Founder Collective

Founder Collective is a venture capital firm that puts money into startups at the seed and pre-seed stages. Its partners have all built and sold technology companies themselves, and they describe the firm as one they wished had existed when they were starting out.

Products and services

• Seed and pre-seed investment: the firm leads rounds and also joins rounds led by others, without fixed ownership targets.
• Long-term partnership: it stays with founders from the earliest idea through to a possible public listing.
• Guidance on raising money: it encourages founders to raise as little as they can, to protect ownership and keep spending disciplined.
• Sector-agnostic backing: it deliberately avoids an investment thesis and says it is anti-thematic.

Who it works with

Founders at the earliest stages, in any industry. The firm says unusual ideas today can turn into major themes later. Its published examples include a ride-hailing service, a fitness wearable, a defence technology company and an AI music tool.

Key facts

• Stage focus: seed and pre-seed
• Investing team: every member has started a company
• Track record: more than 15 years with one portfolio company's founders, as stated
• Approach: capital efficiency and alignment with founders' financial interests