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Commonweal Ventures

We back founders building America's future

New York, NY, USA

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Description

Commonweal Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm based in New York that backs founders building category-defining companies in sectors critical to national interests, specifically those that partner with government to unlock scale. 
  • Pre-Seed and Seed: The firm primarily focuses on the earliest stages of a startup's journey.
  • Series A: They also participate in Series A rounds, frequently leading or following in the investment.Government
  • Partnership: Commonweal targets startups where government acts as a core growth lever—through scale, data, regulatory power, or direct funding.
  • Key Sectors: Its 2026 priorities include Defense & Aerospace, Healthcare, Clean Energy, Cybersecurity, Infrastructure, Financial Services, and Public Safety.
  • Method: Founders typically engage through warm introductions or by contacting the investment team directly via LinkedIn or their professional network.
  • Selection Criteria: They seek "mission-critical" technologies where government partnership (as a customer, regulator, or data source) provides a competitive "unfair advantage."

Eligibility

  • Sectors: Defense & Aerospace, Healthcare, Clean Energy, Cybersecurity, and Public Safety.
  • Geography: Primarily focused on the United States.
  • Thesis: Startups must be solving a problem that is a priority for the American public and the government.

Process

  1. Thesis Alignment: Evaluation of how the startup fits into sectors critical to national interest (e.g., Defense, Healthcare, Infrastructure).
  2. Due Diligence: Rigorous vetting of the technical product and the founder’s ability to navigate complex, regulated markets.
  3. Political Intelligence: The firm utilizes its "Political Capital" team—including former mayors and cabinet members—to assess the startup's potential for government scale.
  4. Investment & Board Seat: Upon closing, the firm often takes an active role, frequently including a board seat or observer status.

What an Applicant can Obtain

  1. Strategic Capital: Significant funding to bridge the gap between early development and massive scale.
  2. Regulatory Guidance: Access to a "political machine room" that helps startups navigate policy hurdles and government contracting.
  3. Hiring Support: Assistance in recruiting executive talent, particularly for government relations and specialized engineering roles.
  4. Network Access: Direct connections to senior public officials and a community of "American-built" technology leaders.