Draper Associates

Draper Associates, established in 1985, is a California-based venture capital firm specializing in seed-stage investments. The company focuses on backing exceptional teams globally that are developing transformative technologies in sectors such as new media, gaming, SaaS, cloud, fintech, IoT, and mobile. Draper Associates aims to facilitate growth and industry disruption, with portfolio companies demonstrating significant market impact and potential for future fundraising.

Sahir Ali

Limited Partner

Maxime Bucaille

Investor

Megan Kurohara

Investor

Tyrone Lee

Venture Partner

Siri Srinivas

Principal and Investment Team

Past deals in Smart Cities

Near Space Labs

Series B in 2025
Near Space Labs, headquartered in the United States, is an aerial imagery and earth observation company that provides comprehensive remote sensing solutions for various sectors. The company's services facilitate the monitoring of assets and enable remote access to both broad and specific areas through cloud-based delivery of fully processed images via an API. Near Space Labs supports a range of industries including insurance, utilities, infrastructure, conservation, smart cities, retail, energy, government, and disaster response. By offering affordable and frictionless imaging, the company assists clients in tracking construction progress, addressing issues such as pipeline leaks and vegetation encroachment, and responding to weather-induced damage, thereby providing actionable geospatial information that enhances mobility, leisure, and urban planning.

Alef Aeronautics

Venture Round in 2023
Alef is a sustainable electric transportation company designing and developing a road-legal passenger vehicle capable of achieving vertical takeoff and forward flight. Alef’s goal is to enable faster, easier commutes and alleviate the burden of urban congestion thanks to proprietary technology that elevates their vehicle safely and quietly above everyday traffic. Alef Aeronautics was established in 2015 by Pavel Markin, Oleg Petrov, Jim Dukhovny, and Constantine Kisly in Santa Clara, California.

Alef Aeronautics

Seed Round in 2022
Alef is a sustainable electric transportation company designing and developing a road-legal passenger vehicle capable of achieving vertical takeoff and forward flight. Alef’s goal is to enable faster, easier commutes and alleviate the burden of urban congestion thanks to proprietary technology that elevates their vehicle safely and quietly above everyday traffic. Alef Aeronautics was established in 2015 by Pavel Markin, Oleg Petrov, Jim Dukhovny, and Constantine Kisly in Santa Clara, California.

TRAXyL

Seed Round in 2022
TRAXyL, Inc. specializes in the innovative installation of optical fiber by providing a unique distribution system that allows for the direct application of fiber communications onto road surfaces. Founded in 2014 and based in Warrenton, Virginia, the company has developed a method that eliminates the need for traditional trenching, thus facilitating faster deployment of broadband services. This technology not only enhances connectivity in underserved areas but also supports the rollout of 5G networks, making it easier for municipalities and internet service providers to improve access in various locations, including campuses, hospitals, and military bases.

TRAXyL

Seed Round in 2022
TRAXyL, Inc. specializes in the innovative installation of optical fiber by providing a unique distribution system that allows for the direct application of fiber communications onto road surfaces. Founded in 2014 and based in Warrenton, Virginia, the company has developed a method that eliminates the need for traditional trenching, thus facilitating faster deployment of broadband services. This technology not only enhances connectivity in underserved areas but also supports the rollout of 5G networks, making it easier for municipalities and internet service providers to improve access in various locations, including campuses, hospitals, and military bases.

Alef Aeronautics

Seed Round in 2021
Alef is a sustainable electric transportation company designing and developing a road-legal passenger vehicle capable of achieving vertical takeoff and forward flight. Alef’s goal is to enable faster, easier commutes and alleviate the burden of urban congestion thanks to proprietary technology that elevates their vehicle safely and quietly above everyday traffic. Alef Aeronautics was established in 2015 by Pavel Markin, Oleg Petrov, Jim Dukhovny, and Constantine Kisly in Santa Clara, California.

Alef Aeronautics

Seed Round in 2021
Alef is a sustainable electric transportation company designing and developing a road-legal passenger vehicle capable of achieving vertical takeoff and forward flight. Alef’s goal is to enable faster, easier commutes and alleviate the burden of urban congestion thanks to proprietary technology that elevates their vehicle safely and quietly above everyday traffic. Alef Aeronautics was established in 2015 by Pavel Markin, Oleg Petrov, Jim Dukhovny, and Constantine Kisly in Santa Clara, California.

Arrow Labs

Series A in 2021
Arrow Labs is a mobility software manufacturer based in Dubai, specializing in niche applications and mobility solutions for various industries. The company's flagship product, the Arrow Labs MIMS, serves as an advanced mobility platform tailored for the modern workforce. By leveraging machine learning, process automation, and workforce optimization technology, Arrow Labs develops workforce management solutions designed to enhance the management of field resources through smart technology wearables and services. Their modular system caters to sectors such as facility management, hospitality, logistics, security, and transport, enabling clients to improve operational efficiencies, boost productivity, and lower operating costs. Arrow Labs' experience in creating and architecting critical medium and large-scale solutions positions them as a key player in the mobility software market.

Alef Aeronautics

Seed Round in 2020
Alef is a sustainable electric transportation company designing and developing a road-legal passenger vehicle capable of achieving vertical takeoff and forward flight. Alef’s goal is to enable faster, easier commutes and alleviate the burden of urban congestion thanks to proprietary technology that elevates their vehicle safely and quietly above everyday traffic. Alef Aeronautics was established in 2015 by Pavel Markin, Oleg Petrov, Jim Dukhovny, and Constantine Kisly in Santa Clara, California.

Near Space Labs

Seed Round in 2018
Near Space Labs, headquartered in the United States, is an aerial imagery and earth observation company that provides comprehensive remote sensing solutions for various sectors. The company's services facilitate the monitoring of assets and enable remote access to both broad and specific areas through cloud-based delivery of fully processed images via an API. Near Space Labs supports a range of industries including insurance, utilities, infrastructure, conservation, smart cities, retail, energy, government, and disaster response. By offering affordable and frictionless imaging, the company assists clients in tracking construction progress, addressing issues such as pipeline leaks and vegetation encroachment, and responding to weather-induced damage, thereby providing actionable geospatial information that enhances mobility, leisure, and urban planning.

Alef Aeronautics

Seed Round in 2018
Alef is a sustainable electric transportation company designing and developing a road-legal passenger vehicle capable of achieving vertical takeoff and forward flight. Alef’s goal is to enable faster, easier commutes and alleviate the burden of urban congestion thanks to proprietary technology that elevates their vehicle safely and quietly above everyday traffic. Alef Aeronautics was established in 2015 by Pavel Markin, Oleg Petrov, Jim Dukhovny, and Constantine Kisly in Santa Clara, California.

Alef Aeronautics

Pre Seed Round in 2017
Alef is a sustainable electric transportation company designing and developing a road-legal passenger vehicle capable of achieving vertical takeoff and forward flight. Alef’s goal is to enable faster, easier commutes and alleviate the burden of urban congestion thanks to proprietary technology that elevates their vehicle safely and quietly above everyday traffic. Alef Aeronautics was established in 2015 by Pavel Markin, Oleg Petrov, Jim Dukhovny, and Constantine Kisly in Santa Clara, California.
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