FAQ for Founders
Answers to the questions founders most often ask about working with Outset Capital.
What stage does Outset Capital invest at?
Outset Capital invests at pre-seed and seed — the earliest stages. We are excited to back founders before anyone else, often when there is little more than a team and a prototype.
How big are Outset Capital's checks?
Outset Capital writes small checks of around $300K. 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.
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.
This page describes Outset Capital’s venture investing activity for founders and is not an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy any security.