Uncork Capital

Uncork Capital, formerly known as SoftTech VC, stands as a prominent seed-stage venture capital firm based in San Francisco, California. With a rich history spanning over two decades, the firm has established itself as a key early-stage investor in the United States, particularly within the technology sector. Uncork Capital is renowned for its focus on foundational investments in promising startups across various high-growth areas, including Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), consumer applications, marketplaces, hardware, and emerging technologies. The firm's evolution from SoftTech VC to Uncork Capital in 2017 marked a strategic rebranding that reflected its refined investment thesis and continued commitment to backing visionary founders at their earliest stages.

The firm's investment strategy centers on providing crucial capital and strategic support during the critical seed phase. Uncork Capital typically writes initial checks ranging from $1 million to $3 million, positioning itself to be a significant early partner for nascent companies. This initial commitment can be followed by substantial additional investments, with the firm capable of deploying up to $10 million over the lifetime of a portfolio company, demonstrating a strong commitment to supporting successful ventures through subsequent funding rounds. Their latest fund, Uncork Capital VII, closed in 2022 with $200 million in committed capital, underscoring their continued capacity and ambition to invest in a new generation of startups.

Uncork Capital's portfolio boasts a diverse array of successful companies that have gone on to achieve significant milestones, including Postmates, Poshmark, SendGrid, Vercel, Chime, and Front. The firm prides itself on a hands-on approach, working closely with founders to navigate the challenges of early-stage growth, product development, and market fit. Their deep expertise across their target sectors, combined with a robust network, provides portfolio companies with valuable resources beyond just capital. This comprehensive support system aims to accelerate growth and maximize the potential for long-term success, solidifying Uncork Capital's reputation as a founder-friendly and impactful seed-stage investor.