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ff Venture Capital (ffVC) is a venture capital firm founded in 2008 by John Frankel, with offices in New York City and Warsaw, Poland. The firm has established itself as a significant player in the seed and early-stage investment landscape, focusing on emerging industries such as artificial intelligence, robotics, manufacturing, energy, and security. Since its inception, ffVC has funded over 300 companies, including three unicorns: Addepar, Socure, and Standard, along with two IPOs and 39 acquisitions.
As of now, ffVC has raised a total of $383.7 million across ten funds, including the ff Red & White fund, which connects Central and Eastern European (CEE) deep-tech companies with Japanese multinationals. The firm boasts a five times higher Series B graduation rate compared to the industry average, highlighting its effective investment strategy and support for portfolio companies.
ff Venture Capital specializes in seed and Series A investments, providing check sizes ranging from $1 million to $25 million. The firm primarily targets sectors such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, energy, fintech, industrial, proptech, robotics, and software as a service (SaaS). ffVC has made 87 investments in the United States and 10 in Poland, reflecting its bi-continental investment strategy.
The firm emphasizes a rigorous due diligence process, reviewing approximately 3,000 deals annually and investing in only 5% of those. ffVC seeks visionary founders who are addressing critical challenges and disrupting traditional markets, particularly in emerging industries. Its operational expertise is bolstered by a 20+ person acceleration team, which provides deep support to portfolio companies.
ff Venture Capital has a diverse portfolio of over 300 companies, with 179 currently active. Notable companies in its portfolio include:
Recent investments include Microamp Solutions in September 2025, Civ Robotics with a $7.5 million Series A round in July 2025, and DBR77 Robotics at the seed stage.
John Frankel: Founder and Partner, with extensive experience in venture capital and a background in technology investments.
Alex Katz: Partner based in the US, specializing in early-stage investments and operational support.
Avery Ersztein: Partner in the US, focusing on technology-driven startups.
Don Basile: Partner in the US, with a strong track record in venture capital.
Katie Weiss: Principal in the US, involved in sourcing and evaluating investment opportunities.
Maciej Skarul: Partner in Poland, focusing on CEE investments and market expansion.
Mariusz Adamski: Partner in Poland, with expertise in technology and innovation.
Masayuki Ohta: Partner in Japan, facilitating connections between CEE startups and Japanese corporates.
Michael J. Woods: Partner in the US, with a focus on operational excellence in portfolio companies.
Taro Hizume: Partner in Japan, supporting cross-border investments and partnerships.
To pitch to ff Venture Capital, startups should use the contact form available at ffvc.com/contact/ or email their pitch deck to contact@ffvc.com. It is advisable to include a concise overview of the business, market analysis, and financial projections in the pitch deck. Response times may vary, but founders should expect to hear back within a few weeks.
ff Venture Capital runs several initiatives to support its portfolio companies, including the bi-monthly newsletter, Gives Asks News (G/A/N), which provides updates on opportunities, resources, and insights in the tech and venture capital space. This program aims to keep founders informed and connected within the industry.
ff Venture Capital has been active in the investment space, with five notable investments in the last twelve months. Recent investments include Microamp Solutions on September 16, 2025, and a $7.5 million Series A investment in Civ Robotics in July 2025. The firm continues to expand its portfolio, which now includes over 300 companies, with a strong emphasis on sectors like AI, cybersecurity, and fintech.
Q? What are ff Venture Capital's investment criteria?
A: ffVC invests in seed and early-stage companies, focusing on sectors like AI, cybersecurity, fintech, and robotics. They typically provide check sizes between $1 million and $25 million.
Q? How can startups apply or pitch to ff Venture Capital?
A: Startups can pitch to ffVC through their website at ffvc.com/contact/ or via email at contact@ffvc.com.
Q? What makes ff Venture Capital different from other firms?
A: ffVC has a bi-continental presence with offices in New York and Warsaw, providing deep operational expertise and a strong focus on emerging industries. They also have a high Series B graduation rate compared to the industry average.
Q? What is ff Venture Capital's geographic scope?
A: ffVC primarily invests in the United States and Poland, with a focus on Central European exposure.
Q? What is ff Venture Capital's post-investment involvement like?
A: The firm has a 20+ person acceleration team that provides operational support and resources to portfolio companies, enhancing their growth potential.
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