Uncork Capital

Uncork Capital is a San Francisco-based venture capital firm that plays a pivotal role in the seed-stage investment landscape. Founded in 2004 by Jeff Clavier, initially as SoftTech VC, the firm rebranded to Uncork Capital in 2017 to better reflect its enduring mission to back bold founders at the earliest stages. With over two decades of continuous seed-stage investing, Uncork Capital has established itself as a trusted partner for entrepreneurs navigating the complex journey of building category-defining companies.

The firm distinguishes itself through a founder-first, partnership-driven approach, emphasising deep operational support alongside capital. Uncork Capital operates on a philosophy of high conviction, moving quickly to lead early rounds and committing to long-term relationships with founders. Rather than a "spray and pray" model, they focus on selective investments, believing that the earliest stage is where true relationships form and where they can make a significant difference beyond just writing a cheque. They prioritise founder-market fit above all else, seeking individuals with sharp insights and the drive to build what others cannot yet envision.

Uncork Capital primarily serves early-stage startups, from pre-seed through Series A, with a keen focus on those building AI-native companies and leveraging emerging technologies. Their investment sectors include B2B applications and services, developer tools, infrastructure and security, consumer services and marketplaces, and frontier technology, encompassing areas like space, robotics, and AI-powered hardware. The firm’s impressive track record includes backing over 290 companies, achieving more than 100 meaningful outcomes, and contributing to over $60 billion in exit enterprise value. Notable exits include industry giants such as Postmates, SendGrid, Eventbrite, Poshmark, and Fitbit.

The leadership team at Uncork Capital brings a wealth of experience and expertise. Jeff Clavier, the Founding Partner, transitioned from day-to-day management to focus on frontier tech investments in May 2025, with Andy McLoughlin stepping into the role of sole Managing Partner. The investment team also includes General Partners Amy Saper, Susan Liu, and Tripp Jones, all of whom contribute to the firm's strategic direction and founder support. Uncork Capital actively supports its portfolio companies through an "Operations and Platform Team" which offers resources for talent acquisition, marketing, and professional development, solidifying their commitment to helping founders thrive from inception to scale.