Radical Ventures is a venture capital firm that invests exclusively in companies built around artificial intelligence. Founded in 2017 by Jordan Jacobs and Tom Mitchell, the firm focuses on early-stage startups that develop or apply AI technologies, including machine learning, deep learning, and large language models. Its investments span applied AI companies in fields such as healthcare, robotics, and financial services, as well as infrastructure and research-driven ventures.
The firm is headquartered in Toronto, Canada, and operates offices in San Francisco and New York City. Radical Ventures manages several funds, with a reported total of over $1 billion in assets under management as of 2025. It is known for taking a thesis-driven approach, prioritizing founders with deep technical expertise and a commitment to building responsible AI systems.
Investment Strategy and Focus
Radical Ventures targets AI-native companies rather than established firms adding AI features. The firm typically leads seed and Series A rounds, with checks ranging from $5 million to $50 million. Its thematic focus includes AI for science, autonomous systems, and generative AI applications that create new markets. The firm emphasizes long-term partnerships, often providing operational support in areas such as talent acquisition, regulatory navigation, and go-to-market strategy.
Notable portfolio companies include Cohere, a large language model startup founded by former Google DeepMind researchers; Waabi, an autonomous trucking company; and Deep Genomics, which applies AI to drug discovery. The firm also backed Sana Biotechnology and Axon AI, though specific details of these investments are not publicly documented.
AI Research and Academic Ties
The firm maintains close connections with academic AI institutions. Co-founder Tom Mitchell is a professor at Carnegie Mellon University and a former chair of the machine learning department. The firm has supported research initiatives at the University of Toronto and Stanford's AI Lab, and it collaborates with researchers such as Geoffrey Hinton and Yoshua Bengio on advisory matters. Radical Ventures also funds fellowships and workshops aimed at bridging academic breakthroughs with commercial applications.
Key People and Leadership
Jordan Jacobs, a former managing partner at a technology-focused law firm, leads the firm's investment strategy and fundraising efforts. Tom Mitchell, a pioneer in machine learning and co-author of the widely used textbook Machine Learning, provides technical guidance. The team includes partners with backgrounds in engineering, product management, and venture capital, such as former Microsoft and Google executives. The firm is known for recruiting practitioners with hands-on AI experience, including alumni from OpenAI and DeepMind.
Impact and Recognition
Radical Ventures has emerged as one of the most active AI-focused venture firms in North America. Its early bet on generative AI predated the broader venture rush following the release of ChatGPT in late 2022. The firm has been featured in industry reports by CB Insights and PitchBook as a leading AI investor. Its portfolio companies have collectively raised over $3 billion in follow-on funding from investors such as NVIDIA, Microsoft, and Amazon Web Services.
Future Outlook
As of 2025, Radical Ventures continues to raise new funds and expand its geographic footprint. The firm has announced plans to invest in AI infrastructure, including neural network hardware and data-centric startups. It also runs an annual AI conference, 'Radical AI Summit,' which convenes founders, researchers, and policymakers to discuss the future of the field. The firm's leadership expects AI to reshape most industries over the next decade, and it aims to back companies that define that transformation.