Behind Genius Ventures

Behind Genius Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm based in Pasadena, California, specializing in pre-seed and seed-stage investments. The firm's core investment thesis revolves around two primary themes: the "Future of Work" and the "Future of Play." This encompasses a broad range of sectors, including the creator economy, gaming, artificial intelligence, productivity tools, and innovative entertainment platforms. They aim to back visionary founders building disruptive technologies that redefine how people work, learn, and engage.

Behind Genius Ventures typically writes initial checks ranging from $250,000 to $1,000,000. This strategic focus allows them to be a significant early partner for nascent startups, providing crucial capital at the foundational stages. Their approach emphasizes deep engagement with portfolio companies, offering strategic guidance and leveraging their network to support growth within their specialized domains.

The firm was co-founded by General Partners Kevin Zhang and Josh Williams, both bringing extensive experience from the tech and venture capital ecosystems. Behind Genius Ventures successfully raised a $10 million Fund I, backed by prominent institutional investors such as Lightspeed Venture Partners, Sequoia Capital, and Andreessen Horowitz, signaling strong confidence from the broader VC community. As of early 2023, their portfolio includes investments in over 30 companies, demonstrating a consistent deployment of capital into their target sectors and reflecting their commitment to these evolving landscapes.