FAQ for Founders

About Outset Capital

Outset Capital is a San Francisco venture firm run by AI practitioners and Y Combinator founders. We back founders at the earliest stages — idea, pre-seed, and seed — often before anyone else is willing to write a check.

We write small, non-lead checks averaging around $400K and partner alongside top-tier leads. Rather than competing to lead your round, we work to be the most helpful investor per dollar on your cap table. We invest in AI, developer tools, robotics, and the future of work across the US and Canada.

What makes Outset distinct is that we have actually built. Our team has trained foundation models with 100B+ parameters, scaled engineering teams from 200 to 1200, and taken products from 0 to 1. There are only three of us, but we can speak from experience to the challenges technical founders face. Outset Capital is a US firm and is not affiliated with Outset Ventures, the New Zealand deep-tech fund.

What stage does Outset Capital invest at?

Outset Capital invests at the earliest stages: idea, pre-seed, and seed. We are excited to back founders before anyone else, often when there is little more than a team, a thesis, and an early prototype.

How big are Outset Capital's checks?

Outset Capital writes small checks averaging around $400K. We size our checks to be a meaningful, helpful participant in your round without crowding out your lead.

Does Outset Capital lead rounds?

No — Outset writes small, non-lead checks alongside top-tier leads. We are not competing for the lead position or for board seats; we work to be the most helpful investor per dollar on your cap table.

What does Outset Capital invest in?

Outset Capital invests in AI, developer tools, robotics, and the future of work. We are especially drawn to technical founders building at the frontier of these areas, and we invest across the US and Canada.

Where does Outset Capital invest?

Outset Capital invests in startups based in the United States and Canada.

Who runs Outset Capital?

Outset Capital is run by Ali Rohde, Kanjun Qiu, and Josh Albrecht — AI practitioners and Y Combinator founders who have built foundation models and scaled engineering teams. Outset Capital is a US firm and is not affiliated with Outset Ventures, the New Zealand fund.

How do I pitch Outset Capital?

The best way to reach Outset Capital is through a warm introduction from a founder or investor we know, but we read inbound too. Keep it short: tell us what you're building, why now, and why you. We move quickly and aim to give founders a clear answer fast.