Side Door Ventures

Side Door Ventures (SDV) is a San Francisco-based venture capital firm established by Elizabeth Yin and Eric Bahn, notable for also co-founding Hustle Fund. Launched with a distinctive philosophy, SDV aims to back “audacious founders building tomorrow’s life-changing companies,” operating under the mantra, “The Future Starts at the Fringe.” This approach signifies their interest in unconventional ideas and overlooked entrepreneurs, positioning themselves as a crucial early-stage partner for nascent ventures.

The firm primarily focuses on pre-seed and seed-stage investments, often serving as the first institutional check for promising startups. Side Door Ventures is known for its commitment to supporting founders who might be underestimated or pursuing concepts that are initially perceived as niche or unconventional. Their typical initial investment ranges from $250,000 to $1 million, reflecting their strategy of providing foundational capital to help companies gain initial traction and prove their concepts.

Since its inception, Side Door Ventures has rapidly expanded its capital base. The firm successfully closed its inaugural fund, Fund I, with $20 million in commitments in October 2022. Building on this momentum, they announced the close of their second fund, Fund II, raising an additional $30 million in October 2023. This brings their total capital under management to $50 million across two funds, underscoring their growing presence and capacity to support a diverse portfolio of early-stage companies. Their strategic focus remains on identifying and nurturing the next generation of disruptive businesses from their earliest stages.