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IOVC, founded in 2013, is a micro-venture capital firm based in the United States. The firm specializes in investing in fractional founders—entrepreneurs who are transforming their part-time projects into full-time startups. The team consists of former founders who leverage their entrepreneurial experience to mentor and invest in these fractional founders. IOVC emphasizes the importance of supporting entrepreneurs who build for underserved users and customers, recognizing that many successful companies began as part-time ventures.
As of now, IOVC has made 53 investments, focusing primarily on early-stage startups in the SaaS sector. The firm operates with a check size range of $10,000 to $300,000, providing not only capital but also tailored support to help entrepreneurs validate their ideas before committing to full-time efforts. IOVC's notable portfolio includes companies like Instacart, Checkr, and GrubMarket, showcasing its successful track record in identifying promising startups.
IOVC's investment strategy is centered around early-stage startups, particularly those founded by fractional founders. The firm believes that many successful companies were initially developed part-time, and it aims to support these entrepreneurs by providing funding and tailored mentorship. IOVC focuses on the SaaS sector, investing in companies that address the needs of underserved markets. The check size ranges from $10,000 to $300,000, allowing for flexibility in supporting various stages of startup development.
The firm looks for founders who demonstrate a strong commitment to their ideas and possess the potential to scale their ventures. IOVC's unique thesis is to exclusively back fractional founders, helping them validate their concepts before transitioning to full-time entrepreneurship. This approach not only fosters innovation but also aligns with the firm's mission to empower part-time entrepreneurs in their journey toward building successful startups.
IOVC's portfolio includes a diverse range of companies, with notable investments in:
In addition to these companies, IOVC has a total of 53 investments, including four unicorns such as Instacart and GrubMarket, and has facilitated 12 acquisitions. This extensive portfolio highlights IOVC's commitment to supporting innovative startups in the SaaS sector and beyond.
Shuo Chen: General Partner with a background in entrepreneurship and investment.
Sandy Diao: General Partner, experienced in supporting early-stage startups.
Ben Smith: Venture Partner and Executive Senior Technical Advisor to CEO at Google, brings expertise in technology and scaling.
Colby Raden: Venture Partner and Executive Head of Global Growth Marketing at Meta, specializes in marketing strategies for startups.
David Jen: Venture Partner and Executive CFO at Google X, offers financial expertise to portfolio companies.
Dermot Mee: Venture Partner and Former COO at Singularity, experienced in operational scaling.
Eric Tan: Venture Partner and Former CIO at Coupa, focuses on technology-driven solutions.
Gina Loften: Venture Partner and Former CTO at Microsoft US, brings extensive tech industry experience.
Jason Conyard: Venture Partner and Former CIO at VMware, specializes in IT and operational strategies.
Joel Meek: Venture Partner and Executive VP of Finance & Ops at Reddit, offers insights into finance and operations.
Keith Enright: Venture Partner and Former Chief Privacy Officer at Google, focuses on compliance and privacy issues.
Mitesh Dhruv: Venture Partner and Former CFO at RingCentral, provides financial guidance.
Joris Poort: Venture Partner and Founder & CEO at Rescale, brings entrepreneurial experience.
Laks Srini: Venture Partner and Founder CTO at FlyHomes, specializes in technology solutions.
Mayank Mehta: Venture Partner and Founder & CEO at Pulse Q&A, experienced in startup growth.
Ryan Chan: Venture Partner and Founder & CEO at UpKeep, focuses on operational efficiency.
Paul Sun: Founding Investor from a family office, provides capital support.
Shef Wang: Founding Investor from a family office, involved in early-stage investments.
Wei Guo: Founding Investor from a family office, focuses on strategic investments.
Will Duan: Founding Investor from a family office, supports innovative startups.
Kathy Hua: Investor and part of the Fractional Fellowship, focuses on supporting fractional founders.
To pitch IOVC, founders should visit their website at iovc.io. The firm prefers pitches that include a clear business overview, market analysis, and validation strategies. While specific application forms are not mentioned, a well-structured pitch deck is essential. Response times may vary, but IOVC encourages warm introductions when possible to facilitate the process.
As of March 2026, IOVC has made a total of 53 investments, focusing on pre-seed and seed stages in the SaaS sector. The firm has successfully backed four unicorns, including Instacart and Checkr, and has facilitated 12 acquisitions. IOVC continues to emphasize its unique thesis of supporting fractional founders, which has positioned it as a notable player in the venture capital landscape.
Recent activity indicates that IOVC remains active in mentoring and supporting its portfolio companies, leveraging the extensive experience of its team members who are former founders. This ongoing involvement helps entrepreneurs navigate the complexities of scaling their startups.
What are IOVC's investment criteria?
IOVC invests in early-stage startups, particularly those founded by fractional founders. The firm focuses on the SaaS sector and looks for entrepreneurs who are developing solutions for underserved markets. Investments typically range from $10,000 to $300,000.
How can I pitch to IOVC?
Interested parties can pitch their ideas through IOVC's website at iovc.io. The firm encourages founders to provide a clear overview of their business model, market potential, and how they plan to validate their ideas.
What makes IOVC different from other investors?
IOVC exclusively backs fractional founders, which is a unique approach in the venture capital space. The firm emphasizes mentorship from experienced founders, providing tailored support to help entrepreneurs navigate the challenges of scaling their startups.
What is IOVC's geographic focus?
IOVC primarily invests in startups based in the United States, focusing on early-stage companies in the SaaS sector.
What is IOVC's post-investment involvement like?
IOVC provides ongoing mentorship and support to its portfolio companies, leveraging the experience of its team members who are former founders. This involvement helps entrepreneurs refine their strategies and scale their businesses effectively.
What is the typical check size for IOVC investments?
IOVC typically invests between $10,000 and $300,000 in its portfolio companies, allowing for flexibility based on the specific needs of each startup.
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