Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about working with SUM Ventures.

The basics

SUM primarily invests in startups based in North America, but we are open to opportunities globally. We look for strong founder teams with innovative solutions, regardless of location. Our goal is to support entrepreneurs wherever they can successfully execute and scale.

We invest early—typically in the Pre-Seed to Series A range. Our philosophy is to phase our capital commitments over time, helping founders hit key milestones without overcapitalizing too soon. This approach often leads to higher overall returns and a more sustainable path to growth.

While warm introductions from our network are always welcome, we encourage founders who resonate with our investment philosophy and values to reach out via our website or other direct channels.

How we invest

At SUM, we:

Phase Investments: Deploy capital in tranches that align with founders' progress.
Collaborate with Founders: Provide strategic and operational support without micromanaging.
Engage in Partnerships: Work closely with larger funds and CVCs for co-investments and follow-on rounds.
Focus on Values: Uphold integrity, respect, and diversity in every partnership.

We are sector-agnostic but gravitate toward markets with high growth potential. Whether it's software, deep tech, consumer products, or frontier technologies, we look for compelling solutions that address real-world needs and demonstrate scalability.

Our core criteria include:

Founding Team: Vision, domain expertise, grit, and alignment with our values.
Market Opportunity: Large or rapidly expanding markets.
Product Differentiation: Clear competitive advantage or unique value proposition.
Business Model: Capital efficiency and strong potential for scalable revenues.

We look for founders who are passionate, mission-driven, and possess deep knowledge of their industry. Teams that value collaboration, integrity, and adaptability resonate well with us. Ultimately, we want to partner with leaders who can both inspire and execute.

The terms

We're flexible. We're happy to lead when we believe our expertise and networks can bring significant value. However, we also participate alongside other strong lead investors, including larger funds and CVC arms.

Our initial checks typically range from a one hundred thousand dollars to one million, depending on the stage, market potential, and the capital needs of the company. We reserve additional capital for follow-on investments in companies that demonstrate strong progress.

Yes. Part of our phased investment strategy involves reserving capital for follow-ons. We double down on the companies that show strong traction and alignment with their milestones.

The firm

SUM Ventures was created to champion founders who are building the future. We saw a need for an early-stage firm that combines disciplined capital deployment with a high-touch, value-added approach. Our mission is to empower founders, foster innovation, and deliver strong returns.

This varies based on market conditions. On average, we make 12 new investments annually to ensure we can provide each portfolio company with the attention and support it deserves: five seed, five pre-seed, and two follow-on investments.

Founders describe us as collaborative, supportive, and transparent. We strive to be responsive partners who respect the founder's vision while offering strategic guidance, resources, and introductions. Our approach is hands-on but never overbearing. We are often a founder's first call to address challenges and celebrate victories.

In addition to capital, we offer:

Strategic Guidance: Market analysis, product-market fit, and go-to-market strategy.
Operational Expertise: Hiring, financial planning, and governance.
Network Introductions: Access to potential customers, co-investors, and advisors.
Peer Community: We encourage our founders to learn from one another through our portfolio network.

Philosophy

At SUM Ventures, seed-stage investing is not just our core focus—it's where we believe we can create the most impact. We prioritize internal rate of return (IRR) over assets under management (AUM) because we know that to succeed in venture capital, you need to take a focused, thoughtful approach. Venture capital has often become conflated with growth equity, but at SUM Ventures, we believe that to do venture properly, you must be able to make $500k to $1M investments that truly move the needle for a seed fund. We don't take a "spray and pray" approach—we work closely with our founders, nurturing them and scaling our capital alongside them as they validate their business models. This focus allows us to identify exceptional founders early and support them in ways that have a lasting impact.

My journey—from an Air Force officer to a startup founder—revealed a major gap in early-stage support, which led me to launch SUM Ventures. I saw how critical the early stages are to a company's long-term success and how many founders struggled without the right connections and resources. That's why our approach is built around supporting high-potential founders from the earliest stages. We write pre-seed checks and provide not just capital, but hands-on collaboration. From day one, we help founders navigate the challenges of building a company, identify key inflection points, and scale strategically as they gain traction.

Our strategy is also strengthened by a network I've cultivated over a decade of investing in early-stage companies. As the sole General Partner, I've built deep relationships with top investors, co-investors, and corporate partners, all of whom share our commitment to supporting high-potential startups. This vast network gives us unparalleled access to the best deals and ensures that our portfolio companies are always at the forefront of opportunities. We collaborate closely with corporate partners like Siemens, Distillery, Quantiva, and Douglas Elliman, who bring invaluable expertise and resources to help our founders scale successfully.

What truly sets SUM Ventures apart is the value we add once we make an investment. We don't just write checks and walk away—we stay actively engaged with our founders, offering strategic guidance, introductions to key players, and support through every challenge they face. Our founders know that we are their first call—whether celebrating a win or dealing with a setback. As our companies grow and approach Series A, we connect them with later-stage funds and co-investors who help them scale beyond the early stages.

We believe in investing in the best—no exceptions. Diversity is important to us, but it's never about diversity for its own sake. We invest in founders because they are the best, and we're proud of the diverse group we back. Our founders know that they received our investment because we believe in their potential to build market-leading companies. At SUM Ventures, we pride ourselves on having superior skin in the game: all our partners are also investors in the fund, aligning our interests with those of the entrepreneurs we support. This shared commitment ensures a higher batting average with exits and fosters greater accountability throughout the process.

We are building a community of innovative entrepreneurs from diverse sectors and geographies, all with big ideas. At SUM Ventures, we know that true innovation can come from anywhere, and we seek to support founders who challenge the status quo. With our extensive network of global Partners and LPs, including major angel investor organizations, we stay ahead of the curve and are uniquely positioned to discover and nurture the next generation of visionary founders. Our approach, combined with our unparalleled network and commitment to providing value beyond capital, ensures that we are not only able to source the best deals but also set up our founders for success throughout their journey.

If this message resonates with you, we invite you to join us at our monthly pitch event and become an active part of our community.

Have a question that's not answered here? Contact us.