# Uncork Capital AI

Uncork Capital AI is an early-stage venture fund based in San Francisco, founded by Jeff Clavier, investing in AI startups with a focus on seed-stage funding.

Uncork Capital AI is an American venture capital firm based in San Francisco, California, that focuses on early-stage investments in artificial intelligence and related technologies. Founded by Jeff Clavier, the firm has evolved from its origins as an angel portfolio into a formal venture fund, with a particular emphasis on seed-stage startups. As of 2024, Uncork Capital has invested in over 260 early-stage companies, including notable names in the AI space such as GPTZero, and has raised multiple funds to support its activities.

The firm's investment strategy centers on [AI](https://www.wikiprompt.org/wiki/artificial-intelligence) ventures, including [machine learning](https://www.wikiprompt.org/wiki/machine-learning), [deep learning](https://www.wikiprompt.org/wiki/deep-learning), and [generative AI](https://www.wikiprompt.org/wiki/generative-ai) applications. It primarily targets software-as-a-service (SaaS), developer tooling, marketplaces, consumer services, and "frontier technology" ventures, aiming to secure between 10-15% ownership in the companies it backs. This approach has positioned Uncork Capital as a significant player in the early-stage AI investment landscape.

## History

Uncork Capital was founded in 2004 by angel investor Jeff Clavier, who transitioned his personal portfolio into a formal venture firm. The firm initially operated under the name SoftTech VC, and in 2017, it was rebranded to Uncork Capital. Over the years, the firm has brought on several partners, including Andy McLoughlin (formerly of Huddle), Susan Liu (formerly of Scale Venture Partners), Tripp Jones (formerly of August Capital), and Amy Saper (formerly of Accel). These partners have contributed to the firm's growth and its focus on early-stage investing.

The firm's history is marked by a series of fund raises that have expanded its capital under management. The first fund raised less than $1 million, while the second fund raised $15 million in 2007. In 2012, Fund III oversubscribed at $55 million, and in 2014, the firm closed its fourth fund at $85 million, bringing capital under management to $155 million. In 2016, the firm raised $100 million for SoftTechVC V and $50 million for a breakout fund. In 2019, Uncork raised $100 million for Uncork VI and $100 million for its second breakout fund, Plus II. In 2023, the firm raised $200 million for Uncork VII and $200 million for Plus III. In 2025, Uncork raised $225 million for Uncork VIII and $75 million for Plus IV, demonstrating continued growth and investor confidence.

## Investment Focus and Strategy

Uncork Capital's investment focus is on early-stage startups, particularly those in the AI and technology sectors. The firm's strategy involves identifying promising founders and technologies at the seed stage, providing not only capital but also strategic guidance and network access. The firm's portfolio includes companies such as LaunchDarkly, Human Interest, Loft Orbital, ClassDojo, Carrot Fertility, Front, Shippo, Hallow, Numeral, and GPTZero, which span various AI applications, from natural language processing to developer tools.

The firm's approach to AI investing is informed by the broader trends in the field, including the rise of [large language models](https://www.wikiprompt.org/wiki/large-language-model) and [transformer](https://www.wikiprompt.org/wiki/transformer) architectures. Uncork Capital has shown interest in startups that leverage these technologies to create innovative products and services, such as GPTZero, which uses AI to detect AI-generated text. The firm's investments are often in companies that are at the forefront of [generative AI](https://www.wikiprompt.org/wiki/generative-ai), a field that has seen rapid growth in recent years.

## Notable Investments and Portfolio

Uncork Capital has a diverse portfolio of investments, with a strong emphasis on AI and technology. Some of its notable investments include Postmates, Eventbrite, Fitbit, and SendGrid, which have become well-known companies in their respective industries. In the AI space, the firm has invested in GPTZero, a tool that detects AI-generated content, and other startups that are leveraging [machine learning](https://www.wikiprompt.org/wiki/machine-learning) and [deep learning](https://www.wikiprompt.org/wiki/deep-learning) to solve real-world problems.

In July 2018, Uncork Capital participated in a $14 million investment into Survata, a market research company, in a Series B round led by Conductive Ventures, along with PivotNorth, Ridge Ventures, Bloomberg Beta, Initialized Capital, and other individual investors. This investment highlights the firm's willingness to participate in later-stage rounds when the opportunity aligns with its thesis.

The firm's portfolio also includes companies in sectors such as healthcare, education, and space technology, reflecting its broad interest in "frontier technology." For example, Loft Orbital is a space infrastructure company, while Carrot Fertility focuses on fertility benefits, and ClassDojo is an education technology platform. These investments demonstrate Uncork Capital's commitment to supporting innovative startups across various domains.

## Impact and Future Outlook

Uncork Capital has established itself as a key player in the early-stage venture capital ecosystem, particularly in the AI sector. The firm's focus on seed-stage funding has allowed it to identify and nurture promising startups before they gain wider attention. With the rapid advancement of AI technologies, including [neural networks](https://www.wikiprompt.org/wiki/neural-network) and [generative AI](https://www.wikiprompt.org/wiki/generative-ai), Uncork Capital is well-positioned to continue investing in companies that are shaping the future of technology.

As of 2025, the firm's latest fund raises, Uncork VIII and Plus IV, totaling $300 million, indicate strong investor confidence and a continued commitment to early-stage investing. The firm's history of successful investments and its strategic focus on AI suggest that it will remain an influential force in the venture capital landscape for years to come.

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Source: https://www.wikiprompt.org/wiki/uncork-capital-ai
License: CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
Last updated: 2026-09-12T22:22:52.657175+00:00