Precursor Ventures

Precursor Ventures is a prominent San Francisco-based pre-seed and seed-stage venture capital firm, founded and led by Managing Partner Charles Hudson. The firm distinguishes itself by its foundational investment philosophy: prioritizing the entrepreneurial team and their vision over a fully developed product. This "people over product" approach enables Precursor to engage with founders at the absolute earliest stages of their journey, often when they are still refining their ideas or just beginning to build. The firm is also recognized for its commitment to fostering diversity within its portfolio, actively seeking out and supporting founders from underrepresented backgrounds.

Since its inception, Precursor Ventures has demonstrated a remarkable trajectory of growth and influence in the early-stage funding ecosystem. The firm successfully raised its debut fund of $15 million in 2015, progressively expanding its capital base with subsequent funds. This growth culminated in the closing of its fourth fund, Precursor Ventures IV, which secured $80 million in commitments in March 2022. This consistent increase in fund size underscores strong investor confidence in Precursor's strategy and its ability to identify promising early-stage opportunities.

Precursor Ventures typically deploys initial checks ranging from $250,000 to $750,000, although some investments may fall outside this range depending on the specific stage and needs of the startup. The firm has built an extensive portfolio, having invested in over 300 companies across various sectors, including enterprise software, fintech, consumer applications, and healthcare technology. Beyond capital, Precursor provides significant hands-on support to its portfolio companies, assisting with critical early-stage challenges such as talent acquisition, subsequent fundraising strategies, and leveraging its vast network to accelerate growth. This comprehensive support system, combined with its early-stage focus and commitment to diverse founders, positions Precursor Ventures as a key player in the venture capital landscape.