in the last 24 months.
- What stage does Redbud VC invest at?
- Redbud VC invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed stages.
- What is Redbud VC's typical check size?
- Redbud VC typically writes checks of $50K – $150K.
- What sectors does Redbud VC focus on?
- Redbud VC focuses on Sector Agnostic.
- Where is Redbud VC located?
- Redbud VC is headquartered in Columbia, US.
- Does Redbud VC lead rounds?
- Yes, Redbud VC leads investment rounds.
- Who does Redbud VC co-invest with?
- Redbud VC most often shares deals with Techstars, Y Combinator, Andreessen Horowitz, among 40 tracked co-investors.
Media · Podcasts & interviews
featuring the teamBrett Calhoun | Redbud VC
Fun Raising with VC Sheet · Brett Calhoun
Episode 49: "It's a Volume Game" | Redbud VC's Brett Calhoun
The Diligent Observer · Brett Calhoun
Images
Co-investors · 5
Lerer Hippeau is an early-stage venture capital firm that backs founders across sectors, emphasizing investing in companies before they gain wider recognition.
MetaProp is a venture capital firm focused on the proptech sector, dedicating its resources to support portfolio founders and their teams as they grow their businesses.
Hustle Fund is an early-stage venture capital firm that invests quickly in startups, offering capital along with educational programs and mentorship. It also runs an angel investing community that lets members invest alongside the fund.
Polygon is a blockchain platform positioned as infrastructure for global payments and money movement, enabling assets to move onchain at scale. It offers an open stack for accessing the onchain economy and is powered by its native token $POL.
Firms observed investing alongside Redbud VC, from public investor directories. Shared companies are the overlap with Redbud VC's recorded portfolio.
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