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Topology Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm founded to invest in emerging technologies. Established with a mission to simplify complex data through a mathematical technique known as topological dimension reduction, the firm collaborates closely with technologists to drive innovation. The firm launched after a seven-month stealth period and closed its first fund in December 2024, raising $75 million, which was three times oversubscribed.
As of now, Topology Ventures has made six investments, including a notable stealth-mode AI startup backed by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z). The firm operates with a solo General Partner structure, led by Casey Caruso, who has a background in engineering and investment from notable firms such as Google and Paradigm. The firm’s anchor limited partners include Cendana Capital and Accolade Partners, alongside prominent figures like Marc Andreessen and Chris Dixon.
Topology Ventures invests primarily in sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, autonomous discovery, and neurotechnology. The firm is particularly selective in its partnerships, emphasizing a strong network and deep technical expertise to drive impactful advancements. Their investment strategy targets startups that can make significant contributions to what they describe as 'frontier tech,' which includes areas like decentralized networks and aerospace.
The firm seeks to partner with technologists who possess a profound understanding of their fields, as Casey Caruso believes that a deep technical grasp is essential in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. Topology Ventures focuses on early-stage investments, specifically in pre-seed, seed, and Series A rounds, although specific check sizes have not been disclosed.
Topology Ventures has made six investments as of December 2024, although specific names of portfolio companies are largely undisclosed. One confirmed investment is a stealth-mode AI startup that specializes in inference-time compute and reasoning capabilities, which is also backed by a16z. The firm has a history of prior angel investments, including notable companies like Databricks.
While the complete portfolio remains under wraps, the firm’s focus on sectors such as AI and robotics indicates a commitment to supporting companies that are at the forefront of technological innovation. Their investment strategy aligns with their thesis of advancing the intersection of technology and humanity.
Casey Caruso - Founder and Managing Partner. At age 31 at the fund's close, Caruso has a background as a former Google engineer specializing in UX and machine learning research systems. She previously worked as an investor at Paradigm, where she focused on investments in high-profile companies such as Coinbase and Uniswap. Caruso has also been a part-time investor at Bessemer Venture Partners and has over eight years of experience in sectors including brain-computer interfaces and decentralized protocols.
Hunter Harloff - Research. Harloff has a background in finance and research, previously working at Citadel, where he honed his analytical skills in a high-stakes environment.
Austin Echtenkamp - Operations & Finance. Echtenkamp comes from a background in operations at Coinbase, where he gained experience in managing financial operations within a leading cryptocurrency exchange.
To pitch Topology Ventures, founders should send an email to info@topology.vc. It is recommended to include a concise pitch deck that outlines the startup's mission, technology, market opportunity, and team background. While specific response time expectations are not provided, founders should anticipate a thorough review process given the firm's selective nature.
Warm introductions are preferred, especially from individuals within their network or those who can vouch for the startup's potential. This can enhance the chances of receiving a timely response and consideration for investment.
Topology Ventures offers several public goods aimed at enhancing the understanding of emerging technologies. These include:
These resources are designed to provide insights and support for startups operating in these sectors.
In December 2024, Topology Ventures announced the closing of its first fund at $75 million, which was oversubscribed by three times. This fund marks a significant milestone for the firm, which has made six investments to date, including a stealth-mode AI startup that is also backed by a16z.
Casey Caruso's previous angel investments include notable companies like Databricks, showcasing her track record in identifying promising startups. The firm has gained attention for its focus on frontier technologies and its strong network of limited partners, including influential figures from the venture capital space.
What are Topology Ventures' investment criteria?
Topology Ventures focuses on early-stage investments in sectors like AI, robotics, and neurotechnology. They look for startups that demonstrate strong technical expertise and innovative solutions that can significantly impact their respective fields.
How can I pitch to Topology Ventures?
Founders can reach out via email at info@topology.vc. It is advisable to include a clear overview of the startup, the problem it addresses, and the technology behind it in the pitch deck.
What makes Topology Ventures different from other VCs?
Topology Ventures emphasizes a deep technical understanding of the sectors they invest in, which they believe is crucial for navigating the fast-paced changes in technology. Their strong network, including ties to a16z and other tier-1 VCs, enhances their deal flow and partnership opportunities.
What is the geographic scope of Topology Ventures?
While specific geographic preferences are not detailed, the firm is focused on emerging technologies that can have a global impact, suggesting a broad geographic interest.
What is the typical check size for investments?
Specific check sizes have not been disclosed, but Topology Ventures invests in pre-seed, seed, and Series A rounds, indicating a range that typically aligns with early-stage funding.
What kind of post-investment involvement can founders expect?
Topology Ventures is known for its strong network and technical expertise, which can provide valuable resources and mentorship to portfolio companies. However, specific details on post-investment involvement are not publicly available.
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