Root Ventures

Root Ventures is a San Francisco-based seed-stage venture capital firm with a distinct focus on "deep tech" and highly technical founding teams. Established with a philosophy to back engineers building foundational technologies, the firm targets companies developing complex solutions in areas such as robotics, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, developer tools, and enterprise infrastructure. They are known for their hands-on approach, often providing significant technical guidance alongside capital, aiming to support startups that are solving hard, technical problems.

The firm's investment strategy centers on identifying early-stage companies with strong engineering talent tackling challenging technical problems. Root Ventures typically provides initial seed-stage funding, with a reported first check size ranging from approximately $1 million to $3 million. This initial investment is designed to help technical teams build out their core product and achieve key milestones before larger Series A rounds. They also reserve capital for follow-on investments in their most promising portfolio companies, demonstrating a long-term commitment to their founders.

Root Ventures has successfully raised multiple funds to support its investment thesis. For instance, the firm announced the close of its third fund, Root Ventures Fund III, at $95 million in 2019. Building on this momentum, they subsequently closed Root Ventures Fund IV at a substantial $150 million in 2022, underscoring their continued growth and investor confidence in their deep tech focus. Their portfolio includes notable companies that have gone on to achieve significant milestones, reflecting their ability to identify and nurture technically intensive startups from their earliest stages. The firm's commitment to the deep tech ecosystem positions them as a key player in funding the next generation of foundational technologies.