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Differential Ventures

North America, New York, United States, New York

Description

Differential Ventures is a New York-based seed-stage venture capital firm established in 2017, specializing in B2B data-oriented technology solutions. The firm primarily targets companies leveraging advanced data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence to address critical business challenges. Their investment thesis centers on the belief that data will continue to be a foundational element for innovation across various industries, driving efficiency and creating new market opportunities. Differential Ventures seeks out founders with deep technical expertise and a clear vision for how their data-driven solutions can disrupt or significantly improve existing enterprise workflows.

The firm's investment strategy focuses on providing initial capital to early-stage startups, typically from pre-seed to seed rounds. Differential Ventures is known for its hands-on approach, offering strategic guidance, operational support, and access to a robust network of industry experts and potential customers. Their typical initial check sizes range from $500,000 to $2 million, indicating a commitment to significant early-stage funding that can help companies achieve key milestones. Beyond the initial investment, Differential Ventures also reserves capital for follow-on rounds, demonstrating a long-term commitment to the growth and success of their portfolio companies.

Since its inception, Differential Ventures has demonstrated significant growth in its capital base, reflecting strong investor confidence and a successful investment track record. The firm launched its first fund, Fund I, with $15 million in 2018, followed by Fund II at $60 million in 2021, and most recently, Fund III, which closed at $100 million in 2023. This progression brings their total assets under management to $175 million, enabling them to support a growing number of promising startups. As of early 2024, their portfolio comprises over 50 companies, showcasing a diverse range of B2B data and AI innovations across various sectors. The firm's consistent fund growth underscores its established position within the seed-stage B2B tech ecosystem.

Investor Profile

Differential Ventures has backed more than 42 startups, with 2 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 14 rounds, about 33% of its total and boasts 2 exits across its portfolio.

Investment Focus Highlights

  • Concentrates on Seed, Pre Seed, Series A rounds (top funding stages).
  • Majority of deals are located in United States, Canada, Israel.
  • Strong thematic focus on Software, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning.
  • Typical check size: $500K – $2M.

Stage Focus

  • Seed (62%)
  • Pre Seed (14%)
  • Series A (12%)
  • Series Unknown (7%)
  • Grant (2%)
  • Series B (2%)

Country Focus

  • United States (50%)
  • Canada (26%)
  • Israel (21%)
  • United Kingdom (2%)

Industry Focus

  • Software
  • Artificial Intelligence (Ai)
  • Machine Learning
  • Information Technology
  • Big Data
  • Saas
  • Enterprise Software
  • Network Security
  • Generative Ai
  • Data Visualization
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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn who this investor regularly partners with—both firms and angels—and explore their latest activity.

Who does Differential Ventures frequently co-invest with?

SeedIL Ventures
Asia, Tel Aviv, Israel, Herzliya
Co-Investments: 3
Mozilla Ventures
North America, Delaware, United States, New Castle
Co-Investments: 3
BBG Ventures
North America, New York, United States, New York
Co-Investments: 2
TPY Capital
Asia, Tel Aviv, Israel, Tel Aviv
Co-Investments: 3
Magna Capital Partners
North America, Illinois, United States, Chicago
Co-Investments: 3
Flint Capital
North America, Massachusetts, United States, Cambridge
Co-Investments: 3
Greycroft
North America, New York, United States, New York
Co-Investments: 4
Betaworks
North America, New York, United States, New York
Co-Investments: 4
Green Egg Ventures
North America, New York, United States, New York
Co-Investments: 3
Alumni Ventures
North America, New Hampshire, United States, Manchester
Co-Investments: 2

Which angels does Differential Ventures often collaborate with?

NI
North America, United States
Shared Deals: 1
TH
North America, New York, United States, New York
Shared Deals: 2
David Magerman
North America, Pennsylvania, United States, Philadelphia
Shared Deals: 1
Nick Romano
North America, Ontario, Canada, Toronto
Shared Deals: 1
KB
North America, New York, United States, New York
Shared Deals: 2
AK
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Shared Deals: 1
BK
North America, New York, United States, New York
Shared Deals: 1
HM
North America, New York, United States, New York
Shared Deals: 2
AS
North America, California, United States, Menlo Park
Shared Deals: 1
BT
North America, Georgia, United States, Savannah
Shared Deals: 1

What are some of recent deals done by Differential Ventures?

Row64

Dillon, Colorado, United States

The world’s first Data Science Spreadsheet powered by a GPU data engine that runs 10x to 1,000x faster than traditional data software.

AnalyticsArtificial Intelligence (AI)Big DataFinanceInformation ServicesInformation TechnologyMarket ResearchProductivity ToolsSoftware
SeedJun 9, 2025
Amount Raised: $4,000,000
Plastic Labs

New York, New York, United States

AI Infra

Artificial Intelligence (AI)Developer APIsDeveloper PlatformGenerative AIInfrastructureSaaS
Pre SeedApr 11, 2025
Amount Raised: $5,350,000
HATCH

New York, New York, United States

An AI-powered portal for Fundraisers, Marketers and Volunteers to streamline and Maximize their impact.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)Data VisualizationInformation TechnologyMachine LearningSoftware
SeedApr 14, 2024
Amount Raised: $3,100,000
FlowFi

Santa Monica, California, United States

FlowFi’s mission is to help companies operate at peak financial performance.

AccountingFinanceFinancial ServicesSaaS
SeedFeb 13, 2024
Amount Raised: $9,000,000
Retrocausal

Seattle, Washington, United States

Retrocausal gives superpowers to manufacturing assembly operators, plant managers, and industrial engineers with its Generative AI Copilots.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)Industrial AutomationManufacturingSoftware
Series UnknownNov 30, 2023
Amount Raised: $5,300,000
Vera

New York, New York, United States

Vera develops an assessment platform to identify and address risks in artificial intelligence and machine learning models.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)Information TechnologyMachine Learning
Pre SeedOct 5, 2023
Amount Raised: $2,700,000
Plastic Labs

New York, New York, United States

AI Infra

Artificial Intelligence (AI)Developer APIsDeveloper PlatformGenerative AIInfrastructureSaaS
Pre SeedAug 10, 2023
Amount Raised: $600,000
Metafold 3D

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Metafold makes cloud-based design for additive manufacturing software

Software
SeedJul 18, 2023
Amount Raised: $1,784,806
Shader

San Francisco, California, United States

Shader is a real-time camera app that instantly customizes look with AI effects.

AppsArtificial Intelligence (AI)Augmented RealitySocialSocial NetworkSoftwareVideo Editing
Pre SeedJun 1, 2023
Amount Raised: $580,000
Golioth

San Francisco, California, United States

Golioth is an IoT platform that makes it easy to connect hardware to the cloud.

Cloud InfrastructureDeveloper ToolsEnterprise SoftwareInternet of ThingsSoftware
SeedMay 4, 2023
Amount Raised: $4,600,000