Fundraising Fox
Sputnik ATX
AcceleratorAustin · Pre-Seed
Also known as Sputnik ATX VC
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Investment thesis
Sputnik ATX VC is an industry-agnostic, pre-seed accelerator that invests in bold founders located outside of Silicon Valley, emphasizing diversity across its portfolio. The program provides a $100,000 investment via a SAFE note (with a 30% discount) plus up to $400,000 in follow-on funding, and runs two cohorts per year with hands-on sales training and traction building. The firm charges no fees, does not take a board seat, decides quickly, and only offers advice rather than dictating strategy. Framed around founder-first alignment, Sputnik states it only makes money when founders succeed.
Source: firm website, verified Aug 3, 2026.
What they invest in
from 13 of 15 portfolio companiesAI & Machine Learning ×4Enterprise Software ×4Cleantech ×3Consumer ×3Media & Entertainment ×3New Materials ×3SaaS ×3Data & Infrastructure ×2
HQs:United States×5Australia×1United Kingdom×1
Who they back
founder profiles across 6 portfolio companiesAccelerator rootsportfolio companies that came through a program
Portfolio companies · 15 tracked
alumni founders can tell you what the program is really like
Celadyne develops thin, durable proton exchange membranes used in fuel cells, electrolyzers, and flow batteries, with hydrogen fuel cells and electrolysis as initial applications.
CleantechEnergyNew MaterialsChicago, US
Gary Ong(Founder & CEO)inCorey Staller(CTO)in
Co-investorsShell VenturesManiv MobilityDynamo Ventures
FuelGems is a nanotechnology company that produces a carbon-based fuel additive designed to reduce emissions, improve fuel efficiency, and increase engine lubrication for gasoline, diesel, and bio-fuel.
CleantechDeep TechNew MaterialsAustin, US
Kirill Gichunts(Co-founder & CEO)
An online bookstore that sells curated book selections and pairs them with ambient videos designed to complement the reading experience.
ConsumerE-commerceMedia & EntertainmentAustin, US
Auric makes the Aromasphere, a waterless smart aromatherapy diffuser paired with a mobile app that personalises therapeutic scent rituals for calm, focus, energy, and sleep based on biometric data, wearables, and smart-home integration.
ConsumerIoTWellness & FitnessSydney, AU
Adam Good(Co Founder, CEO)inAlex Cutri(Co Founder, CTO)in
Co-investorsAntlerCactus Venture PartnersPerth AngelsCapital-AVenture Catalysts
Backtracks provides audio and video analytics and advertising tools that help podcast and audio publishers and advertisers measure and grow their audiences without using personally identifiable information.
AdTechData & InfrastructureMedia & Entertainment
Co-investorsWormhole CapitalCapital FactoryMoonshots CapitalNext Coast Ventures
EcoPulse is an AI software company that helps manufacturers identify and quantify PFAS risks across products, materials, and suppliers.
Advanced ManufacturingAI & Machine LearningCleantechEnterprise SoftwareNew Materials
Wei (Jenny) YuinAlan CalvilloJoey Burke
Co-investorsTitanium Innovation Investments
Gust provides a platform for startup founders to incorporate their companies, manage cap tables and equity, and handle governance, risk, and compliance.
Enterprise SoftwareFintechFuture of WorkLegalTechSaaSNew York, US
David S. Rose(Executive Officer, Director)in
BoardHoward Morgan(Director)in
Co-investors37 AngelsAngels4WomenBeacon AngelsBroad Street AngelsFashion Capital PartnersIU Ventures+8 more
PEI Infrastructure Investor is a digital platform and data service for infrastructure investors that combines market intelligence, proprietary data, and networking tools to support deal sourcing and investment decisions across the private infrastructure sector globally.
Data & InfrastructureEnterprise SoftwareFintechMedia & Entertainment
Co-investorsEQT VenturesGV (Google Ventures)Highland Europe
Pop Digital is a digital services agency that combines web design, hosting, local SEO, reputation management, AI automation, and ongoing website support under one team.
Marketing TechSaaS
Rime develops voice synthesis technology using a linguistics-first approach for enterprise applications, powering voice agents for healthcare and financial services providers requiring high accuracy on complex terminology and compliance-compliant natural-sounding conversations.
AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareHealthtech
Jyoti Bansal(Founder)inJohn Vrionis(Co-founder)inLily Clifford(CEO)Brooke Larson(Co-Founder)Ares Geovanos(Co-Founder)
Co-investorsCorazon CapitalM13Twilio VenturesBoxGroupLong Journey VenturesY Combinator
Other
Tracked investments with no reachable website or further public details — typically companies that wound down, renamed, or were absorbed.
AimapsWoostudy
Frequently asked questions
- How many investments has Sputnik ATX made?
- Sputnik ATX has 15 tracked investments.
- What stage does Sputnik ATX invest at?
- Sputnik ATX invests at the Pre-Seed stage.
- What is Sputnik ATX's typical check size?
- Sputnik ATX typically writes checks of $100K.
- What sectors does Sputnik ATX focus on?
- Sputnik ATX focuses on Crypto & Web3, Sector Agnostic.
- Where is Sputnik ATX located?
- Sputnik ATX is headquartered in Austin, US.
- Who does Sputnik ATX co-invest with?
- Sputnik ATX most often shares deals with Techstars, 37 Angels, New York Venture Partners, among 19 tracked co-investors.
Images
Co-investors · 2
ATX Venture Partners is a venture capital firm that invests in seed and Series A stage companies in Texas and the South-Central United States, with a focus on software-as-a-service, Internet of Things, e-commerce, artificial intelligence, commercial technologies, and mobile applications.
gener8tor is an accelerator organization that runs cohort-based programs providing mentorship, coaching, networking, and capital to startups, career seekers, creatives, and corporations across many communities.
Firms observed investing alongside Sputnik ATX, from public investor directories. Shared companies are the overlap with Sputnik ATX's recorded portfolio.
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