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Marathon Fund is a venture capital firm founded by Sandy Naidu in San Francisco, focusing on pre-seed and seed stage investments. Established with a fund size of $10 million, Marathon Fund has made over 50 investments in various companies, primarily in the United States. The firm emphasizes backing founders who demonstrate endurance and commitment in their ventures, particularly in sectors such as health, future of work, and global mobility.
The fund has evolved from a network of angel investments into a structured venture fund, reflecting a commitment to supporting innovative companies poised to make significant impacts in their respective fields. Marathon Fund's portfolio includes notable companies like Flora, Fuelin, and Anthropic, showcasing its focus on health and AI technologies. The firm has attracted investments from prominent firms such as a16z Crypto, Tiger Global, and Y Combinator, further solidifying its reputation in the venture capital landscape.
Marathon Fund operates with a collaborative approach, providing not only capital but also strategic support to its portfolio companies. The firm is based in the United States and continues to seek out opportunities that align with its investment thesis, focusing on long-term growth and sustainability.
Marathon Fund invests in early-stage companies across three primary themes: Health, Future of Work, and Global Mobility. In the health sector, the fund targets areas such as fertility, nutrition, performance optimization, and longevity. The future of work theme includes investments in AI-native productivity tools and platforms that enhance team collaboration. Global mobility investments focus on cross-border infrastructure and immigration technology.
The firm typically invests between $25,000 and $250,000 in companies with post-money valuations of less than $10 million. This investment strategy allows Marathon Fund to engage with a diverse range of startups, particularly those that align with its focus on health, AI, and global mobility. The firm seeks founders who demonstrate resilience and a commitment to building impactful solutions in these sectors.
Marathon Fund's investment thesis emphasizes backing founders who are building for the long run, particularly in industries that are poised for growth and transformation. The firm is open to exploring innovative ideas that leverage technology to address pressing challenges in health and productivity.
Marathon Fund has made over 50 investments in various companies, showcasing its commitment to early-stage ventures. Notable portfolio companies include:
These investments reflect Marathon Fund's focus on sectors that align with its investment thesis, particularly in health and AI. The firm continues to seek out opportunities that resonate with its commitment to supporting resilient founders and innovative solutions.
Sandy Naidu serves as the Managing General Partner of Marathon Fund. He has a background in operations and investment, having previously worked at Shopify and Schwab. Sandy has also gained experience in diligence and investment with Hustle Fund and a16z Crypto. His expertise spans health, future of work, global mobility, and AI/blockchain infrastructure.
Under Sandy's leadership, Marathon Fund has developed a strong focus on supporting resilient founders and innovative solutions in the venture capital space. His experience as an operator and investor positions him well to guide portfolio companies through their growth journeys.
Marathon Fund's team is committed to providing strategic support and resources to its portfolio founders, leveraging their collective experience to help startups navigate challenges and achieve their goals.
To pitch Marathon Fund, founders should use the online nomination form available at https://marathonfund.vc/nominate. The firm prefers detailed submissions that clearly outline the startup's vision, market potential, and alignment with Marathon Fund's investment focus on health, future of work, and global mobility.
In the pitch deck, founders should include information about their team, product, market analysis, and financial projections. A concise and compelling narrative that demonstrates the startup's potential for growth is essential.
Response times may vary, but founders can expect to hear back after their submission. Warm introductions are not required but can be beneficial in establishing credibility.
In April 2026, Marathon Fund participated in a seed round for Flora Fertility, contributing to a total funding of $5 million. This investment aligns with the firm's focus on health and fertility solutions, showcasing its commitment to supporting innovative companies in this sector.
Marathon Fund continues to actively seek out new investment opportunities, particularly in the health, AI, and global mobility sectors. The firm remains engaged with its portfolio companies, providing ongoing support and resources to help them scale and succeed.
What are Marathon Fund's investment criteria?
Marathon Fund focuses on pre-seed and seed stage companies, primarily in the health, future of work, and global mobility sectors. The firm typically invests between $25,000 and $250,000 in companies with post-money valuations of less than $10 million.
How can I pitch to Marathon Fund?
Founders can pitch to Marathon Fund by submitting their proposals through the online nomination form available at https://marathonfund.vc/nominate or by emailing sandy@marathonfund.vc. The firm operates on a rolling application cycle.
What makes Marathon Fund different from other VCs?
Marathon Fund emphasizes a collaborative approach, providing not only capital but also strategic support to its portfolio companies. The firm seeks to back founders who demonstrate endurance and commitment, aligning with its investment thesis of building for the long run.
What is the geographic focus of Marathon Fund?
The firm primarily invests in companies based in the United States, with a particular interest in global mobility and cross-border themes.
What is the decision timeline for investments?
The decision timeline for investments is not publicly disclosed, but founders can expect a response after submitting their pitch through the designated channels.
Does Marathon Fund provide follow-on investments?
While specific details on follow-on investments are not disclosed, Marathon Fund's collaborative approach suggests that they may consider additional funding for portfolio companies that demonstrate growth and potential.
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