Ruchi Sanghvi

Ruchi Sanghvi is a prominent investor, primarily recognized as the founder of South Park Commons (SPC), a unique venture firm and technical community based in San Francisco. Launched initially as a community in 2015, SPC evolved into a venture fund in 2018, distinguishing itself by fostering a collaborative environment where engineers and founders can explore nascent ideas before committing to a specific startup. Sanghvi's vision for SPC was to create a "startup before the startup" space, providing critical support and resources to entrepreneurs at their earliest, most undefined stages.

SPC's investment thesis centers on pre-seed and seed-stage companies, often backing founders even before they have a fully formed product or clear product-market fit. The firm offers more than just capital; it provides a physical hub, mentorship from experienced operators, and a vibrant network of technical talent, enabling founders to iterate rapidly and validate their concepts. This hands-on, community-driven approach aims to de-risk the very early stages of company building, allowing founders to experiment and pivot as needed, guided by peer feedback and expert advice.

Under Sanghvi's leadership, South Park Commons has successfully raised significant capital to support its mission. Its first fund, launched in 2018, secured $40 million. This was followed by a $150 million fund in 2021, and most recently, a $180 million fund in 2023, demonstrating strong investor confidence in its model. SPC typically writes initial checks ranging from $500,000 to $2 million, targeting companies that benefit from its deep technical community and hands-on support. The firm has built a portfolio of high-profile companies, including leading AI ventures like Anthropic and Cohere, underscoring its ability to identify and nurture groundbreaking innovation from its earliest inception.