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Workshop Venture Partners

Venture studio

San Francisco · Pre-Seed–Seed · 13 people tracked

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Investment thesis

Workshop operates as a venture studio at the intersection of purpose and profit, investing in and building companies alongside founders tackling problems in climate and education. The team, composed of engineers and operators experienced in scaling companies from zero to one, focuses on supporting founders through their earliest growth stages. Workshop believes many of today's most pressing challenges require scalable, self-sustaining businesses capable of attracting top talent and growth capital.

Source: firm website, verified Aug 7, 2026.

Stage
Pre-Seed–Seed
Check
$3M
HQ
San Francisco, California, US
Leads rounds
Leads
Instruments
Equity
Last 12 months
1 investment
Tracked investments
38
Acquisitions
1

Team · 13 people

from the firm's website
Alex Brockman· Operating Advisor, Finance and Accountingin

Operating advisor supporting Workshop's co-founders in finance and accounting.

Courtney Cann· Operating Advisor, Designin

Operating advisor supporting Workshop's co-founders in design.

Faz Nassari· Operating Advisor, Recruitingin

Operating advisor supporting Workshop's co-founders in recruiting.

Jack McDermott· Operating Advisor, Growthin

Operating advisor supporting Workshop's co-founders in growth.

Michael Horn· Operating Advisor, Education Trendsin

Operating advisor supporting Workshop's co-founders on education trends.

Will Vaughn· Operating Advisor, UXin

Operating advisor supporting Workshop's co-founders in UX.

Founder mafia

2 people who came through Workshop Venture Partners went on to found or lead other companies.

What they invest in

from 24 of 38 portfolio companies

EdTech ×13AI & Machine Learning ×9SaaS ×8Cleantech ×6Climate Tech ×5Enterprise Software ×5Energy ×4AgTech ×3

HQs:United States×18

Who they back

founder profiles across 13 portfolio companies
54%
solo founders
7 of 13 mapped founding teams
40%
repeat founders
of 15 founders with career history

Founding team size:solo founder×72 founders×33 founders×24+ founders×1

Where their founders studiedfrom 16 founders with education data

Massachusetts Institute of Technology ×3Harvard University ×2UNSW ×2Yale University ×2

What their founders studiedfrom 13 founders with field-of-study data

Business & Management ×4Economics ×3Design & Architecture ×2

Where their founders worked beforefrom 15 founders with career history

MIT Media Lab ×2NYC Department of Education ×2

Investments · 38 tracked

founders shown can be your intro path

By year:2026 · 12025 · 22023 · 25 dated

Alpacagetalpaca.comin𝕏

Alpaca provides teacher recognition programs, wellbeing initiatives, pulse surveys, and resources for school leaders to support educator welfare and school operations.

EdTechFuture of WorkHR TechSaaSWellness & Fitness

Karen Borchert(Founder & CEO)in

Co-investorsInvest NebraskaDrive Capital

Alpha Gridalphagrid.ai

Pricing intelligence for EV charging infrastructure

Palo Alto, US

Lucas Ackerknecht(Founder)Phil Stahlfeld(Founder)

Co-investorsStarshotTwine Ventures

Altusthermalaltusthermal.com𝕏

Altus Thermal makes Cala, a heat pump water heater that adjusts water heating to a home's daily hot water usage and integrates with solar, batteries, and variable electricity pricing.

CleantechEnergyHardware

Bloomybloomylearning.comin𝕏Seed

Bloomy is an adaptive learning platform that uses AI to teach ELA, Math, and Writing to K-12 students through personalized lessons, live AI tutoring, and mastery-based assessments.

AI & Machine LearningEdTechSan Francisco, US

Alex Southmayd(Founder)in

Co-investorsTranspose Platform ManagementY CombinatorAndreessen HorowitzLyra Capital Pty LtdReach CapitalRobinhood

Butlrbutlr.comin𝕏

Butlr makes anonymous thermal sensors that measure occupancy and space utilization across offices, buildings, campuses, stores, and labs without cameras, badges, or Wi-Fi tracking.

AI & Machine LearningDigital HealthHardwareHealthtechIoTPropTechSan Francisco, US

Honghao Deng(Founder)inJiani Zeng(Founder)in

BoardRaymond Stuart Stata(Director)Seth Levine(Director)inNaimish Patel(Director)inYijia Andy Sun

Co-investors1Flourish Capital500 GlobalFounder CollectiveFoundryGS FuturesHDS Capital+13 more

Cartwheelcartwheel.orgAug 2025

Cartwheel delivers evidence-based mental health and clinical care services to students and families through partnerships with school districts.

Digital HealthEdTechHealthtechMental HealthCambridge, US

Joe English(Co-Founder and CEO)inDaniel Tartakovsky(Executive Officer, Director)

BoardHolly Maloney(Director)inGreg Yap(Director)inSteve Kupfer(Director)in

Co-investorsAble PartnersAlumni VenturesBoxGroupCraft VenturesGeneral CatalystMenlo Ventures+11 more

Coralstartcoral.com

Coral provides software that lets HVAC and home electrification contractors turn utility and government rebates into instant upfront discounts, handling eligibility validation, rebate filing, and follow-ups.

CleantechClimate TechFintech

Co-investorsEntrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator (ERA)Floating PointNew Climate VenturesResilienceVCTwelve BelowZ47+2 more

Coursemojocoursemojo.comin

CourseMojo offers Mojo, an AI teaching assistant that converts texts and assignments from top-rated curricula into interactive, differentiated activities for students and real-time data for teachers.

AI & Machine LearningEdTechSaaSWashington, US

Eric Westendorf(Executive Officer, Director)inJamie Forrest(Founder)inDacia Toll(Executive Officer, Director)in

BoardEleanor Laurans(Director)Emily McGinty(Director)inWilliam R. Berkley(Director)

Co-investorsCambiar EducationUlu VenturesStreet Ventures

CyberNutcybernut.comin𝕏

CyberNut provides a gamified security awareness and phishing training platform for K-12 schools, serving students, teachers, and administrators.

CybersecurityEdTechSaaS

Oliver Page(Founder)in

Co-investorsEdovate CapitalGrowth Street PartnersAvalanche VC

Drovergetdrover.cominacquired by Cazoo · Dec 2020

Drover develops virtual fencing technology for sustainable livestock management and farming.

AgTechHardwareIoT

Callum Taylor(Founder)inSamuel Aubin(Founder)in

Co-investorsAutotech VenturesRTP GlobalTarget Global

Eded.link

Edlink provides Single Sign On (SSO) functionality supporting over a dozen authentication providers, enabling education technology products to integrate seamlessly with school systems via LTI, Clever, Classlink, and other platforms.

Data & InfrastructureDeveloper ToolsEdTechSaaSSan Francisco, US

Dakota Gordon(CEO & Co-Founder)inAmanda Goodson(COO & Co-Founder)in

Co-investorsAllied Venture PartnersFirebrand VenturesPath Ventures

Eddifieddifi.aiin

Eddi provides AI agents for educational organizations that work across grants, finance, student success, analytics, compliance, and reporting, integrating with existing systems like CRMs, student information systems, and ERPs.

AI & Machine LearningEdTechGovTech

Co-investorsSamvid Ventures

Elephant Energyelephantenergy.comin

Elephant Energy provides end-to-end home electrification services for homeowners, handling heat pump and heat pump water heater installation including sizing, contractors, rebates, inspections, and electrical work.

CleantechClimate TechEnergyBoulder, US

David Richardson(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)inJoshua Lake(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)DR(Co-founder)Josh(Co-founder)

BoardTravis Conners(Director)Joseph Lipscomb(Director)in

Co-investorsArborview CapitalBuilding VenturesK Street CapitalWorkshop

Imioimio.coinJun 2026

Imio makes Re-Gen, a freeze-dried microbial powder applied to crop residue for row crops such as corn, helping farmers unlock NPK nutrient value and increase yields.

AgTechBiotechClimate TechChicago, US

Charles Frederick Smith(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)

BoardJeremiah Brewer(Director)Guillaume Baxter(Director)

Co-investorsStarshotSerra Ventures

Making Spacemaking-space.comin

Making Space is a talent acquisition and learning platform that helps disabled professionals build skills, find community, and secure meaningful employment, while providing employers with accessible hiring and retention support.

B2B MarketplacesEdTechHR TechImpact & Social GoodLos Angeles, US

Keely Cat-Wells(CEO & Founder)in

Co-investorsMindshift CapitalOne Planet GroupOne Planet OpsSamvid VenturesTechstarsBeta Boom+1 more

ManifestEDmanifested.comin

Manifest provides AI-powered business intelligence and assistant tools designed specifically for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), including metrics dashboards, personalized guidance, and community support.

AI & Machine LearningEdTechEnterprise SoftwareSaaSToledo, US

Sarah Horn(Chief Executive Officer)inZack Avshalomov(Chief Product and Technology Officer)inAshley Bittner(Director)Renee Beaumont(Director)

BoardDavid Blake(Director)Allison Salisbury(Director)

Co-investorsKalos VenturesBrass Ring VenturesGratitude RailroadOwl Ventures

Medley Learningmedleylearning.comin

Medley is a browser extension that scaffolds classroom content to match each student's English proficiency level, automatically fading support features like translations and visuals as learners progress while preserving grade-level rigor.

AI & Machine LearningEdTechSaaS

Monairemonaire.aiinDec 2023

Monaire develops AI-powered systems to redefine commercial HVAC and refrigeration, delivering improved comfort, efficiency, and sustainability.

AI & Machine LearningCleantechEnergyEnterprise SoftwarePropTechWaltham, US

Rahul Subramany(Founder & CEO)inKedar(VP of Engineering, CISO)Nishant Kanapilly(Executive Officer, Director)

Co-investorsConstruct CapitalFounder CollectiveWorkshop

Oncetryonce.comin𝕏

Once is an early reading program and curriculum designed for children ages 3-7 that uses structured phonics instruction combined with individual attention to help every child become a fluent reader by third grade.

EdTech

Co-investorsLong Term Impact

Paloma Learningpalomalearning.comin

Alameda, US

Alejandro Gibes de Gac(Executive Officer, Director)

BoardBrian Dixon(Director)

Co-investorsKapor CapitalReach Capital

Playblplaybl.comin

Playbl develops research-backed web and mobile games designed for teenagers to build decision-making skills and promote healthier lifestyle choices.

Digital HealthEdTechGamingHealthtechMental Health

Lynn E. Fiellin, MD(Founder & Chief Scientific Officer)in

Sourgumsourgum.comin𝕏

Sourgum provides technology solutions for the waste and recycling industry.

Circular EconomyEnterprise SoftwareLogistics & Supply ChainMarketplaces

Joe DiNardiinLuciano DiNardiinJoe DiNardi-Mack(Founder)in

Co-investors186 VenturesFounder CollectiveRiverPark VenturesSuffolk TechnologiesBroadway Venture PartnersHeadline+4 more

Timelyschoolstimelyschools.comin

Timely is a software platform for school districts that automates student and staff scheduling while enforcing compliance requirements like IEP, 504, and English learner placement.

AI & Machine LearningEdTechEnterprise SoftwareSaaS

Paymon Rouhanifard(Co-Founder & CEO)inFaisal Anwar(Co-Founder & CTO)inEleanor Laurans(Co-Founder)in

Trellis Airtrellisair.comin𝕏Mar 2025

Trellis Air develops technology aimed at drying air using less energy.

CleantechClimate TechEnergySomerville, US

Russ Wilcox(Executive Officer, Director)

BoardCraig Shapiro(Director)

Co-investorsOUP (Osage University Partners)Founder Collective

workheroworkhero.proin

WorkHero offers back-office management for HVAC contractors, automating manufacturer equipment warranty registrations through integrations with job management platforms like Housecall Pro, ServiceTitan, and Jobber.

AI & Machine LearningConstruction TechEnterprise SoftwareFuture of WorkHR TechSaaS

Christy

Co-investorsNavitas CapitalYork IE

Yardstickuseyardstick.comin𝕏Aug 2023

Yardstick develops soil carbon measurement technologies to reduce the cost of measuring soil organic carbon and enable evidence-based climate-positive agriculture practices.

AgTechCleantechClimate TechData & InfrastructureDover, US

Christopher Tolles(Executive Officer, Director)Kevin Meissner(Executive Officer, Director)

BoardLisa Coca(Director)in

Co-investorsBreakthrough Energy VenturesCultivian Sandbox VenturesLowercarbon CapitalPetriPillar VCExtantia Capital+1 more

Other

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

AltusBeamCountOnDiffitEddiEdlinkJoincountonManifestPalomaPeerteachTimely

Exits · 1

1 acquisitions

Droveracq. by Cazoo

Portfolio news

latest coverage across their companies

Frequently asked questions

How many investments has Workshop Venture Partners made?
Workshop Venture Partners has 38 tracked investments, 1 of which have exited, including 3 dated in the last 24 months.
What stage does Workshop Venture Partners invest at?
Workshop Venture Partners invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed stages.
What is Workshop Venture Partners's typical check size?
Workshop Venture Partners typically writes checks of $3M.
What sectors does Workshop Venture Partners focus on?
Workshop Venture Partners focuses on AI & Machine Learning, Climate Tech, EdTech, Energy, Healthtech.
Where is Workshop Venture Partners located?
Workshop Venture Partners is headquartered in San Francisco, US.
Does Workshop Venture Partners lead rounds?
Yes, Workshop Venture Partners leads investment rounds.
Who does Workshop Venture Partners co-invest with?
Workshop Venture Partners most often shares deals with Founder Collective, Samvid Ventures, Starshot, among 67 tracked co-investors.

Images

Workshop Venture Partners photoWorkshop Venture Partners photo

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