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Founders Co-op

THE BEST FIRST-CHECK INVESTOR IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST. Not the biggest, just the best.

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Description

Founders Co-op is a premier seed-stage venture capital firm based in Seattle, Washington. Founded in 2008, it is widely recognized as the leading institutional seed fund in the Pacific Northwest, focusing on building a "community of founders" to drive regional innovatio
  • Pre-Seed & Seed: This is the firm’s core focus. They specialize in being the first institutional check, often investing when a team has just a prototype or initial customer interest.
  • Lead Investor: They prefer to lead or co-lead rounds and act as the "active" partner for the founder's first 18–24 monthsMethod: Founders can engage through the Founders Co-op website or via warm introductions from their extensive Seattle-based network.
  • Office Hours: The partners frequently host "Office Hours" and participate in local ecosystem events (like Techstars Seattle or UW spin-outs) to meet founders early.
  • Materials: A pitch deck and a clear vision for how the company will dominate a specific B2B or technical category are required.

Eligibility

  • Geography: Primarily Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon, British Columbia). They are the most active "local" lead investor in this region.
  • Sectors: Strong bias toward B2B SaaS, Cloud Infrastructure, Developer Tools, and AI/ML.
  • Founder Profile: They prioritize technical founders with deep domain expertise in complex industries.

Process

  1. Direct Sourcing: The team focuses heavily on the "Seattle technical core"—founders emerging from Microsoft, Amazon, and the University of Washington.
  2. High-Conviction Vetting: Due diligence focuses on the founder’s technical "superpower" and the market's readiness for their specific solution.
  3. The "Co-op" Model: Once funded, founders are integrated into a peer network of over 100 active portfolio CEOs for real-time problem-solving.
  4. Strategic Preparation: They work closely with founders to prepare the company for a successful Series A raise from top-tier Silicon Valley firms.

What an Applicant can Obtain

  1. Institutional Lead Capital: Access to high-signal funding that validates the company for future investors.
  2. Seattle Network Access: Direct introductions to key executives at major Pacific Northwest tech giants (Microsoft, Amazon, Starbucks, etc.).
  3. Active Mentorship: Hands-on guidance from managing directors Chris DeVore and Aviel Ginzburg, both experienced operators and investors.
  4. Operational Resources: Specialized support in hiring, sales compensation design, and board governance.