Garuda Ventures

Garuda Ventures is an angel fund established in 2021 by experienced operators Rishi Taparia and James Richards, co-founders who previously built and successfully exited their company, Arcade, to Workday. Based in San Francisco, the firm distinguishes itself through its "founder-first" approach, leveraging the direct operational experience of its principals. Taparia and Richards position themselves as being on the "founder side of the table," aiming to provide more than just capital but also practical guidance and mentorship to early-stage startups. Their background as successful entrepreneurs underpins their strategy, offering a unique perspective to their portfolio companies.

The fund primarily targets pre-seed and seed-stage companies, reflecting its focus on foundational support for nascent ventures. Garuda Ventures typically writes first checks ranging from $100,000 to $500,000. While they do not lead investment rounds, they actively participate alongside other reputable investors, preferring to join syndicates where their operational insights can add significant value. Their investment philosophy, though described as stage-agnostic, shows a clear preference for companies that have demonstrated some early traction, indicating a focus on validated concepts over purely speculative ideas.

Garuda Ventures maintains a highly selective investment pace, committing to only a handful of companies each year. This deliberate approach allows Taparia and Richards to dedicate substantial time and resources to their portfolio companies, offering hands-on support in areas such as product development, go-to-market strategy, and scaling operations—areas where their past experiences are particularly relevant. Their portfolio includes companies like Vori Health and Vanta, showcasing their ability to identify promising ventures at their earliest stages. The firm's unique value proposition lies in its principals' journey from founders to investors, offering a deep empathy and practical understanding of the entrepreneurial challenges faced by early-stage companies.