Theo Osborne

Theo Osborne is a Managing Partner at 9Yards Capital, an early-stage venture capital firm based in San Francisco, California. With a robust background in finance, including experience in TMT Investment Banking at Goldman Sachs and Private Equity at Silver Lake, Osborne brings a sharp analytical and strategic perspective to his investment decisions. His leadership at 9Yards Capital, which he co-founded, demonstrates a clear focus on identifying and fostering the growth of emerging technology companies from their foundational stages.

9Yards Capital primarily targets investments in Seed and Series A stage technology companies. The firm's investment thesis is centered on identifying and backing "category-defining companies" that are leveraging "transformative technologies." Their portfolio reflects a strong inclination towards sectors such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), SaaS, Fintech, Future of Work, Developer Tools, Cybersecurity, and Infrastructure. The firm emphasizes building deep, collaborative partnerships with founders, aiming to provide not only capital but also strategic guidance and operational support to accelerate their portfolio companies' development.

9Yards Capital successfully closed its inaugural fund, Fund I, at $100 million in 2022, providing significant capital for their investment activities. Since its inception, the firm has been highly active, building a diverse portfolio of over 20 companies. Notable investments include high-profile AI startups such as AssemblyAI, Pika, Perplexity AI, and Suno, showcasing their ability to identify promising ventures in cutting-edge technological domains. For initial investments, the firm typically targets check sizes ranging from $1 million for promising seed-stage companies up to $7 million for leading or co-leading Series A rounds, reflecting their commitment to supporting companies through critical early growth phases.