Benchstrength Capital

Benchstrength Capital is a New York-based venture capital firm focused on investing in high-potential, early-stage technology companies that aim to transform business and uplift communities. The firm primarily invests in pre-seed and seed-stage companies across sectors such as enterprise, consumer, fintech, and healthcare. Benchstrength Capital is committed to building, cultivating, and re-architecting networks to expand access to opportunities and foster a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The firm's investment strategy centers on identifying and supporting world-class founders who have been historically overlooked by the industry. By backing founders from diverse backgrounds, Benchstrength Capital seeks to fuel entrepreneurial flywheels that will help create the next class of iconic companies. The firm emphasizes the importance of networks in the venture industry and believes that significant value exists in supporting founders who have been historically overlooked.

Benchstrength Capital's portfolio includes companies like Altis Labs, an AI-powered software company that helps pharmaceutical companies run more accurate and efficient clinical trials; Alta, an AI-based personal stylist and shopping platform; Cashmere, an AI-powered software that helps wealth management firms acquire more clients; and Systole Health, a women's healthcare technology company focused on providing high-quality, group-based cardiometabolic care. The firm closed its first fund at $62 million in December 2024, with investors including the Ford Foundation, GCM Grosvenor, Goldman Sachs Asset Management, and others.

Benchstrength Capital is led by former General Catalyst investors Ken Chenault Jr. and John Monagle, who met as classmates at Harvard Business School and later worked together at General Catalyst before launching the firm. Their combined experience and network are integral to the firm's approach to identifying and supporting transformative technology companies.