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Stage 1 Ventures

North America, Massachusetts, United States, Waltham

Description

Stage 1 Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm based in Waltham, Massachusetts, dedicated to partnering with entrepreneurs building disruptive technology companies. Founded in 2005, the firm has established itself as a consistent presence in the early-stage investment landscape, focusing on Seed, Series A, and Series B rounds. Their approach emphasizes building strong relationships with founders, providing not just capital but also strategic guidance and operational support to help nascent companies scale and achieve their potential.

The firm's investment strategy is characterized by its flexibility and commitment to long-term partnerships. Stage 1 Ventures typically deploys initial checks ranging from $1 million to $5 million, while also reserving significant capital for follow-on rounds to support portfolio companies through subsequent growth phases. This patient capital approach allows them to be a consistent partner as companies mature. They actively seek out innovative solutions across various technology sectors, demonstrating a broad interest in transformative ideas.

To date, Stage 1 Ventures has built a robust portfolio, having invested in approximately 45 companies since its inception. This extensive track record includes a number of successful exits, underscoring their ability to identify and nurture promising ventures. The firm is currently deploying capital from its third fund, Stage 1 Ventures III, which contributes to their total raised capital of $120 million across all funds. Their commitment to early-stage technology companies, combined with their hands-on approach and substantial capital reserves, positions Stage 1 Ventures as a notable player in the US venture capital ecosystem.

Investor Profile

Stage 1 Ventures has backed more than 90 startups, with 2 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 19 rounds, about 21% of its total and boasts 18 exits across its portfolio.

Investment Focus Highlights

  • Concentrates on Seed, Series A, Series Unknown rounds (top funding stages).
  • Majority of deals are located in United States, Ireland, Spain.
  • Strong thematic focus on Software, Mobile, Advertising.
  • Typical check size: $1M – $5M.

Stage Focus

  • Seed (28%)
  • Series A (26%)
  • Series Unknown (13%)
  • Pre Seed (13%)
  • Series B (12%)
  • Series C (3%)
  • Series E (2%)
  • Angel (1%)
  • Convertible Note (1%)

Country Focus

  • United States (98%)
  • Ireland (1%)
  • Spain (1%)

Industry Focus

  • Software
  • Mobile
  • Advertising
  • Saas
  • E-commerce
  • Automotive
  • Internet
  • Information Technology
  • Analytics
  • Agriculture
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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 Stage 1 Ventures frequently co-invest with?

LaunchCapital
North America, Connecticut, United States, New Haven
Co-Investments: 7
Sun Mountain Capital
North America, New Mexico, United States, Santa Fe
Co-Investments: 3
Cottonwood Technology Fund
North America, New Mexico, United States, Santa Fe
Co-Investments: 3
NXT Ventures
North America, Massachusetts, United States, Marblehead
Co-Investments: 3
Techstars
North America, Colorado, United States, Boulder
Co-Investments: 3
Google Ventures
North America, California, United States, Mountain View
Co-Investments: 3
CM
North America, Massachusetts, United States, Cambridge
Co-Investments: 3
Atlas Venture
North America, Massachusetts, United States, Cambridge
Co-Investments: 3
Detroit Venture Partners
North America, Michigan, United States, Detroit
Co-Investments: 4
Boston Seed Capital
North America, Massachusetts, United States, Boston
Co-Investments: 3

Which angels does Stage 1 Ventures often collaborate with?

AB
North America, Massachusetts, United States, Boston
Shared Deals: 1
BB
North America, Florida, United States, Tampa
Shared Deals: 2
SS
North America, Massachusetts, United States, Boston
Shared Deals: 1
DV
North America, Massachusetts, United States, Boston
Shared Deals: 1
MD
North America, Massachusetts, United States, Boston
Shared Deals: 2
Shared Deals: 1
WW
North America, Massachusetts, United States, Boston
Shared Deals: 2
Dave Balter
North America, Massachusetts, United States, Boston
Shared Deals: 1
MP
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Shared Deals: 1
SD
North America, Massachusetts, United States, Boston
Shared Deals: 3

What are some of recent deals done by Stage 1 Ventures?

Zeno Power

Washington, District of Columbia, United States

Zeno is developing next-generation radioisotope power systems that generate carbon-free, resilient power for decades.

AerospaceClean EnergyNuclear
Series BMay 14, 2025
Amount Raised: $50,000,000
Vizit

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Vizit is a visual AI platform that optimizes ecommerce content for conversions.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)Content CreatorsEnterprise SoftwareMachine LearningPredictive Analytics
Series BOct 2, 2024
Amount Raised: $25,000,000
Gigpro

Charleston, South Carolina, United States

GigPro is a platform that connects people looking for work in the hospitality industry.

HospitalityHuman ResourcesMobile AppsRecruiting
Series AJul 9, 2024
Amount Raised: $16,000,000
LandTrust

Bozeman, Montana, United States

LandTrust is a marketplace where people can list, discover, and book private land for hunting, fishing, and outdoor experiences.

MarketplaceOutdoorsSustainability
Series ADec 15, 2022
Amount Raised: $6,792,248
Freight Farms

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Freight Farms offers high-volume crop production units made from upcycled shipping containers to support farming in any climate.

AgricultureFarmingFood and BeverageOrganic Food
Series BNov 15, 2022
Amount Raised: $17,500,000
CloudTruth

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

CloudTruth is a cloud configuration intelligence service firm.

SaaSSoftware
SeedNov 10, 2022
Amount Raised: $2,400,000
Senda Biosciences

Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

Senda Biosciences is a therapeutics platform company leveraging unprecedented insights into the molecular connections between humans.

BiotechnologyHealth CareLife Science
Series CAug 16, 2022
Amount Raised: $123,000,000
WiTricity

Watertown, Massachusetts, United States

WiTricity Corporation provides technology to enable wireless power transfer over distance using magnetic resonance.

CleanTechElectrical DistributionWireless
Series UnknownAug 9, 2022
Amount Raised: $63,000,000
XY Retail

New York, New York, United States

XY Retail is a modern, cloud based platform that simplifies commerce for brands to sell globally across physical stores and eCommerce.

E-CommerceRetail Technology
SeedJun 30, 2022
Amount Raised: $4,000,000
Wyebot

Marlborough, Massachusetts, United States

Wyebot develops an AI-driven WiFi automation platform designed to solve network problems in real time.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)Information TechnologyNetwork SecurityWireless
Series AMay 5, 2022
Amount Raised: $8,044,243