
First Spark Ventures
Description
First Spark Ventures is a specialized deep tech venture capital firm based in San Carlos, United States, with a distinctive focus on investing in scientific breakthroughs globally. The firm targets the earliest stages of company development, primarily pre-seed and seed rounds, positioning itself as a crucial early supporter for founders translating complex scientific research into viable commercial ventures. Their investment thesis centers on identifying and nurturing groundbreaking technologies that have the potential to disrupt industries and solve significant global challenges.
Established in 2023, First Spark Ventures quickly carved out a niche by committing to the long-term development of deep tech companies. The firm is particularly interested in areas such as advanced materials, quantum computing, biotechnology, and artificial intelligence, seeking out ventures led by scientists and engineers with proprietary intellectual property. Their approach goes beyond mere capital injection, aiming to provide strategic guidance, access to networks, and operational support to help these nascent companies navigate the challenging journey from lab to market.
Financially, First Spark Ventures typically deploys initial checks ranging from $250,000 to $1,000,000. This investment range underscores their commitment to providing foundational capital that enables deep tech startups to achieve critical early milestones, such as proof-of-concept, team expansion, and initial product development. They often participate in larger seed rounds alongside other specialized investors, leveraging their expertise to de-risk complex technologies and accelerate growth. The firm's dedication to supporting scientists globally reflects a belief in the universal power of innovation to drive progress across diverse sectors.
Investor Profile
First Spark Ventures has backed more than 22 startups, with 4 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 8 rounds, about 36% of its total and boasts 1 exits across its portfolio.
Investment Focus Highlights
- Concentrates on Seed, Series A, Series B rounds (top funding stages).
- Majority of deals are located in United States, Germany, Canada.
- Strong thematic focus on Software, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning.
- Led 1 rounds in the past year.
- Typical check size: $250K – $1M.
Stage Focus
- Seed (41%)
- Series A (27%)
- Series B (23%)
- Series Unknown (5%)
- Pre Seed (5%)
Country Focus
- United States (82%)
- Germany (9%)
- Canada (5%)
Industry Focus
- Software
- Artificial Intelligence (Ai)
- Machine Learning
- Health Care
- Information Technology
- Gps
- Biotechnology
- Generative Ai
- Medical Device
- Open Source
Frequently Asked Questions
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