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Standard Capital is a venture capital firm based in San Francisco, founded in 2025 by Dalton Caldwell, Paul Buchheit, and Bryan Berg. The firm specializes in leading Series A funding rounds for startups that have achieved product-market fit (PMF). Standard Capital aims to simplify the fundraising process, allowing founders to focus on scaling their businesses rather than lengthy discussions with investors.
The firm operates with a fund size of $425 million, which was announced in September 2025. Standard Capital has a unique approach to funding, emphasizing a fast application and interview process that allows founders to propose their desired funding amount and valuation. This model eliminates the need for extensive investor meetings, making it easier for startups to secure the capital they need.
Standard Capital currently manages a portfolio of eight companies, focusing primarily on sectors such as AI, SaaS, fintech, healthcare, and biotech. The firm conducts quarterly funding cycles, selecting approximately five companies per cycle to invest in. This structured approach ensures that the firm can provide adequate support and resources to its portfolio companies.
Standard Capital invests in companies that have demonstrated product-market fit and are looking to scale. The firm primarily targets sectors including AI, SaaS, fintech, healthcare, and biotech. It operates on a quarterly funding cycle, selecting around five companies per cycle to invest in. The firm emphasizes a fast application and interview process, allowing startups to specify their desired funding amount and valuation.
Standard Capital does not take board seats or charge legal fees to its portfolio companies. Instead, it offers support through quarterly group meetings and office hours, fostering a collaborative environment among founders. The firm is particularly interested in companies that have shown real traction, a large market opportunity, and a high growth rate. Founders are encouraged to approach Standard Capital when they are ready to scale, rather than when they are still searching for product-market fit.
Standard Capital's portfolio includes several notable companies that exemplify its focus on AI and technology:
Dalton Caldwell: Co-Founder and General Partner at Standard Capital. Dalton has a background as a long-time Managing Partner at Y Combinator, where he gained extensive experience in guiding early-stage startups. He is known for his insights into the startup ecosystem and has authored multiple investment posts for Standard Capital.
Paul Buchheit: Co-Founder and General Partner at Standard Capital. Paul is the creator of Gmail and has been a longtime partner at Y Combinator. He has invested in several successful startups, including OpenAI, and is recognized for his expertise in AI and technology.
Bryan Berg: Co-Founder and General Partner at Standard Capital. Bryan has a background in infrastructure and security at Stripe, where he played a key role in the company's early development. He brings valuable operational experience to the firm and is involved in shaping Standard Capital's investment strategy.
To pitch Standard Capital, founders should visit the application page at standardcap.com/apply. The firm prefers a fast application and interview process, allowing startups to specify their desired funding amount and valuation. Founders should include key metrics, growth projections, and a clear explanation of their product-market fit in their pitch deck.
Standard Capital does not require warm introductions, making it accessible for founders to apply directly. The firm aims to respond to on-time applicants promptly, typically within a few weeks of the application deadline.
In April 2026, Standard Capital announced its latest funding cycle, inviting applications for Series A investments. The firm emphasized its commitment to a fast application process, allowing founders to propose their desired funding amounts and valuations.
Standard Capital has also been actively promoting its unique funding approach, highlighting the absence of board seats and legal fees for portfolio companies. This strategy aims to ease the fundraising burden on founders and streamline the investment process.
What are Standard Capital's investment criteria?
Standard Capital focuses on startups that have achieved product-market fit and are looking to scale. The firm is particularly interested in companies in the AI, SaaS, fintech, healthcare, and biotech sectors.
How can startups apply or pitch to Standard Capital?
Startups can apply through the Standard Capital application page at standardcap.com/apply. The firm emphasizes a fast application and interview process.
What makes Standard Capital different from other VC firms?
Standard Capital does not take board seats or charge legal fees to its portfolio companies. Instead, it offers support through quarterly group meetings and office hours, allowing founders to maintain control over their companies.
What is the typical check size for investments?
While specific check sizes are not disclosed, public portfolio examples indicate that Standard Capital invests between $6 million and $16 million in Series A rounds.
What is the geographic focus of Standard Capital?
The firm primarily focuses on startups based in the United States, particularly those within the San Francisco network. However, portfolio founders do not need to reside in San Francisco.
What kind of post-investment involvement does Standard Capital have?
Standard Capital provides support through quarterly group meetings and office hours, fostering a collaborative environment among portfolio companies without taking board seats.
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