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Key people at Ground Up Ventures.
Ground Up Ventures operates as an early-stage venture capital firm, strategically deploying capital into pre-seed and seed-stage startups across the United States and Israel. The firm distinguishes itself through a deeply engaged partnership model, offering hands-on operational support and acting as an extension of its portfolio companies' teams. This approach prioritizes active collaboration, working closely with founders to navigate challenges and accelerate growth from inception.
The firm was co-founded in 2017 by Cory Moelis and David Stark. Their founding insight centered on addressing the critical need for more than just capital at the earliest stages of company building. They envisioned a venture partner that provides dedicated, in-the-trenches assistance, particularly fostering a bridge for Israeli founders looking to scale their innovations into the American market, leveraging extensive networks and practical experience.
Ground Up Ventures serves a diverse cohort of nascent technology companies, focusing on mission-oriented founding teams with bold visions. The firm aims to be the first call for its founders, offering guidance on product development, market strategy, and talent acquisition. Ultimately, Ground Up Ventures seeks to cultivate a portfolio of resilient, market-defining companies by committing to the long-term success and growth of its entrepreneurial partners.
Key people at Ground Up Ventures.
Ground Up Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm that backs ambitious founders at the pre-seed and seed stages, primarily in the United States and Israel. The firm sees itself as a different kind of venture partner—one that is deeply involved, highly supportive, and relentlessly focused on helping startups “move the needle” from day one. Its mission is to empower the next generation of world-changing entrepreneurs by providing not just capital, but also strategic guidance, credibility, and access to a powerful network.
As generalists, Ground Up invests across sectors including fintech, enterprise software, marketplaces, and consumer products, with a particular emphasis on startups that can create lasting impact. With check sizes typically ranging from $500,000 to $1.5 million, the firm positions itself as a value-add partner whose influence extends well beyond its check size. By acting as a true US–Israel bridge, it helps Israeli founders expand into the US market while connecting US startups with global talent and opportunities, making it a notable player in the cross-border startup ecosystem.
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Founded in 2017, Ground Up Ventures was built on the belief that early-stage founders need more than just money—they need active, hands-on partners who are as committed to their success as they are. The firm was co-founded by Cory Moelis and David Stark, both of whom brought strong operational and investing backgrounds to the table, later joined by Jordan Odinsky as a Partner. Based in New York, the team set out to create a venture firm that operated more like an extension of the founding team than a traditional distant LP.
From the beginning, Ground Up carved out a niche by focusing on pre-seed and seed rounds, often stepping in when startups are still refining product-market fit or preparing for their first meaningful scale. Over time, the firm sharpened its identity as a US–Israel bridge, actively sourcing and supporting Israeli founders while helping them navigate the US ecosystem. This cross-border focus, combined with a reputation for being unusually accessible and founder-friendly, helped Ground Up build a strong reputation among early-stage entrepreneurs and co-investors alike.
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1. Founder-First, Hands-On PartnershipGround Up doesn’t just write checks—it embeds itself in the journey. Founders consistently describe the team as “supportive and active,” involved at both strategic and operational levels. The firm prides itself on being available “from in-the-weeds to twenty thousand feet,” offering everything from hiring advice to board strategy.
2. US–Israel Bridge with Deep TiesFew early-stage firms are as intentionally built to connect the US and Israeli ecosystems. Ground Up leverages its New York base and Israeli relationships to help Israeli startups expand into the US market, while also bringing US-based companies access to top technical talent and innovation hubs in Israel.
3. High-Conviction, High-Engagement ModelWith a relatively concentrated portfolio and a focus on leading or co-leading rounds, Ground Up takes meaningful positions and works hard to earn its spot on cap tables alongside top-tier investors. The firm’s “insane hustle” and out-of-the-box creativity are frequently cited by founders as key differentiators.
4. Network and Credibility AmplificationEven with modest check sizes, Ground Up punches above its weight by opening doors to customers, follow-on investors, and key hires. Its partners are known for lending credibility to early-stage startups, which can be critical in accelerating early traction and fundraising.
5. Generalist Approach with Thematic Focus on ImpactWhile sector-agnostic, Ground Up gravitates toward startups that aim to make a real difference—whether through fintech infrastructure, climate and mobility (e.g., Harbinger), or next-gen financial products (e.g., Pipe, Meridian). This allows the firm to back outlier founders across a range of high-potential domains.
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Ground Up Ventures is riding several powerful trends reshaping the venture landscape: the globalization of startup ecosystems, the rise of remote and cross-border teams, and the increasing importance of early-stage operational support. As more Israeli startups look to scale globally from day one, and more US founders tap into international talent and markets, the need for bridge investors like Ground Up is growing.
The firm is also well-positioned in the current environment where early-stage rounds are becoming more competitive and founder expectations are higher. Founders today don’t just want capital—they want partners who can help them hire, sell, and raise the next round. Ground Up’s model of being deeply involved, highly networked, and founder-aligned aligns perfectly with this shift.
Moreover, by backing companies in fintech, climate tech, and enterprise infrastructure, Ground Up is contributing to foundational layers of the next wave of innovation. Its portfolio includes startups that are redefining how money moves (Meridian), how recurring revenue is financed (Pipe), and how commercial transportation is electrified (Harbinger)—all areas where the timing and market tailwinds are strong.
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Ground Up Ventures is poised to deepen its role as a go-to early-stage partner for ambitious, cross-border founders. As the firm continues to back outliers at the pre-seed and seed stages, its influence will likely grow not just through returns, but through the ecosystem it helps build between the US and Israel.
Looking ahead, the firm may expand its fund size and team to support more companies through Series A and beyond, while staying true to its hands-on, founder-first ethos. The real test will be how many of its portfolio companies go on to become category leaders—and how effectively Ground Up can scale its operational support without diluting its intensity.
In a world where many early-stage firms are becoming more transactional, Ground Up’s bet is that the future belongs to those who are truly in the trenches with founders. If that thesis holds, the firm won’t just be a footnote in cap tables—it will be a defining partner in the next generation of breakout startups.
