Susa Ventures

Susa Ventures, a venture capital firm established in San Francisco, California in 2013, has carved a niche for itself as a leading early-stage investor. The firm was co-founded by Chad Byers, Leo Polovets, and Seth Berman, with its name inspired by the Susa family of mountain gorillas in Rwanda, symbolising resilience, community, and a long-term vision. Susa Ventures' core mission revolves around identifying and nurturing "spiky founders" who are building category-defining companies with novel technological approaches, particularly within the burgeoning artificial intelligence sector.

The firm primarily serves pre-seed and seed-stage technology companies, offering not only crucial capital but also strategic guidance, operational support, and access to an extensive network of industry experts and talent. While historically maintaining a diversified portfolio, Susa Ventures has increasingly concentrated its investment thesis on AI-driven innovation. This includes areas such as alternative AI architectures, custom software and generative AI, AI research assistants, TechBio, energy, AI infrastructure, consumer AI, and risk management solutions.

Susa Ventures differentiates itself through its distinctive "founder-first" approach. The firm is known for its commitment to not taking board seats and a strong belief that founders should never be removed from their businesses, fostering a genuine partnership philosophy. This approach, combined with a highly selective investment strategy where each partner typically backs only two to three companies annually, has contributed to an exceptional track record of success.

Key achievements for Susa Ventures include a reported 10% unicorn rate for companies from its first and second funds, which is approximately ten times the industry average. The firm has successfully raised multiple funds, including its fifth flagship fund of USD 175 million in 2025, and as of May 2025, it manages over USD 1 billion in total assets. Its notable portfolio companies include major players like Robinhood, Flexport, Stord, and Viz.ai, underscoring its ability to identify and support transformative ventures.

Leadership at Susa Ventures is spearheaded by its co-founders, Chad Byers, Seth Berman, and Leo Polovets (now Partner Emeritus), alongside a team of experienced general partners and partners such as Eva Ho, Courtney Buie Lipkin, Hammad Aslam, Joshua Browder, Pratyush Buddiga, and Misha Gordon-Rowe. The team's diverse backgrounds, spanning software engineering, entrepreneurship, and various operational roles, enable them to provide comprehensive support to their portfolio. Susa Ventures continues to be a pivotal force in the early-stage technology ecosystem, shaping the trajectory of emerging technologies through its strategic and founder-centric investments.