Jeff Clavier

Jeff Clavier is a prominent figure in the Silicon Valley venture capital landscape, widely recognized as the founder and managing partner of Uncork Capital, formerly known as SoftTech VC. A French native, Clavier moved to the United States and established SoftTech VC in 2004, pioneering an early focus on seed-stage investments at a time when larger funds typically entered at later stages. His firm's evolution into Uncork Capital in 2017 marked a strategic rebranding to better reflect its mature and comprehensive approach to early-stage company building.

Uncork Capital maintains a steadfast commitment to seed-stage funding, often taking the lead in initial investment rounds. The firm's investment philosophy centers on providing hands-on support to founders, guiding them through the critical phases of product development, market validation, and team building. They are known for their founder-friendly terms and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by nascent startups. Uncork Capital typically writes initial checks ranging from $1 million to $3 million, aiming to be the first institutional capital for promising ventures across various sectors.

Over nearly two decades, Clavier and Uncork Capital have built an impressive portfolio of successful companies. Their investments span diverse industries, including SaaS, consumer applications, fintech, and developer tools, with notable successes such as Postmates, Poshmark, SendGrid, Mint, and Fitbit. The firm's growth is evident in its fundraising trajectory; for instance, their most recent vehicle, Uncork Capital Fund VII, closed at $200 million in 2023, a significant expansion from SoftTech VC's initial Fund I, which was $15 million. This substantial capital base allows them to provide follow-on funding and support their portfolio companies through subsequent growth stages.