Susa Ventures

High-Level Overview

Susa Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm based in San Francisco, dedicated to empowering founders building the next generation of transformative technology companies. The firm’s mission centers on backing “dreamers and builders” at the pre-seed and seed stages, with a philosophy rooted in founder-first support, deep sector expertise, and a commitment to long-term value creation. Susa Ventures invests primarily in data-driven startups that demonstrate strong defensibility—such as proprietary data, network effects, or economies of scale—across sectors including AI, fintech, healthcare, logistics, consumer, and enterprise software. Their impact on the startup ecosystem is notable: Susa boasts a unicorn rate of approximately 10% at the seed stage, ten times the industry average, and has driven high-profile exits such as Robinhood’s IPO and the acquisitions of Casetext and Expanse.

Origin Story

Founded by Seth Berman and Chad Byers, Susa Ventures was named after the Susa family of mountain gorillas in Rwanda, reflecting the firm’s values of resilience, community, and long-term vision. The firm began with a focus on early-stage technology investments, quickly establishing a reputation for identifying and nurturing startups with emerging product-market fit. Over time, Susa evolved to specialize in data-centric companies with strong moats, leveraging its founders’ deep networks and operational experience to provide not just capital but also strategic guidance and access to talent. The firm’s early investments in companies like Robinhood, Flexport, and Viz.ai cemented its position as a leading seed-stage investor in Silicon Valley.

Core Differentiators

• Founder-First Approach: Susa prioritizes founder support over board control, offering accessible mentorship, capital, and operational resources without prescriptive oversight.
• Sector Agnostic, Data-Centric Focus: While sector-agnostic, Susa excels in identifying startups with strong compounding moats—proprietary data, network effects, and scalable business models—across AI, fintech, healthcare, logistics, and enterprise software.
• Exceptional Track Record: With a 10% unicorn rate at seed (vs. 1% industry average), Susa has delivered outsized returns and high-profile exits, including Robinhood’s IPO and acquisitions by major players like Thomson Reuters and Palo Alto Networks.
• Deep Ecosystem Network: The firm fosters a tightly connected community of founders, investors, operators, and advisors, creating a collaborative environment that accelerates portfolio growth.
• Flexible Investment Model: Susa typically invests $500K–$3M in pre-seed and seed rounds, often leading rounds and providing follow-on support through later stages.

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

Susa Ventures is riding the wave of the data-driven economy, where startups leveraging AI, automation, and proprietary data are reshaping industries from finance to healthcare. The firm’s focus on defensibility and long-term moats positions it at the forefront of trends like generative AI, fintech innovation, and digital transformation in healthcare and logistics. By backing companies at the earliest stages, Susa helps shape the trajectory of emerging technologies, influencing how startups scale and how venture capital is deployed in the modern era. Their success reflects a broader shift toward founder empowerment and ecosystem-driven growth in the venture capital landscape.

Quick Take & Future Outlook

Susa Ventures is poised to remain a leading force in early-stage investing as the demand for data-centric, defensible startups continues to grow. The firm’s ability to identify and nurture high-potential founders—combined with its deep sector expertise and collaborative network—positions it to capitalize on emerging trends in AI, fintech, and healthcare. As the venture ecosystem evolves, Susa’s founder-first philosophy and track record of outsized returns will likely attract top talent and shape the next wave of innovation. In a world where data is the new currency, Susa Ventures is not just investing in startups—they’re helping build the future.