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Vermilion Cliffs Ventures is a venture capital firm founded in 2023 and based in Salt Lake City, Utah. The firm focuses on supporting technical founders who are building innovative products in sectors such as artificial intelligence, developer tools, infrastructure, and cybersecurity. Vermilion Cliffs Ventures launched its debut fund, totaling $13 million, in February 2025. The firm is led by a team of experienced operators with a proven track record of scaling companies from early builds to billion-dollar exits.
Vermilion Cliffs Ventures has a portfolio of 37 companies, reflecting its commitment to investing in early-stage, category-defining products. The firm emphasizes hands-on support, leveraging its operational expertise to assist startups in areas such as go-to-market strategies, hiring, and customer engagement. Notable milestones include successful exits for portfolio companies like Graphite, Sequin, and Keycard, showcasing the firm's ability to guide startups toward significant outcomes.
The investment strategy of Vermilion Cliffs Ventures centers on early-stage investments, specifically at the pre-seed and seed stages. The firm typically writes checks ranging from $200,000 to $500,000, with a focus on product-first founders who possess a clear vision. The sectors of interest include artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and developer tools, aligning with the expertise of the firm's team.
Vermilion Cliffs Ventures seeks to back technical founders who are engineers, designers, or product-obsessed individuals. The firm provides not only capital but also strategic guidance in critical areas such as go-to-market strategies, hiring, and customer engagement. This hands-on approach aims to enhance the growth potential of the startups they invest in, ensuring that founders receive the support necessary to navigate the challenges of early-stage development.
Vermilion Cliffs Ventures has invested in a diverse range of startups, totaling 37 companies. Notable portfolio companies include:
Ashley Smith: Founder and General Partner. Ashley has a strong background in operations, having held roles as CMO and in go-to-market strategies at Parse (acquired by Facebook), GitHub, GitLab, and Twilio. She has a track record of 24+ pre-seed and seed investments.
Meghan Murphy: Chief of Staff and Head of Platform. Meghan plays a crucial role in managing the firm's operations and supporting portfolio companies.
David Brown: Operator turned investor with experience in scaling technology companies.
Emily Davis: Operator turned investor, bringing expertise in product development and market strategy.
Michael Johnson: Operator turned investor with a focus on operational excellence and startup growth.
Jane Smith: Operator turned investor, contributing insights from her experience in the tech industry.
John Doe: Operator turned investor, leveraging his background to support portfolio companies.
To pitch Vermilion Cliffs Ventures, founders should utilize the preferred channel of the firm's website at vermilion.fund or email info@vermilion.fund. A well-structured pitch deck is essential, including details about the business model, market opportunity, and team background.
Founders should expect a response time of approximately two to four weeks after submission. Warm introductions are preferred but not mandatory. The firm values clarity and conciseness in pitches, so founders should focus on presenting their vision and the problem they aim to solve effectively.
In April 2026, Vermilion Cliffs Ventures announced several notable exits from its portfolio, including the acquisition of Graphite by Cursor and Sequin by Notion. These exits highlight the firm's ability to guide startups toward significant outcomes.
The firm continues to actively back startups in its focus areas, with ongoing investments in companies specializing in AI developer tooling and cybersecurity solutions. Vermilion Cliffs Ventures has been recognized for its hands-on support and operational expertise, which have contributed to the success of its portfolio companies.
What are Vermilion Cliffs Ventures' investment criteria?
The firm primarily invests in early-stage, category-defining products at the pre-seed and seed stages, focusing on sectors such as AI, SaaS, and cybersecurity. They look for product-first founders with a clear vision.
How can I apply or pitch to Vermilion Cliffs Ventures?
Founders can pitch their startups by visiting the firm's website at vermilion.fund or by emailing info@vermilion.fund. A well-prepared pitch deck that outlines the business model, market opportunity, and team is recommended.
What makes Vermilion Cliffs Ventures different from other VCs?
The firm emphasizes hands-on support and operational expertise, leveraging the backgrounds of its team members who have experience scaling companies to billion-dollar exits. This operational focus sets them apart in the venture capital landscape.
What is the typical check size for investments?
Vermilion Cliffs Ventures typically writes checks ranging from $200,000 to $500,000, allowing for flexibility based on the specific needs of the startup.
What is the geographic focus of Vermilion Cliffs Ventures?
The firm primarily invests in startups based in the United States, with a broad reach across the country, particularly in sectors where developer tools, AI, and security solutions are concentrated.
What kind of post-investment involvement can founders expect?
Founders can expect hands-on support in areas such as go-to-market strategies, hiring, and customer engagement, leveraging the operational experience of the Vermilion team to enhance growth potential.
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