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Slow Ventures is a generalist early-stage venture capital firm based in San Francisco, founded in 2009 by Facebook alum Dave Morin. The firm is currently led by General Partner Sam Lessin and Managing Director Kevin Colleran. With a focus on the intersection of technology, science, society, and culture, Slow Ventures has deployed over $500 million into early-stage companies. The firm is actively raising $275 million across two new funds, including a dedicated $60 million Creator Fund launched in February 2025. Slow Ventures is known for its innovative approach to investing, particularly its emphasis on direct investments in people, allowing entrepreneurs to retain more ownership and skip early funding rounds. This unique strategy positions Slow Ventures as a pioneer in the venture capital landscape, particularly as the firm explores frontier opportunities in sectors such as crypto, space, and new business models.
Slow Ventures adopts a generalist investment approach, focusing on early-stage opportunities across various sectors, including artificial intelligence (AI), consumer products, software as a service (SaaS), and web3 technologies. The firm is particularly interested in investments where technology intersects with science, society, and culture. A distinctive aspect of Slow Ventures' strategy is its direct investment in people, utilizing structured C Corporation vehicles for entrepreneurs and revenue-share agreements for creators. This innovative model allows founders to bypass traditional funding rounds, thereby retaining more equity in their companies. Sam Lessin, a key figure at the firm, has articulated a contrarian view that traditional software venture capital is waning, prompting Slow Ventures to seek out more adventurous opportunities in emerging fields such as cryptocurrency, space exploration, and novel business models. The firm typically invests between $500,000 and $3 million, with a sweet spot around $1.5 million at the seed stage, making it a suitable partner for startups looking to scale rapidly.
Slow Ventures boasts a diverse portfolio of 78 companies, including notable investments in high-profile startups such as Venmo, Airtable, MakerBot, Birchbox, Opendoor, Shippo, and Teamshares. The firm has successfully backed two unicorns and facilitated two initial public offerings (IPOs), along with 24 acquisitions. In the cryptocurrency space, Slow Ventures has made early investments in significant projects like Solana, Algorand, Ripple Labs, Aleo, and Lightning Labs. The firm’s commitment to the creator economy is underscored by the launch of its dedicated $60 million Creator Fund, which aims to support businesses within this rapidly growing sector. This extensive portfolio reflects Slow Ventures' strategic focus on innovative companies that are poised to disrupt traditional markets and create lasting impact.
Sam Lessin — Co-Founder, General Partner. Former VP at Facebook and founder of Fin, Lessin is a key figure in shaping the firm’s investment strategy.
Kevin Colleran — Co-Founder, Managing Director. Also an ex-Facebook executive, Colleran brings extensive experience in early-stage investments.
Megan Lightcap — Investor, co-leads the Creator Fund, focusing on investments in the creator economy.
To pitch Slow Ventures, founders should visit their contact page at slow.co/contact/. The firm welcomes both warm introductions and cold applications. A successful pitch should clearly articulate the business model, market opportunity, and how the startup aligns with Slow Ventures' focus on innovative technologies and direct investment in people.
In recent activity, Slow Ventures is raising $275 million across Fund VI and an Opportunity Fund, with a focus on early-stage investments. Additionally, they launched a dedicated $60 million Creator Fund in February 2025 to support businesses in the creator economy.
Slow Ventures primarily invests in early-stage companies, focusing on pre-seed, seed, and Series A rounds. This allows them to engage with startups at critical points in their development, providing essential capital and support.
Founders can pitch Slow Ventures through their contact page at slow.co/contact/. The firm is open to both warm introductions and cold applications, but a clear and compelling presentation of the business idea is essential.
Slow Ventures has a generalist approach but emphasizes investments in sectors such as AI, consumer products, SaaS, and web3 technologies. They are particularly interested in areas where technology intersects with science and culture.
The firm typically invests between $500,000 and $3 million in early-stage companies, with an average check size around $1.5 million at the seed stage.
Slow Ventures primarily focuses on investments within North America, with offices located in San Francisco, Boston, and New York.
Slow Ventures offers a unique community built on collective experience and curiosity, providing entrepreneurs with access to a deep network and resources that can help them navigate the challenges of scaling their businesses.
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