Vertical Venture Partners
Venture capitalActively deployingPalo Alto · Pre-Seed–Series A · 15 people tracked
Investment thesis
The firm seeks founders who combine deep industry knowledge gained through years of operating experience with a strong drive to build transformative companies. The firm values founders who have developed profound understanding of their vertical through hands-on experience, and brings investment and operational experience from diverse backgrounds in research, technology, and finance.
Source: firm website, verified Jul 21, 2026.
Team · 15 people
from the firm's websiteBoard Member at Community Hospital Monterey Peninsula and President of the Naval Postgraduate School Foundation.
Operating Partner at Khosla Ventures and former General Manager at Teradata.
President of Emerging Businesses and Global CIO at Merck.
Former Secretary of the Army and former executive at Westinghouse.
CTO at BMC Software and Vice President at Splunk.
CEO at Brocade Communication and Board Member at Visa International.
CTO at Renaissance Learning and former General Manager at Nuance Communications.
Managing Director at Arcon Partners and Director Emeritus at McKinsey & Company.
Chairman at FusionOps Inc and Board Member at Cadence Design Systems.
Senior Executive Vice President and Head of Client Services & Technology at TIAA.
Founder and CTO at ViaSat and former Engineering Executive at Linkabit.
What they invest in
from 15 of 87 portfolio companiesAI & Machine Learning ×5Medical Devices ×5Biotech ×4Enterprise Software ×3Healthtech ×3SaaS ×3Construction Tech ×2Deep Tech ×2
HQs:United States×9United Kingdom×1
Investments · showing 60 of 87
founders shown can be your intro pathTransforming commercial insurance by making it radically simple for businesses to get the right insurance at the best price
Acalvio provides ShadowPlex, a deception-based security platform that detects reconnaissance, credential misuse, and lateral movement during red and purple team exercises across IT, cloud, and OT environments. The solution uses strategic deception, honeytokens, and decoys to deliver early detection of attacker behavior and validate defensive gaps without disrupting operations.
AI & Machine LearningCloud ComputingCybersecurityDefense TechEnterprise SoftwareSilicon Valley, US
Amira Learning provides AI-powered reading instruction software for schools, combining the Science of Reading with machine learning to deliver reading growth at scale. The platform serves teachers and students in K-12 education.
AI & Machine LearningEdTech
Transforming commercial insurance by making it radically simple for businesses to get the right insurance at the best price
Transforming commercial insurance by making it radically simple for businesses to get the right insurance at the best price
Delix develops neuroplastogen-based therapeutics to treat neuropsychiatric conditions by promoting neuroplasticity and rewiring neural circuits. The company is focused on creating safe, fast-acting treatments for patients with various brain health disorders.
BiotechDigital HealthMedical Devices
Headgum is a Los Angeles-based comedy podcast network that produces and distributes audio comedy shows. The company creates original podcast content for listeners of comedy and entertainment genres.
Creator EconomyMedia & EntertainmentLos Angeles, US
Amir BlumenfeldJake Hurwitz
Inbox Health provides automated patient billing and collections software for healthcare practices. It sends customized billing messages via multiple channels (email, text, mail, voice) and adapts follow-up communications based on patient responses.
HealthtechSaaS
IonPath develops MIBIscope, a spatial proteomics platform that uses multiplexed ion beam imaging to simultaneously measure dozens of protein targets in preserved tissue samples for translational research and discovery. The platform is used in oncology, immunology, and spatial biology studies across research institutions.
BiotechDeep TechMedical Devices
SOCi builds an agentic workforce platform that autonomously manages local marketing tasks across search, directories, social media, and reviews for multi-location enterprise brands. The platform deploys AI agents trained on brand voice to execute marketing workflows and drive local visibility.
AI & Machine LearningMarketing TechSaaS
Menlo Micro develops the Ideal Switch, a solid-state electronic switching technology that replaces traditional relays and electromechanical switches with superior energy efficiency, reliability, and performance. The technology targets applications across industrial controls, consumer electronics, telecommunications, and power management sectors.
CleantechSemiconductors
Mongoose provides an agent-driven experience platform for healthcare payers to handle member interactions, broker support, and operational workflows through conversational AI and guided actions. The platform delivers enrollment, claims, benefits management, and customer service work across member portals, employer portals, broker portals, and service center operations.
AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareHealthtech
Mudflap provides a mobile app and payment card that offer discounted diesel fuel for truck drivers and fleets at over 3,600 truck stops nationwide. The platform eliminates traditional fuel card fees while enabling drivers to save up to $1.00 per gallon on fuel purchases.
FintechLogistics & Supply Chain
Matt FolkmanTerry Cooper Jr.Jamario Baugh
NanoCellect manufactures microfluidic cell sorting systems for laboratory and research applications. The company's WOLF sorters use low-pressure microfluidics technology to sort cells with high viability and minimal damage for stem cell research and cell biology applications.
BiotechMedical Devices
ONI develops the Nanoimager, an automated super-resolution imaging system. The company serves researchers and laboratories in life sciences and microscopy applications.
BiotechDeep TechHardwareMedical DevicesOxford, GB
Board seats · per SEC filings · 4
what is this? ⓘ$6.5M raise · filed Jan 2025 · via Brad Corona
$11.4M raise · filed Oct 2024 · via Brad Corona
$8.4M raise · filed Dec 2023 · via Brad Corona
$5M raise · filed Nov 2022 · via Brad Corona
Inferred from directors named on each company's SEC Form D — public regulatory data, not a portfolio list published by the firm.
Frequently asked questions
- What stage does Vertical Venture Partners invest at?
- Vertical Venture Partners invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A stages.
- What sectors does Vertical Venture Partners focus on?
- Vertical Venture Partners focuses on Healthtech, InsurTech, Logistics & Supply Chain, Marketing Tech, Mental Health, SaaS, Sector Agnostic.
- Where is Vertical Venture Partners located?
- Vertical Venture Partners is headquartered in Palo Alto, US.
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