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Very Serious Ventures is a venture capital firm founded to support early-stage startups in the United States. Established in 2021 or 2022, the firm is headquartered in San Francisco, California. The organization has a strong emphasis on investing in people and ideas that its partners admire, reflecting a commitment to community impact. All returns from limited partners are donated to charity, showcasing their belief in making positive contributions to society.
The firm has a portfolio of 50 companies, with a focus on sectors such as fintech, web3, AI, healthcare, and consumer technology. Very Serious Ventures has made over 250 investments, including notable names like BetterUp, Calm, and Eventbrite. Their approach is characterized by a supportive environment for founders, providing strategic guidance and fostering innovation.
Very Serious Ventures primarily invests in early-stage startups across various sectors, including fintech, web3, AI, healthcare, and consumer technology. The firm targets pre-seed, seed, and seed-plus stages, with a check size that aligns with early-stage funding needs. Their investment strategy emphasizes a supportive approach, aiming to empower founders and contribute positively to the community.
The organization has made significant investments in over 250 startups, with recent additions including Alga Biosciences, Antara Health, and Mental. Very Serious Ventures seeks to partner with founders who share their vision for impactful innovation. Their commitment to donating all returns from limited partners to charity further distinguishes their investment philosophy, aligning financial success with social responsibility.
Very Serious Ventures has a diverse portfolio of notable companies, including:
Recent investments include companies such as Alga Biosciences, Anansii, Antara Health, Appa, Atlas Wearable, Bluesky, Carecubes, Elm AI, Mental, and SolarCycle, indicating ongoing engagement in the startup ecosystem.
Joe Greenstein: Partner/Co-Founder. Joe has a strong background in angel investing, with a track record of successful investments in companies like BetterUp and Calm. He brings expertise in supporting early-stage startups and fostering innovation.
Rachel Sheinbein: Partner/Co-Founder. Rachel has extensive experience in venture capital and has been involved in numerous successful investments across various sectors, including fintech and consumer technology.
Chase Adam: Partner/Co-Founder. Chase has a solid background in angel investing and has played a key role in supporting startups in their early stages, focusing on community engagement and impact.
To pitch Very Serious Ventures, founders should email their pitch deck to webmaster@veryseriousventures.com. The deck should include a clear overview of the business model, market opportunity, and team background. Founders are encouraged to highlight any community impact initiatives, as this aligns with the firm's values.
Response times may vary, but founders should expect a thorough review process. Warm introductions are preferred, as they can facilitate a more favorable reception of the pitch.
As of April 2025, Very Serious Ventures has made one new investment in the past 12 months, continuing to engage actively in the startup ecosystem. The firm maintains a portfolio of 50 companies, including four unicorns and two IPOs.
Notable recent investments include Alga Biosciences, Antara Health, and Mental, reflecting their ongoing commitment to supporting early-stage startups. The firm has also achieved notable exits, including the IPOs of Opendoor and Eventbrite, as well as the unicorn status of Calm.
What are the investment criteria for Very Serious Ventures?
Very Serious Ventures focuses on early-stage startups in sectors such as fintech, web3, AI, healthcare, and consumer technology. They primarily invest at the pre-seed, seed, and seed-plus stages.
How can founders apply or pitch to Very Serious Ventures?
Founders can reach out via email at webmaster@veryseriousventures.com to pitch their ideas and submit their business plans.
What makes Very Serious Ventures different from other investors?
The firm donates all returns from limited partners to charity, reflecting their commitment to community impact and social responsibility. This unique approach aligns financial success with positive contributions to society.
What is the geographic scope of Very Serious Ventures?
Very Serious Ventures primarily invests in startups based in the United States, focusing on early-stage companies across various sectors.
What kind of post-investment involvement can founders expect?
Very Serious Ventures provides strategic guidance and support to its portfolio companies, leveraging the extensive experience of its partners in angel investing.
What is the typical check size for investments?
While specific check sizes are not disclosed, Very Serious Ventures focuses on early-stage funding, which typically involves smaller investments aligned with pre-seed and seed rounds.
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