Underscore VC

2015

Founded

68

Investments

United States

Offices

Venture Fund

Investor Type

About

Underscore VC is a Boston-based venture capital firm founded in 2015, specializing in early-stage investments in B2B software startups at the pre-Seed and Seed stages. The firm is renowned for its hands-on approach to business building and its commitment to fostering a supportive community for entrepreneurs. Underscore VC has pioneered an open-source investing model, sharing profits with experts in their Core Community to align interests with founders.

This collaborative approach has led to investments in various sectors, including cloud cost intelligence, conversational platforms, and personalized retail experiences. Notable portfolio companies include CloudZero, Hi Marley, and Coda. In April 2024, Underscore VC closed its third fund at $58 million, slightly exceeding its initial target of $50 million.

The fund attracted 85 investors and marked a significant leadership transition, with Lily Lyman promoted to managing partner following the passing of co-founder John Pearce. The firm continues to focus on supporting bold entrepreneurs and building a strong community to underscore their success.

Portfolio Companies

CloudZero, Hi Marley, Coda, Kard, Apploi, Vested, Ikigai Labs, Mable, Goldcast, Luminai

Gepgraphic Focus

United States

Key Differentiators

Open-Source Investing Model, Profit Sharing with Core Community, Hands-On Business Building Approach

Thypical Investment Size

Pre-Seed and Seed stages

Total Funds Raised

$58 million

Visit Website

FinTech

HR Tech

SaaS

Software

CloudTech

Developer Tools

Boston

Pre-Seed

Seed

Series A

United States