Ryan Gembala

Pathbreaker Ventures is a venture capital firm based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2015 by Ryan Gembala. The firm focuses on early-stage investments in emerging technologies, particularly in artificial intelligence, robotics, augmented reality, virtual reality, and connected technologies such as autonomous vehicles and smart homes. Pathbreaker Ventures typically invests between $100,000 and $300,000 in pre-seed to Series B rounds, often collaborating with other early-stage investors to support its portfolio companies.

The firm's investment strategy centers on partnering with specialized founders who are solving complex technical problems with the potential for generational impact. Pathbreaker Ventures seeks to support visionary entrepreneurs building foundational technologies, often in areas like enterprise SaaS, AI/ML, data infrastructure, and developer tools. The firm is known for its deep technical understanding and hands-on approach with portfolio companies, providing guidance and resources to help them scale and succeed.

Pathbreaker Ventures has a diverse portfolio that includes companies such as Spiketrap, Safely You, Iron Ox, Simbe Robotics, and Mux. These investments span various sectors, including hardware, data services, AI, and robotics, reflecting the firm's commitment to supporting innovative solutions across multiple industries. The firm's focus on early-stage investments allows it to play a pivotal role in nurturing startups from their inception, contributing to the growth and development of the technology sector.