Rackhouse Venture Capital

Rackhouse Venture Capital is an early-stage venture capital firm specializing in supporting founders and companies at the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and real-world applications. The firm is dedicated to backing data-driven founders, regardless of sector or geography, aiming to make the world more efficient through innovative AI solutions. Rackhouse Ventures Fund II, closed in June 2024 with $45 million in commitments, continues to accelerate early-stage AI startups focused on product-market fit in overlooked niches. The firm's portfolio includes investments in companies like Nash, Syrup Tech, Fathom, Reality Defender, Prelude (New York), and Hipp Health. Rackhouse Ventures is headquartered in San Francisco, California, and has expanded its geographical focus to include regions such as Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, reflecting its commitment to supporting global AI innovation. The firm's investment strategy emphasizes pragmatic founders with agile technology teams and unique distribution strategies, enabling them to respond nimbly to the evolving AI landscape and solve present-day problems. Rackhouse Ventures' approach has been successful, with Fund I ranking in the top 5% according to Cambridge Associates, outperforming 95% of similar funds. The firm continues to identify and back the next generation of AI leaders, focusing on companies that possess a clear and obsessive customer focus, generalist and agile technology organizations, and unique and hard-to-replicate distribution strategies. Rackhouse Ventures is committed to empowering early-stage startups to change the world with data, leveraging its expertise and resources to drive innovation in the AI space.

Founded by Kevin Novak, Uber's first Head of Data Science, Rackhouse Venture Capital has built a team of seasoned industry experts with operational experience in AI/ML. The firm's leadership includes Brendan Baker, who joined as a Partner in January 2025, bringing over a decade of experience in building modern venture capital firms and advising founders. The team also comprises Jan Crisostomo, Operating Partner, and Emma Michaelson, Chief Executive Assistant, among others. This diverse team collaborates to identify and support visionary founders who are solving real-world problems with innovative AI solutions.

Rackhouse Venture Capital's commitment to innovation and excellence is further demonstrated by its strategic partnerships and program initiatives. For instance, the firm collaborated with Village Global's Velocity program to support pre-seed founders, providing capital, a peer cohort, and access to a vast network to help startups progress from 0 to 1. This partnership underscores Rackhouse's dedication to fostering the next generation of AI leaders and its proactive approach to supporting early-stage startups in the AI space.