String Ventures

String Ventures is a venture fund that works closely with founders on strategy, product and growth. Its stated approach is not to take board seats, to dilute alongside the founders and to invest using standard Silicon Valley instruments such as the SAFE. It also does not take extra advisory shares for its advice.

What String Ventures offers

• Founder-friendly investment — funding through SAFEs rather than board-controlled terms.
• Strategy and product advice — guidance that comes with the money, with no separate advisory shares.
• Growth support — help with business development, strategic alliances and funding.
• Global network — introductions drawn from its international contacts.

Who it works with

Early-stage founders. Its site highlights two exits from its portfolio: Crypto Facilities, a regulated cryptocurrency exchange and index provider in the UK acquired by Kraken, and FriendlyData, a natural language search tool for enterprise data acquired by ServiceNow.

Key facts

• Board seats: none taken
• Instruments: standard Silicon Valley terms such as SAFE
• Exits cited: Crypto Facilities and FriendlyData