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Learn which startups Uncork Capital invests in, what size check sizes they write, and who their partners are (e.g. Jeff Clavier).
Uncork Capital is an established seed-stage venture firm operating from San Francisco, California. Recognized for its enduring presence in Silicon Valley, the firm serves as a trusted guide for founders, specializing in early-stage investments.
The firm's strategy involves committing capital early, actively assisting with the challenges of company building, and fostering long-term partnerships. With over two decades of experience since its founding in 2004, Uncork Capital has supported more than 275 ventures, contributing to over 100 market-shaping outcomes.
Key people at Uncork Capital.
Uncork Capital has been active for over 20 years, having been founded in 2004, and has made more than 275 investments during this period.
Beyond initial capital, Uncork Capital commits to helping with "the hard stuff" and "sticking around," indicating a hands-on, long-term partnership approach to support founders.
Uncork Capital has been active for over 20 years, having been founded in 2004, and has made more than 275 investments during this period.
Beyond initial capital, Uncork Capital commits to helping with "the hard stuff" and "sticking around," indicating a hands-on, long-term partnership approach to support founders.
Key people at Uncork Capital.
Uncork Capital is a pioneering seed-stage venture capital firm based in Silicon Valley, founded in 2004. Its mission is to back bold, founder-led startups at the earliest stages, providing not only capital but also long-term strategic support. The firm’s investment philosophy centers on identifying outlier founders who leverage technology to solve real-world problems, focusing primarily on sectors such as B2B applications, developer tools, frontier technologies, marketplaces, consumer, and hardware. Uncork Capital typically invests between $1.5 million and $4 million in seed rounds, aiming for meaningful ownership and deep partnerships. Over two decades, it has built a reputation as one of Silicon Valley’s most trusted seed investors, with a portfolio that includes category-defining companies like Postmates, Fitbit, SendGrid, LaunchDarkly, and Tailscale, significantly impacting the startup ecosystem by helping early-stage companies scale and succeed[1][2][3].
Uncork Capital was founded in 2004 by Jeff Clavier, who transitioned from a CTO role in fintech to become one of the earliest seed investors in Silicon Valley. Originally named SoftTech VC, the firm rebranded to Uncork Capital in 2017 to better reflect its mission of “uncorking” potential in startups. Jeff Clavier’s vision was to fill a gap in early-stage funding by providing active support and capital during the critical first 18 months of a startup’s life. Over time, the firm expanded its leadership team to include managing partner Andy McLoughlin and partners Susan Liu, Tripp Jones, and Amy Saper, evolving its focus while maintaining a conviction-led, founder-first approach. The firm has raised multiple funds, including a $225 million seed fund and a $75 million growth fund in 2025, underscoring its growth and sustained commitment to early-stage investing[1][2][4].
Uncork Capital rides the wave of increasing importance of seed-stage venture capital in Silicon Valley, a trend driven by the growing complexity and capital needs of early-stage startups. The firm’s timing and approach align with market forces favoring deep, founder-focused support amid a competitive funding environment. By backing frontier technologies and developer-centric tools, Uncork helps shape emerging tech trends such as AI, space infrastructure, and autonomous vehicles. Its influence extends beyond capital, fostering innovation ecosystems by enabling startups to scale efficiently and attract follow-on investments from top-tier venture firms. This positions Uncork as a critical catalyst in the broader tech innovation landscape[1][2][3][6].
Looking ahead, Uncork Capital is poised to continue its selective, high-conviction seed investing with its latest funds (Uncork VIII and Plus IV) over the next three years. Trends such as AI, automation, and frontier tech will likely shape its portfolio focus, while the firm’s deep operational support and network will remain key competitive advantages. As the startup ecosystem evolves, Uncork’s role as a trusted guide for founders at the earliest stages will likely deepen, potentially expanding its influence into new sectors and geographies. The firm’s enduring commitment to founder partnerships and long-term value creation ties back to its founding ethos of being a founder’s most trusted guide in Silicon Valley[2][3].