Backing the foundational layer.
A concentrated portfolio of pre-seed, seed, and Series A companies building at the AI, compute, and distributed systems layer. Lightside leads or co-leads with first checks of $100K–$250K, with selective follow-on into Series A.
The portfolio is being built — quietly.
Fund I is actively deploying. Initial investments will be announced as founders go public with their work.
- StagePre-seed → Seed
- First check$100K – $250K
- Construction20 – 25 companies
- Ownership target5% – 10%
- GeographyWest Coast corridor
A long-term partner, not a spectator.
An extension of the founding team. Lightside is built for founders who value disciplined thinking, intentional execution, and long-term partnership during the earliest and most important stages of company building.
Operator-investor lens
Hands-on experience across product, finance, and systems architecture — not just capital.
University & founder networks
Deep access to emerging research labs and the next wave of technical founders.
Ecosystem participation
Active across venture platforms, founder communities, and institutional partnerships.
Common questions.
The things founders ask before pitching us.
- 01
What should I include in a first pitch?
Keep it short and technical. We're looking for: a one-line description of what you're building, the system or layer it sits at (AI, compute, distributed systems), the technical insight or unfair advantage behind it, the team and why you're the ones to build it, current status (in research, prototype, in production, with revenue), and how much you're raising. A deck, memo, or short Loom all work — we don't have a preferred format.
- 02
What stages do you invest in?
Pre-seed through Series A, with the majority of Fund I deployed at pre-seed and seed. First checks are $100K – $250K and we're comfortable being the first institutional capital on the cap table. We follow on selectively into rounds we lead or co-lead.
- 03
Do I need a warm introduction?
No. Cold pitches go to abhi@lightside.vc or through the form on this site. We read everything and respond within a week.
- 04
Are you sector- or geography-restricted?
We focus on deep-technology infrastructure across AI, compute, and distributed systems. Geographically we're concentrated in the West Coast corridor — Los Angeles, the Bay Area, Seattle, and Phoenix — but we'll meet exceptional technical founders anywhere.