We’re not chickens.
We’re principles-driven builders who love backing “different” founders solving “difficult” yet extremely valuable problems.
We’re obsessed with what matters.
Being right about big opportunities, equity-efficient execution paths, avoiding death, and long-term partnerships.
We operate differently than other venture firms
— and take that as a compliment. If we do our job right, we hope to earn the promotion from “investor” to “friend”.
Philosophy
The most transformative companies increase the productivity of the planet, each uniquely contributing to economic growth and shared prosperity.
This pursuit of productivity—amplified by AI-driven innovation across software automation, robotics, and biology—is propelling us toward a future of abundant resources with a cost of living that potentially approaches zero. In such a world, our efforts shift from merely surviving to truly thriving.
Is near-zero cost of living an audacious techno-utopia? Perhaps.
Is it a future worth fighting for? Definitely.
Approach
In Kevin's words:
“Building my first unicorn company made me grateful for investors who showed up—not just in good times, but especially when things get tough. Their guidance and support shaped our journey in ways that extended far beyond mere money.
Now, as investors, we aim to be that kind of partners—the first call in a crisis and the first call in a breakthrough. Trust is built in the trenches, and we earn it by standing with founders when it matters most.”
PEOPLE
Kevin Mahaffey
@dropalltablesKevin began programming Apple II computers at eight years old and never turned back. Before graduating college, he co-founded cybersecurity unicorn Lookout. In 2013, Kevin began investing in startups and subsequently joined Y Combinator as a part-time partner. Since then he has invested in companies such as Lattice, People.ai, Airtable, Benchling, and Sublime Security. In his own words: "I believe businesses are problems to solve. I'm an engineer who loves solving problems regardless of whether they're speed bumps or opportunities to aggressively accelerate."
Amit Gupta
@linktoXprofileAmit has held leadership roles at multiple high-growth companies from early-stage through the public markets, including Qualcomm, INQ Mobile, Lookout, and Benchling. He combines concentrated, early stage investing with a passion for helping technical founders with company building. In some cases that materializes into a role helping in the trenches and in others a more passive, help as needed voice. Amit has helped countless companies directly and as an advisor to Y Combinator Continuity.
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