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SNR is a venture capital firm founded by Kevin Mahaffey and Amit Gupta. Established with a vision to support ambitious founders, SNR operates under the belief that transformative companies enhance global productivity. The firm focuses on innovations in artificial intelligence, software automation, robotics, and biotechnology. SNR aims to be the first believer in audacious ideas that may seem far-fetched today but will be recognized as essential in the future.
Currently, SNR manages a portfolio of three notable companies and operates globally, with a strong presence in North America and Europe. The firm is committed to fostering long-term partnerships with its portfolio companies, leveraging the extensive experience of its founders in building and scaling technology ventures. SNR's investment philosophy emphasizes the importance of reducing the cost of living on Earth through technological advancements.
As of 2026, SNR has established itself as a key player in the early-stage investment landscape, actively seeking opportunities that align with its mission. The firm operates through SNR Ventures Management, LP, and is recognized for its strategic approach to investing in sectors that promise significant productivity gains and address major societal challenges.
SNR invests in early-stage companies across several sectors, including artificial intelligence, robotics, biotechnology, and cybersecurity. The firm targets investments at the pre-seed, seed, Series A, and select Series B stages, focusing on businesses that leverage technology to create substantial productivity improvements. SNR's investment strategy is centered around supporting founders who pursue ambitious and innovative ideas that may appear audacious today but will be seen as obvious in retrospect.
The firm is particularly interested in companies that address significant challenges in society and enhance global productivity. SNR's thesis emphasizes the belief that transformative companies can dramatically reduce the cost of living on Earth through advancements in technology. This perspective drives the firm's investment decisions and shapes its engagement with portfolio companies.
Geographically, SNR maintains a global focus, with a strong emphasis on North America and Europe. The firm seeks to partner with technical teams that are tackling large, non-consensus productivity bottlenecks, ensuring that their investments align with their overarching mission of fostering innovation and growth in high-impact sectors.
SNR's portfolio includes three notable companies that exemplify its investment thesis:
Additionally, SNR has participated in funding rounds for other promising startups:
These investments reflect SNR's commitment to supporting innovative companies that are poised to make significant impacts in their respective fields.
Kevin Mahaffey - Co-founder: Kevin has a background in cybersecurity, having co-founded Lookout before transitioning to venture capital. He began investing in startups in 2013 and has served as a part-time partner at Y Combinator. His investment experience includes notable companies such as Lattice, People.ai, Airtable, Benchling, and Sublime Security.
Amit Gupta - Co-founder: Amit has held leadership roles at Qualcomm, INQ Mobile, Lookout, and Benchling. He focuses on concentrated early-stage investing and provides hands-on support for technical founders. His expertise lies in identifying and nurturing innovative startups that align with SNR's mission.
Holly Mishcut - Chief of Staff: Holly plays an operational role at SNR, supporting the firm's internal processes and ensuring smooth operations.
Tyler Davidson - Employee: Tyler is listed as an employee at SNR, with specific role details not disclosed in available sources.
To pitch SNR, founders should visit their website at snr.vc for guidance on the application process. While specific details regarding pitch submissions are not publicly disclosed, it is advisable to include a clear articulation of the startup's vision, technology, and market potential in any pitch materials.
Founders should be prepared for a potentially lengthy decision timeline, as SNR evaluates opportunities based on their alignment with the firm's investment thesis. Warm introductions may be beneficial, but the firm does not explicitly state a preference for them.
In 2025, SNR led a $3.7M seed round for DianaHR, an AI-powered HR-as-a-service platform for SMBs. This investment highlights SNR's commitment to supporting innovative solutions in the HR technology space.
Additionally, SNR participated in a $26M Series B round for Seqera, a scientific software and bioinformatics infrastructure company, further demonstrating the firm's focus on biotechnology and productivity-enhancing technologies.
In June 2025, SNR was reported as a major investor in Coco Robotics, which raised $80M to expand its fleet of autonomous delivery robots operating in the US and Europe. This investment aligns with SNR's thesis of supporting transformative technologies that enhance logistics and efficiency.
What are SNR's investment criteria?
SNR focuses on early-stage companies in sectors such as AI, robotics, biotechnology, and cybersecurity. The firm seeks businesses that leverage technology to enhance productivity and address major societal challenges.
How can I pitch to SNR?
Founders interested in pitching to SNR should visit their website at snr.vc for more information on the application process. Specific details regarding pitch submissions are not publicly disclosed.
What makes SNR different from other venture capital firms?
SNR distinguishes itself by its commitment to transformative technologies and its focus on early-stage investments. The firm aims to be the first believer in audacious ideas that may seem far-fetched today but will be recognized as essential in the future.
What is SNR's geographic focus?
SNR has a global investment strategy, with a strong emphasis on North America and Europe. The firm actively seeks opportunities in these regions to support innovative startups.
What is SNR's approach to post-investment involvement?
SNR adds value to its portfolio companies by providing strategic guidance and leveraging the extensive experience of its founders. The firm fosters a network of industry connections that can help accelerate growth.
What is the typical check size for SNR's investments?
Specific check sizes are not disclosed, but SNR invests at various early stages, including pre-seed, seed, Series A, and select Series B rounds.
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