Remote First Capital

Remote First Capital is a specialized venture capital firm co-founded by Ryan S. Johnson and Sid Sijbrandij, the CEO of GitLab, a prominent remote-first company. Launched in 2021, the firm is dedicated to investing in early-stage companies that are either enhancing the remote work experience or uniquely leveraging a global workforce. This focused thesis positions them as experts in a rapidly evolving segment of the economy, aiming to support the infrastructure and tools necessary for the future of distributed work.

The firm operates with a clear strategy, primarily targeting seed-stage companies. Their initial fund, Remote First Capital Fund I, aimed for a total of $10 million, having successfully closed on $5 million by May 2021. This capital is deployed to support innovative startups poised to capitalize on the enduring shift towards distributed work models, reflecting a belief that remote work is not merely a temporary trend but a fundamental change in how businesses operate.

Remote First Capital typically writes first checks ranging from $250,000 to $500,000. This range indicates their commitment to providing meaningful early-stage capital to help companies achieve critical milestones and scale their operations. By May 2021, the firm had already made at least 10 investments, demonstrating an active deployment strategy and a strong conviction in their niche. Their hands-on approach, leveraging the extensive experience of its founders in building and scaling remote organizations, provides portfolio companies with strategic guidance beyond just capital, fostering growth within the remote-first ecosystem.