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Zetta Venture Partners is a venture capital firm founded in 2013 by Mark Gorenberg, with offices in San Francisco and New York City. The firm is recognized as one of the earliest dedicated AI-native venture capital firms, focusing on startups that develop applications, infrastructure, and developer tools in the artificial intelligence sector. Zetta has established itself as a significant player in the AI investment landscape, managing a fund size of $180 million and maintaining a portfolio of 36 companies.
The firm has evolved since its inception, launching multiple funds, with its latest fund announced in January 2020. Zetta's commitment to supporting founders who leverage AI technologies has led to notable milestones, including successful exits such as Kaggle, acquired by Google, and DOMO, which went public. The firm actively engages with the startup ecosystem, hosting events like the AI Native Summit to connect industry leaders and innovators.
Zetta Venture Partners invests exclusively in AI-native, business-to-business (B2B) companies. Their investment strategy emphasizes early-stage startups in the pre-seed, seed, and Series A stages, with check sizes typically ranging from $1 million to $5 million. The firm seeks to partner with companies that utilize machine learning and AI technologies as core components of their products, rather than as mere features.
The sectors of interest for Zetta include artificial intelligence applications, biotechnology, climate technology, DevOps, and cloud infrastructure. The firm aims to identify and support startups that are building innovative solutions in these areas, providing hands-on operational support to help founders scale their AI models into market-leading products. Zetta's geographic focus is primarily on North America, aligning with its mission to foster growth in the AI sector.
Zetta Venture Partners has a diverse portfolio of 36 companies, showcasing its commitment to AI-driven innovation. Notable portfolio companies include:
This portfolio reflects Zetta's focus on AI-native infrastructure and applications, highlighting its strategic investments in sectors that leverage artificial intelligence for competitive advantage.
Mark Gorenberg - Managing Partner. Mark is the founder of Zetta Venture Partners and a pioneer in the AI-native VC thesis. He has extensive experience in the venture capital space and has led numerous successful investments in AI startups.
Jocelyn Goldfein - Partner. Jocelyn joined Zetta in 2017 and has a background as an engineering executive at Facebook and VMware. She is a notable figure in AI and tech leadership.
Apoorva Pandhi - Partner. Apoorva is based in San Francisco and brings expertise in early-stage investments, particularly in AI-driven companies.
Dylan Reid - Partner. Dylan is based in New York and focuses on identifying promising AI startups for investment.
Annelies Gamble - Partner. Annelies contributes to Zetta's investment strategy and supports portfolio companies in scaling their operations.
To pitch Zetta Venture Partners, founders should submit their proposals through the firm's website. It is essential to include a detailed deck that outlines the startup's vision, market opportunity, and how AI is central to the product. Zetta prefers warm introductions but will consider direct submissions as well. Response times can vary, but founders can expect to hear back within a few weeks regarding their pitch.
Zetta Venture Partners hosts the AI Native Summit, an event that gathers AI leaders from research, startups, and global companies to discuss enterprise AI. This summit provides a platform for networking and sharing insights on the latest trends in AI applications across various industries. The next summit is set for November 21, 2024.
In January 2020, Zetta Venture Partners announced the launch of its $180 million fund, aimed at supporting AI-native startups. This fund marks a significant milestone in the firm's growth and commitment to investing in early-stage companies leveraging artificial intelligence.
Notable portfolio activity includes the successful public offering of DOMO, which Zetta supported through its early stages. Additionally, Zetta continues to engage with the startup ecosystem by hosting the annual AI Native Summit, with the next event scheduled for November 21, 2024, at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, CA.
What are Zetta Venture Partners' investment criteria?
Zetta Venture Partners exclusively invests in AI-native B2B companies at the pre-seed, seed, and Series A stages. They focus on startups where AI is a core component of the product, not just an added feature.
How can founders apply or pitch to Zetta?
Founders can submit their pitch through the Zetta Venture Partners website. It is recommended to include a clear explanation of how AI is integrated into their product and the market opportunity they are addressing.
What makes Zetta Venture Partners different from other VC firms?
Zetta provides hands-on operational support to its portfolio companies, helping founders scale their AI models into market-leading products. Their deep expertise in AI and extensive network in the industry are significant advantages for startups.
What is the geographic scope of Zetta's investments?
Zetta primarily focuses on investments in North America, aligning with its strategy to support early-stage AI startups in this region.
What is the typical check size for investments?
Zetta typically invests between $1 million and $5 million in initial funding rounds, with the potential for follow-on investments in future rounds.
What kind of post-investment involvement can founders expect?
Zetta Venture Partners takes an active role in supporting its portfolio companies, providing operational guidance and leveraging its network to help startups navigate challenges and achieve growth.
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