VC Directory

Check: $1M-$100M+ (from a16z's $5.2B AI fund, largest sector allocation in 2026)

Leads a16z's AI investments from the $5.2B AI allocation — the firm's largest sector bet ever. Anjney came to AI from an unusual path: he previously led a16z's crypto gaming investments, giving him deep understanding of platform transitions, virtual economies, and consumer behavior in digital worlds. His AI thesis is built on the belief that AI is a platform shift as significant as mobile or cloud — and that the biggest opportunities are at both the infrastructure layer (foundation models, training, inference) and the application layer (consumer AI, AI agents, vertical applications). Particularly bullish on consumer AI as a social phenomenon — Character.ai embodies this, where AI characters become companions and social interactions, not just tools. Believes open-weight models (Mistral, Meta's Llama) will create an ecosystem similar to open-source software, where the most innovative applications are built on open foundations. Views gaming as a leading indicator for AI adoption — games were the first consumer products to adopt AI-generated content, AI NPCs, and AI-powered user experiences.

Check: $1M-$100M+ (from $2B+ crypto funds — 5th fund raising in 2026)

The crypto conviction investor. Founded and leads a16z's crypto practice, which has deployed billions across five funds. Author of 'Read Write Own' (2024), arguing that blockchain enables a new era of internet ownership — the 'own' in 'read, write, own.' Just as the read-only web (Web 1.0) gave way to the read-write web (Web 2.0/social media), the next era is one where users can own their digital assets, identities, and communities through blockchain. Believes crypto goes through 'price-innovation cycles' — price increases attract attention and talent, which drives innovation, which creates real utility, which eventually drives the next price cycle. Has maintained conviction through multiple crypto winters, arguing that the technology's utility compounds regardless of price. Before crypto, Chris was one of the most influential thinkers in tech investing — his blog (cdixon.org) was arguably the most important startup blog of the 2010s, producing frameworks like 'the next big thing will start out looking like a toy' and 'come for the tool, stay for the network.' Believes crypto is entering its 'financial era' — where blockchain-based financial applications (stablecoins, DeFi, tokenized assets) prove real-world utility at scale.

Check: $500K-$5M (recently raised a $550M fund in Oct 2025, significantly larger than previous funds)

One of the most active and respected seed investors in NYC. Co-founded TechStars NYC (now Techstars NYC), deeply embedded in the New York startup ecosystem since its earliest days. Known for being highly accessible, fast to decide, and genuinely helpful post-investment. Just raised a $550M fund (Oct 2025) — a massive step up from previous funds, signaling BoxGroup's evolution from small seed fund to significant early-stage player. Not thesis-driven — David reacts to founders and ideas he finds compelling rather than fitting investments into a predefined framework. This flexibility has served him well — his portfolio spans fintech (Plaid), healthcare (Oscar, Ro), consumer (Harry's, Away), and more. The common thread isn't sector but founder quality and early product-market fit signals. David is deeply connected to the NYC startup ecosystem and has helped shape it over the past 15+ years. He's often one of the first calls founders make when starting a company in New York.

Check: $1M-$100M+ (multi-stage, GC manages $25B+)

'Responsible innovation' thesis: technology should solve real problems for real people, not create consumer distractions. Strong health and enterprise focus. Author of 'Unscaled' — argues that technology is unscaling the economy, allowing small, nimble companies to compete with large incumbents by renting scale (cloud, AI, platforms) rather than building it. Recently evolved GC into a 'global transformation company' — not just investing but also building internal ventures, acquiring companies, and providing 'transformation services' to portfolio companies and external partners. This is a controversial evolution — GC is now part VC, part PE, part consulting firm. Hemant believes the traditional VC model is outdated and that the next great investment firm needs to do more than write checks. Backs companies that endure and compound over decades. Deep conviction that AI will transform healthcare, reducing costs 10x while improving outcomes. Views technology as a tool for social good, not just wealth creation.

Check: $500K-$3M (seed only)

The seed-stage specialist. Invests earliest and deepest at seed — First Round was one of the firms that pioneered institutional seed investing. Built First Round into a platform that punches well above its check size — extensive founder community (~1000 active founders), expert network (First Round Network), and operational support. First Round Review (their media arm) produces some of the best tactical startup content anywhere — deeply researched guides on hiring, product, management, and go-to-market. Believes the best seed investors win by helping, not just funding. Josh's personal background as a serial entrepreneur (Half.com, Infonautics) gives him deep empathy for founders. He's lived the founding journey and knows what early-stage companies actually need. First Round's community model is a key competitive advantage — founders help each other, creating a network effect that makes the fund more valuable with every new investment. Known for being one of the most founder-friendly VCs — fast to respond, honest about passing, and genuinely helpful when invested.

Check: $1M-$100M+ (from $2.5B+ American Dynamism fund)

Leads a16z's American Dynamism practice — a $2.5B+ fund (expanded from $600M in 2023) backing companies that support national interests. Believes the most important companies of the next decade will be built at the intersection of technology and national security. Patriotic tech thesis: the best founders don't just build for consumers, they build for the country. Katherine argues that Silicon Valley abandoned hard, important problems for consumer social apps and that the pendulum is swinging back. The name 'American Dynamism' is intentional — it's about restoring the dynamism that built America's infrastructure, defense, and industrial capacity. She sees a generational opportunity as government procurement modernizes and defense budgets prioritize technology over legacy systems. Has written extensively about how the best founders she meets are motivated by mission, not just money.

Check: $1M-$100M+ (multi-stage, also invests personally and through Thiel Capital)

The original contrarian VC. 'We wanted flying cars, instead we got 140 characters.' Seeks companies that can become category-defining monopolies in markets others ignore. First principles thinking is non-negotiable. The key question: 'What important truth do few people agree with you on?' Backs revolutionary technology, not incremental improvements. The Venn diagram of 'right' and 'different' is where he invests. Thiel's intellectual framework is deeply philosophical — draws from René Girard's mimetic theory (competition is imitation, and imitation destroys value), Leo Strauss, and libertarian economics. Founders Fund's motto: 'We wanted flying cars, instead we got 140 characters' — a critique of Silicon Valley's focus on trivial consumer apps instead of transformative technology. Thiel distinguishes between 'definite optimism' (having a concrete plan to build a better future) and 'indefinite optimism' (vaguely hoping things get better). He champions the former. Created the Thiel Fellowship ($100K grants for young people to drop out of college and build companies) — alumni include Vitalik Buterin (Ethereum), Austin Russell (Luminar Technologies), and others.

Focused on DeFi infrastructure and decentralized governance through QDAO DeFi, investing in projects that advance financial decentralization.

Investing in blockchain enterprise solutions through Bloxico, focused on bringing blockchain technology to traditional industries in Ireland and Europe.

Investing in the ownership economy at Variant Fund. Focuses on projects that shift value capture from platforms to users through token-based models.

Investing across the crypto stack at Blockchain Capital, one of the oldest crypto-focused funds. Focuses on infrastructure and application layers of blockchain technology.

Managing Partner at CoinFund, investing across the crypto stack from infrastructure to applications. Focuses on projects with novel business models enabled by tokens.

Investing in crypto infrastructure and digital assets through Hash CIB, one of Russia/CIS's most established crypto financial firms.

Co-founder of Hack VC, investing in crypto infrastructure and developer platforms. Believes the next wave of crypto adoption is driven by better developer tooling and infrastructure.

Supporting blockchain innovation in Central Asia through BNB Chain's MVB program. Focused on growing the BNB Chain ecosystem in underserved markets.

Investing in crypto infrastructure and applications at Canonical Crypto. Focused on early-stage projects building foundational crypto technology.

Thesis-driven investing at the intersection of DeFi and trading infrastructure. Mechanism Capital focuses on DeFi protocols, derivatives, and novel financial primitives. Known for deep technical analysis and contrarian bets.

Investing in early-stage tech and blockchain startups in the Baltics through Tera Ventures, leveraging Estonia's leading digital governance expertise.

Co-founder of Delphi Digital and Delphi Ventures. Thesis-driven investing informed by deep crypto research and data analysis.

Investing in deep tech and blockchain convergence at Big Pi Ventures, focused on the Greek and European tech ecosystem.

Investing in regional funds and startups through Al Waha Fund of Funds, supporting the Bahrain fintech and blockchain ecosystem as a gateway to the Gulf.

Investing in Web3 infrastructure and digital assets across Asia-Pacific at HashKey Capital. Focus on emerging blockchain ecosystems and cross-chain solutions.

Co-founded BitMEX, pioneered crypto perpetual futures. Now runs Maelstrom fund investing in DeFi and crypto infrastructure. Known for macro-driven crypto thesis and provocative market commentary.

Investing in blockchain and digital assets across the MENA region at Cypher Capital. Focused on building Dubai as a global crypto hub.

Building the foundation of the digital asset ecosystem through DCG's portfolio of companies. DCG is the parent company of Grayscale, Genesis, CoinDesk (sold), and Foundry, touching nearly every aspect of the crypto industry.

Co-founded Blockchain Capital in 2013, one of the first dedicated crypto funds. Long-term believer in Bitcoin as digital gold and blockchain as transformative infrastructure.

Strategic investments from Crypto.com Capital, the investment arm of one of the world's largest crypto platforms. Focused on ecosystem expansion and strategic portfolio building.

Co-founded Blockchain Capital alongside his twin brother Bart. Focuses on venture-stage blockchain companies with strong management teams and clear business models.

DeFi-native investor at Framework Ventures. Focuses on programmable finance and novel DeFi protocols that create new financial primitives.

Check: $1M-$100M+ (multi-stage, BVP has $3.6B+ under management)

The cloud computing investor. His annual 'State of the Cloud' report is the definitive industry reference for cloud/SaaS metrics. Bessemer's 'Cloud Atlas' benchmarking tool is used by thousands of SaaS companies. The firm publicly lists its 'Anti-Portfolio' — companies they passed on (including Apple, Google, Facebook, Intel) — as a reminder of humility. Data-driven, metrics-obsessed approach to SaaS investing. Has been investing in cloud for over two decades, since before 'cloud' was even a common term. Believes AI will fundamentally transform labor-intensive enterprise processes and that the next generation of cloud companies will be 'AI-native' rather than AI-augmented. BVP created the BVP Nasdaq Emerging Cloud Index (EMCLOUD) tracking public cloud companies — a widely referenced industry benchmark. Byron sees vertical SaaS (purpose-built cloud for specific industries) as one of the largest remaining opportunities.

Pioneer in metaverse and spatial computing strategy. Focuses on the intersection of blockchain, virtual worlds, and immersive technology.

Investing in crypto infrastructure and DeFi at Dragonfly. Focused on the intersection of technology and narrative in crypto markets.

Institutional-grade crypto investment across the full capital structure. Focuses on bridging traditional finance and digital assets.

Investing in crypto infrastructure and emerging protocols at Hack VC. Focuses on technical due diligence and identifying strong engineering teams.

Investing in early-stage crypto protocols and infrastructure at 1kx. Focused on community-owned and operated networks.

Institutional crypto advocate and investor at CoinFund. Focuses on bridging traditional financial markets infrastructure with crypto.

Leading crypto market making and trading operations at GSR Markets, with a strategic investment arm backing infrastructure and DeFi projects.

Co-founder of Electric Capital. Uses data-driven analysis to identify the most promising crypto ecosystems by tracking developer activity and code commits.

Crypto researcher and investor with deep expertise in on-chain data analysis. Known for detailed research on DeFi protocols and market microstructure.

Building Swiss-based blockchain infrastructure and investment vehicles at Helvetia Labs, focused on bridging traditional Swiss finance with crypto innovation.

Invests in foundational crypto infrastructure and protocols at the earliest stages. Archetype focuses on technical founders building at the frontier of crypto — L1s, L2s, ZK tech, and novel consensus mechanisms.

Investing in web3 and crypto at CoinFund. Focuses on consumer-facing applications and platforms that bring web3 to mainstream users.

Investing in blockchain and Web3 startups in Italy through the Italian Angels for Growth network. Focused on bringing Italian innovation to the global crypto stage.

Investing in early-stage blockchain projects at Eden Block, with a focus on European crypto ecosystem development and infrastructure.

Investing in digital asset infrastructure and Web3 projects at HashKey Capital. Focuses on Asia-Pacific crypto ecosystem development.

Investing in blockchain and digital finance in Sri Lanka, focused on leveraging blockchain for economic development and financial infrastructure modernization.

Leading digital asset investment and custody services at Bitcoin Suisse Ventures, focused on the Swiss and European crypto ecosystem.

Co-founder of Hack VC, focused on deep tech and infrastructure in crypto. Brings a Silicon Valley tech investor perspective to blockchain investing.

Invests across the full web3 stack with a focus on infrastructure, DeFi, and gaming. Binance Labs serves as the venture capital and incubation arm of Binance, one of the largest crypto exchanges globally.

Building the open metaverse through strategic investments at Animoca Brands. Focuses on digital property rights and gaming infrastructure.

Investing in early-stage crypto infrastructure and applications at Portal Ventures. Focused on backing technical founders building at the frontier of blockchain technology.

Investing in blockchain infrastructure and Web3 startups in East Africa, focused on the Tezos ecosystem and broader blockchain adoption in Kenya and the region.

Investing in blockchain infrastructure and tokens at Pantera Capital. Focuses on protocol-level investments with long-term value creation potential.

Check: $1M-$25M

Backs 'trusted brands that broaden access to knowledge, capital, and well-being by leveraging networks, platforms, and protocols.' The access thesis is the through-line: every investment should make something important more accessible to more people. Willing to invest in companies without a business model if the product will attract millions. Lives with uncertainty. Now investing in climate tech (both bits and atoms) through a dedicated fund. Fred is thesis-driven — USV publishes its investment thesis publicly and updates it periodically. Each fund has a specific thesis, and every investment must fit. Historically moved through phases: Web 2.0 networks → mobile → crypto/web3 → climate. One of the earliest VCs to take crypto seriously (invested in Coinbase in 2013). Co-founded USV with Brad Burnham in 2003 after learning hard lessons from the dot-com bust at Flatiron Partners.

Investing in blockchain and digital finance in Mongolia through Ard Financial Group, focused on bringing modern financial infrastructure to the Mongolian market.

Check: $500K (standard YC deal: $500K for ~7% equity via SAFE). Also invests via YC Continuity Fund at later stages.

Builder-designer-investor. 'Make something people want' is the entire thesis — inherited from Paul Graham's YC founding philosophy and now amplified by Garry's builder ethos. Believes we're in a golden age where a single person with AI can build what used to take a team of 20 — the '20x company' thesis. Previously co-founded Posterous, was a partner at YC, then founded Initialized Capital (early Coinbase, Instacart, Cruise, Flexport). Returned to lead YC in January 2023 after the Sam Altman / Geoff Ralston era. Strong emphasis on craft, design, and actually shipping. Has repositioned YC to be even more founder-friendly: increased deal size to $500K, expanded batch sizes, launched new programs. Believes YC's most important function is community — connecting founders with each other and with the alumni network. Politically active in San Francisco — ran for mayor-adjacent roles and advocates for pro-building, pro-business policies in SF.

Building crypto exchange and investment infrastructure in the Caucasus and CIS region through Free2ex, focused on regional blockchain adoption.

Pioneer of crypto exchange infrastructure in Latin America through Buda.com. Now investing in blockchain projects across the LATAM region.

Investing in blockchain and digital asset projects at HashKey Capital with a focus on the Greater China and Southeast Asian crypto ecosystem.

Growth-stage crypto investing at Galaxy Digital. Focuses on scaling proven crypto businesses and protocols into institutional-grade platforms.