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ZenStone Venture Capital

North America, California, United States, Santa Clara

Description

ZenStone Venture Capital is a Santa Clara, California-based venture capital firm specializing in investments in post-seed and early-venture stage companies. The firm primarily targets businesses driven by technology and data, aiming to support their growth from initial product-market fit through early commercial scaling. With a focus on the burgeoning tech ecosystem, ZenStone seeks to identify and back innovative startups poised for significant disruption within their respective industries.

The firm's investment strategy is characterized by its engagement in relatively early-stage funding rounds. According to Crunchbase, ZenStone Venture Capital manages a total fund amount of $10 million, indicating a focused approach to capital deployment. This fund size suggests that ZenStone typically writes checks that are substantial enough to be meaningful for early-stage companies while allowing for a diversified portfolio. For instance, the firm notably acted as a lead investor in Mynd's $2.5 million seed funding round in September 2023, demonstrating their capacity to anchor significant early-stage capital raises. While their portfolio is still developing, this investment exemplifies their commitment to leading rounds for promising tech and data-driven ventures.

ZenStone Venture Capital's approach appears to involve a hands-on engagement with its portfolio companies, leveraging its expertise to guide founders through critical growth phases. Given its relatively recent establishment and limited public investment history, with only two reported investments to date, ZenStone is likely in the early stages of deploying its capital. The firm's presence in Santa Clara, a hub for technological innovation, positions it strategically to access a pipeline of high-potential startups. Their investment thesis centers on identifying companies that can harness data and technology to create scalable solutions, aligning with the broader trends of digital transformation across various sectors.

Investor Profile

ZenStone Venture Capital has backed more than 40 startups, with 0 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 3 rounds, about 8% of its total and boasts 16 exits across its portfolio.

Investment Focus Highlights

  • Concentrates on Series A, Seed, Series B rounds (top funding stages).
  • Majority of deals are located in United States, Canada, Ireland.
  • Strong thematic focus on Software, Real Estate, FinTech.
  • Typical check size: $500K – $2M.

Stage Focus

  • Series A (30%)
  • Seed (30%)
  • Series B (18%)
  • Series Unknown (15%)
  • Series C (5%)
  • Convertible Note (3%)

Country Focus

  • United States (90%)
  • Canada (3%)
  • Ireland (3%)
  • Brazil (3%)
  • Latvia (3%)

Industry Focus

  • Software
  • Real Estate
  • Fintech
  • Financial Services
  • Finance
  • Apps
  • Marketplace
  • Hardware
  • Internet
  • Analytics
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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn who this investor regularly partners with—both firms and angels—and explore their latest activity.

Who does ZenStone Venture Capital frequently co-invest with?

Homebrew
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Co-Investments: 3
Kleiner Perkins
North America, California, United States, Menlo Park
Co-Investments: 4
SC
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Co-Investments: 5
FundersClub
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Co-Investments: 4
500 Global
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Co-Investments: 4
Crosslink Capital
North America, California, United States, Menlo Park
Co-Investments: 5
CSC Upshot
North America, California, United States, Palo Alto
Co-Investments: 5
Flight Ventures
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Co-Investments: 3
Marc Bell Ventures
North America, Florida, United States, Boca Raton
Co-Investments: 3
Expansion Venture Capital
North America, New York, United States, New York
Co-Investments: 3

Which angels does ZenStone Venture Capital often collaborate with?

Daniel Curran
North America, California, United States, Santa Monica
Shared Deals: 10
BW
North America, California, United States, Los Angeles
Shared Deals: 4
FG
North America, New York, United States, New York
Shared Deals: 2
ZC
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Shared Deals: 1
Cyan Banister
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Shared Deals: 2
SB
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Shared Deals: 3
NR
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Shared Deals: 2
Chris Sang
Oceania, New South Wales, Australia, Sydney
Shared Deals: 3
SP
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Shared Deals: 2
BN
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Shared Deals: 1

What are some of recent deals done by ZenStone Venture Capital?

DecorMatters

Santa Clara, California, United States

Building the world's first blockchain-based creativity ecosystem for the trillion dollar home renovation industry

Artificial Intelligence (AI)Augmented RealityBlockchainInterior DesignOnline GamesReal Estate
Series UnknownDec 3, 2019
Amount Raised: $10,000,000
Bolt

San Francisco, California, United States

Bolt is a fintech company that facilitates one-click online checkouts.

E-CommerceFraud DetectionMobile PaymentsPayments
Series BJun 1, 2018
Amount Raised: $22,000,000
EquityZen

New York, New York, United States

EquityZen is a marketplace that connects buyers and sellers of private company shares.

FinanceFinancial ServicesFinTechPaymentsTrading Platform
Series BJul 18, 2017
Amount Raised: $3,000,000
Nav

Draper, Utah, United States

Nav bridges the gap between SMB and financial institutions by bringing transparency, certainty, and efficiency to B2B credit and financing.

FinanceFinancial ServicesFinTech
Series BMay 3, 2017
Amount Raised: $37,662,398
DecorMatters

Santa Clara, California, United States

Building the world's first blockchain-based creativity ecosystem for the trillion dollar home renovation industry

Artificial Intelligence (AI)Augmented RealityBlockchainInterior DesignOnline GamesReal Estate
SeedMar 30, 2017
Amount Raised: $1,000,000
Kinsa

San Francisco, California, United States

Kinsa is a health technology company that primarily offers a thermometer application.

AppsChild CareHardwareHealth CaremHealthSoftware
Series BMar 8, 2017
Amount Raised: $17,000,000
DecorMatters

Santa Clara, California, United States

Building the world's first blockchain-based creativity ecosystem for the trillion dollar home renovation industry

Artificial Intelligence (AI)Augmented RealityBlockchainInterior DesignOnline GamesReal Estate
SeedSep 1, 2016
Amount Raised: $500,000
sourceeasy

San Francisco, California, United States

Sourceasy is a web platform that enables designers and brands to get their apparel manufactured and delivered to them.

ApparelFashionManufacturingSaaSSupply Chain Management
SeedAug 31, 2016
Amount Raised: $1,330,000
Wrapify

San Francisco, California, United States

Wrapify is an omni-channel advertising company for brands powered by the gig-economy.

AdvertisingAdvertising PlatformsSharing EconomySoftware
Convertible NoteMay 3, 2016
Amount Raised: $2,100,000
Roofstock

Oakland, California, United States

Roofstock is an online marketplace for investing in leased single-family rental homes.

FinTechMarketplacePropTechReal EstateRental Property
Series AMar 3, 2016
Amount Raised: $7,000,000