Discover if this is a suitable investor for your startup. If they are we'll make a warm introduction for free. Otherwise, we'll connect you with matching investors.
Inner Loop Capital is a pre-seed and seed venture capital firm founded in 2014 and based in Baltimore, Maryland. The firm focuses on supporting technical founders in the fields of cybersecurity, infrastructure, and artificial intelligence (AI). Inner Loop Capital has been managing investments on behalf of limited partners in a series of funds since 2019, emphasizing the importance of technical expertise in its founders.
The firm operates as a solo-GP model under the leadership of Managing Director Justin Label. Inner Loop Capital has built a notable portfolio of 41 companies, showcasing its active investment strategy. The firm has established a presence that spans from San Francisco to Israel, indicating a broad geographic reach within the U.S. market.
Inner Loop Capital's investment strategy is centered around the belief that practitioners in cybersecurity, infrastructure, and AI are best positioned to identify market opportunities and build successful companies. The firm has achieved notable exits, including PerfectScale, SaaS Alerts, and Clean.io, further solidifying its reputation in the venture capital space.
Inner Loop Capital primarily invests in the sectors of cybersecurity, infrastructure, and AI. The firm targets early-stage investments, specifically pre-seed and seed rounds, with a check size typically ranging from $250,000 to $1 million. The firm emphasizes the importance of technical expertise among founders, believing that those with backgrounds in these fields are best equipped to identify market opportunities and build successful companies.
The firm's investment thesis revolves around the dual opportunity of 'AI for Infra and Infra for AI' within the approximately $600 billion Infrastructure Software sector. This focus allows Inner Loop Capital to strategically position itself in a rapidly evolving market, where advancements in AI are driving significant changes in infrastructure and cybersecurity.
Inner Loop Capital actively supports its portfolio companies through mentorship and connections to industry resources, leveraging its strong network of strategic advisors from leading tech companies. This approach enhances the firm's ability to add value to its investments and foster growth among its portfolio companies.
Inner Loop Capital has built a diverse portfolio of 41 companies, focusing on cybersecurity, infrastructure, and AI. Notable portfolio companies include:
Additional companies from previous funds include:
Justin Label: Managing Director. Justin has been instrumental in leading Inner Loop Capital since its inception. He has a background in venture capital and has been active in the tech community, frequently participating in industry events such as the RAISE Global Summit.
Ron Gula: Strategic Advisor. Founder of Tenable, Ron brings extensive experience in cybersecurity and has been a key advisor to Inner Loop Capital.
Ray Rothrock: Strategic Advisor. Partner Emeritus at Venrock, Ray has a wealth of knowledge in venture capital and technology investments.
Gerhard Eschelbeck: Strategic Advisor. Former CISO at Google, Gerhard provides insights into security and infrastructure challenges.
John Stewart: Strategic Advisor. Former Chief Trust and Security Officer at Cisco, John offers expertise in trust and security matters.
Shelley Liebowitz: Strategic Advisor. Former Group Chief Information Officer at the World Bank, Shelley contributes a global perspective on technology and governance.
Jerry Perullo: Strategic Advisor. Former CISO of ICE, Jerry adds depth in cybersecurity strategy.
Bryson Bort: Strategic Advisor. Founder of GRIMM and SCYTHE, Bryson is known for his work in cybersecurity innovation.
Nate Fick: Strategic Advisor. Former U.S. Cyber Ambassador, Nate provides insights into national security and technology.
Dave Merkel: Strategic Advisor. Former CTO of FireEye, Dave brings extensive experience in cybersecurity technology.
Sounil Yu: Strategic Advisor. Former Chief Security Scientist at Bank of America, Sounil offers expertise in security science.
Chris Petersen: Strategic Advisor. Co-founder and former CEO of LogRhythm, Chris has a strong background in security solutions.
Bill Murphy: Strategic Advisor. Former CTO at Blackstone, Bill provides insights into technology investments.
Bill Karpovich: Strategic Advisor. Former GM at IBM Cloud and Watson, Bill has extensive experience in cloud technology.
Brendan O’Connor: Strategic Advisor. Former Chief Security Officer at Salesforce, Brendan adds depth in security strategy.
Grant Geyer: Strategic Advisor. Chief Product Officer at Claroty, Grant has a strong background in product development and security.
To pitch Inner Loop Capital, founders should visit [innerloopcap.com](https://innerloopcap.com/) and submit their applications through the contact page. The firm prefers concise decks that clearly outline the business model, market opportunity, and team qualifications. Founders should include relevant metrics and milestones achieved to date.
Response times can vary, but founders can expect to hear back within a few weeks. Warm introductions are encouraged, as they can facilitate a more favorable review process.
On March 19, 2026, Inner Loop Capital published updates on their firm and portfolio, highlighting recent investments and strategic initiatives. The firm has been active in the venture capital space, with a notable focus on cybersecurity and AI.
In November 2025, Inner Loop Capital participated in a $150 million Series C funding round for Sublime Security, co-led by Georgian. This investment reflects the firm's commitment to supporting innovative companies in the cybersecurity sector.
Inner Loop Capital also announced the exit of PerfectScale in January 2025, which was acquired by DoiT. This exit provided a meaningful return for the firm in a short 16-month hold.
Additionally, the firm has been involved in several recent funding rounds, including a $13 million Series A for ClearVector in May 2025 and a $10 million seed round for Synthesize Bio in September 2025.
What are Inner Loop Capital's investment criteria?
Inner Loop Capital focuses on pre-seed and seed stage investments in cybersecurity, infrastructure, and AI. The firm seeks technical founders who have a strong understanding of their respective fields.
How can I pitch to Inner Loop Capital?
Founders can pitch their startups by visiting the firm's website at [innerloopcap.com](https://innerloopcap.com/). The firm encourages direct applications through their contact page.
What makes Inner Loop Capital different from other VC firms?
Inner Loop Capital emphasizes technical expertise among its founders and has a strong network of strategic advisors from leading tech companies, which enhances the support provided to portfolio companies.
What is the geographic scope of Inner Loop Capital's investments?
The firm primarily invests in the United States, with a notable presence in Baltimore and expanding activities in San Francisco.
What is the typical check size for investments?
Inner Loop Capital typically invests between $250,000 and $1 million in pre-seed and seed rounds, with potential follow-on investments in Series A rounds.
What kind of post-investment involvement does Inner Loop Capital have?
Inner Loop Capital actively supports its portfolio companies through mentorship, strategic connections, and access to industry resources, helping founders navigate challenges and scale their businesses.
All trademarks, logos and brand names are the property of their respective owners. All company, product and service names used in this website are for identification purposes only. Use of these names, trademarks, and brands does not imply endorsement.