Factorial Capital allows these sourcing partners to invest alongside the firm, offering them half the carried interest from deals they bring in. This model enables Factorial to make significant early investments in promising AI startups, giving them an edge over larger firms. The firm typically invests $500,000 per startup and aims to make 30 investments with its first fund. Factorial's portfolio already includes startups like Substrate, Modal, and Factory AI. This approach reflects a broader trend where active founders are increasingly seen as better investors than traditional VCs, as evidenced by similar initiatives like Powerset.
Key takeaways:
- Matt Hartman founded Factorial Capital to focus on technical diligence in venture capital, emphasizing the importance of understanding technology pre-product market fit.
- Factorial Capital relies on a network of technical founders as sourcing partners to identify promising startups with novel technical innovations.
- Sourcing partners at Factorial can invest their own money alongside the firm and receive half the carried interest from deals they bring in.
- Factorial Capital has invested in AI startups like Substrate, Modal, Factory AI, Pika, Patronus, Nomic, Flower, and Adaptive ML, aiming to get ahead of larger firms by investing early.