Riot Ventures

Riot Ventures is a venture capital firm founded in 2017 by Steve Marcus and Will Coffield, with offices in Boston, Massachusetts, and Los Angeles, California. The firm specializes in pre-seed, seed, and early-stage investments, primarily focusing on deep technology sectors. Riot Ventures targets companies operating in areas such as hardware, software, enterprise, industrial applications, network security, transportation, artificial intelligence, robotics, and communication technologies. The firm typically invests between $0.5 million to $10 million in emerging businesses, aiming to support innovative solutions that drive advancements in intelligence, sensing and control, mobility, and specialized consumer services.

Collier Bern

Partner and Head of Growth

Meghan Moreland

Investor

22 past transactions

Alloy Enterprises

Series A in 2023
Alloy Enterprises Inc. is a company based in Somerville, Massachusetts, that specializes in developing advanced 3D printing technologies aimed at addressing inefficiencies in conventional manufacturing processes. Founded in 2020, Alloy focuses on industrial engineering and manufacturing technology, particularly for aluminum parts. The company's innovative aluminum additive technology allows for the production of dense, low-cost parts without relying on expensive and hazardous powders. This approach helps clients overcome limitations associated with traditional manufacturing methods, fostering innovation and facilitating progress in lightweight design and emissions reduction.

OpenEnvoy

Series A in 2023
OpenEnvoy is a financial software provider that offers automation and insight solutions specifically designed for finance teams. The platform focuses on accounts payable automation and invoice reconciliation, aiming to protect businesses from issues such as duplicate billings, excessive charges, and supplier fraud. By auditing invoices without requiring manual intervention, OpenEnvoy has reviewed over $2 billion in spending, providing companies with real-time visibility into their supplier networks. This approach enables finance teams to achieve immediate returns on investment while managing costs predictably.

Shield AI

Series E in 2022
Shield AI Inc is a San Diego-based company that specializes in developing artificial intelligence systems for national security and first responders. Founded in 2015, the company creates products that enhance safety for service members and civilians through advanced AI technologies. Its prominent offerings include Nova, an autonomous quadcopter drone equipped with lidar technology, capable of navigating in GPS-denied environments to provide real-time imagery and mapping for military operations. Additionally, the company’s Hivemind software allows various unmanned vehicles, including drones and aircraft, to operate autonomously without GPS or human intervention, thereby maintaining maneuverability in contested settings. Shield AI also incorporates the V-BAT, a vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, which has demonstrated resilience in challenging regions such as the Black Sea and the Middle East. The company aims to transform defense operations through innovative machine learning applications, enabling unmanned systems to perform complex tasks in dynamic and unscripted environments.

Rugged Robotics

Series A in 2022
Rugged Robotics Inc., founded in 2018 and based in Houston, Texas, specializes in developing robotic platforms tailored for the commercial construction industry. The company’s flagship product, the Mark I, autonomously marks architectural and engineering designs directly onto concrete floors, facilitating accurate construction layout. This robotic system replaces traditional manual methods, which are often slow and prone to errors, thereby enhancing productivity and efficiency on construction sites. Rugged Robotics positions itself as a provider of layout as a service, offering solutions that not only address real-world construction challenges but also save time and reduce costs for contractors. By scaling its fleet and commercializing its technology, Rugged Robotics aims to deliver accessible, hardware-enabled solutions that significantly improve operational workflows in the construction sector.

Route

Series B in 2022
Route is a shipping platform that enhances the online customer experience by offering a comprehensive solution for tracking and protecting orders. It seamlessly integrates with various retailers, allowing users to monitor their packages visually at any time and from any location. By addressing common shipping challenges, Route aims to foster brand loyalty among consumers by safeguarding their purchases against loss, theft, or damage. The platform provides an efficient way for customers to manage their online purchases, ensuring a reliable and secure delivery process.

Parallel Systems

Series A in 2022
Parallel Systems designs an autonomous, zero-emissions freight transportation system. The company believes the future of freight transportation should be fast, inexpensive, and clean while also reducing congestion on the highways. Parallel Systems develops automated, battery-electric freight rail vehicles aimed at converting freight transportation from trucking to rail. The company focuses on building innovative rail vehicles and integration tools that work seamlessly with existing railroad operations. By utilizing its technology, Parallel Systems enables railroads to serve new markets, particularly for routes less than 1,000 miles. This solution provides a more flexible, zero-emissions alternative for freight movement, complementing traditional freight rail services while expanding operational capabilities and reducing environmental impact.

Elementary Robotics

Series B in 2021
Elementary Robotics, Inc. specializes in manufacturing robots designed to assist humans in various industries, including electronics, automotive, medical, and consumer packaged goods. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Pasadena, California, with additional offices in Mexico and Chicago, the company focuses on automating quality assurance and traceability processes in AI-assisted manufacturing. Its robots are equipped with advanced software, deep learning AI, and camera systems to capture visual data, enabling real-time decision-making and enhancing the efficiency of production lines. By integrating machine learning and computer vision, Elementary Robotics aims to create intelligent automation solutions that improve productivity and streamline workflows in manufacturing and logistics.

Duro

Seed Round in 2021
Duro provides a cloud-based PLM solution to help hardware companies manage the design and manufacturing of their custom hardware products. Duro’s workflow management solution is as simple to use as a spreadsheet but integrates automated data entry and validation to enforce hardware product development best practices.

LynkState

Seed Round in 2021
LynkState provides a digital experience monitoring application that allows clients to create actionable insights and marketing campaigns. The company was founded in 2021 and is headquartered in Walnut, California, United States.

OpenEnvoy

Seed Round in 2021
OpenEnvoy is a financial software provider that offers automation and insight solutions specifically designed for finance teams. The platform focuses on accounts payable automation and invoice reconciliation, aiming to protect businesses from issues such as duplicate billings, excessive charges, and supplier fraud. By auditing invoices without requiring manual intervention, OpenEnvoy has reviewed over $2 billion in spending, providing companies with real-time visibility into their supplier networks. This approach enables finance teams to achieve immediate returns on investment while managing costs predictably.

Alloy Enterprises

Seed Round in 2021
Alloy Enterprises Inc. is a company based in Somerville, Massachusetts, that specializes in developing advanced 3D printing technologies aimed at addressing inefficiencies in conventional manufacturing processes. Founded in 2020, Alloy focuses on industrial engineering and manufacturing technology, particularly for aluminum parts. The company's innovative aluminum additive technology allows for the production of dense, low-cost parts without relying on expensive and hazardous powders. This approach helps clients overcome limitations associated with traditional manufacturing methods, fostering innovation and facilitating progress in lightweight design and emissions reduction.

Bodeswell

Pre Seed Round in 2021
BodesWell specializes in self-service financial planning software aimed at financial institutions, enabling them to offer planning benefits to individuals who do not have access to an advisor. The company's automated tools assist users in tracking budgets and managing investments, focusing on financial milestones such as purchasing a home, funding education, and preparing for retirement. By integrating BodesWell's solutions into existing online platforms, established financial services companies can effectively reach and support underserved customers. In June 2022, BodesWell was acquired by American Express, further enhancing its capacity to deliver comprehensive financial planning resources.

Standard Metrics

Seed Round in 2020
Standard Metrics is an automated financial cooperation platform that assists investors and creators in smarter, more forward-thinking decisions. Say goodbye to data silos in spreadsheets, personal inboxes, and archaic applications. Access firm data throughout the portfolio, from financial metrics to investment information, and engage in real-time with the team and founders.

Oxide Computer Company

Seed Round in 2019
Oxide Computer Company is a maker of server racks for on-premises compute infrastructure. The company uses technology to bring cloud hyper-scale innovations in the areas of density, efficiency, cost, reliability, manageability, and security of hardware and software, as well as the ability to segment racks into zones or regions based on where the rack is located, allowing companies and IT professionals to access computer infrastructure built with innovation and to deliver hyper-scale cloud computing.

Shield AI

Series B in 2019
Shield AI Inc is a San Diego-based company that specializes in developing artificial intelligence systems for national security and first responders. Founded in 2015, the company creates products that enhance safety for service members and civilians through advanced AI technologies. Its prominent offerings include Nova, an autonomous quadcopter drone equipped with lidar technology, capable of navigating in GPS-denied environments to provide real-time imagery and mapping for military operations. Additionally, the company’s Hivemind software allows various unmanned vehicles, including drones and aircraft, to operate autonomously without GPS or human intervention, thereby maintaining maneuverability in contested settings. Shield AI also incorporates the V-BAT, a vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, which has demonstrated resilience in challenging regions such as the Black Sea and the Middle East. The company aims to transform defense operations through innovative machine learning applications, enabling unmanned systems to perform complex tasks in dynamic and unscripted environments.

Toast

Series E in 2019
Toast is an all-in-one point-of-sale and restaurant management platform for businesses in the food service and hospitality space. As a cloud-based system built specifically for restaurants, Toast offers advanced functionality including tableside ordering, quick menu modifications, real-time enterprise reporting, online ordering, and labor management on an easy-to-use interface. The company powers successful restaurants by combining point-of-sale, front-of-house, back-of-house, and guest-facing technology with an unequaled commitment to customer success. It enables the community of restaurateurs to delight guests and thrive.

Desktop Metal

Series E in 2019
Desktop Metal is a leading provider of additive manufacturing technologies, materials, and applications for industrial, medical, and consumer product production. The company's innovative 3D printing systems, materials, and software enable on-demand, digital mass production that delivers the speed, cost-efficiency, and part quality required for this transformative shift in manufacturing.

Elementary Robotics

Seed Round in 2018
Elementary Robotics, Inc. specializes in manufacturing robots designed to assist humans in various industries, including electronics, automotive, medical, and consumer packaged goods. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Pasadena, California, with additional offices in Mexico and Chicago, the company focuses on automating quality assurance and traceability processes in AI-assisted manufacturing. Its robots are equipped with advanced software, deep learning AI, and camera systems to capture visual data, enabling real-time decision-making and enhancing the efficiency of production lines. By integrating machine learning and computer vision, Elementary Robotics aims to create intelligent automation solutions that improve productivity and streamline workflows in manufacturing and logistics.

Rugged Robotics

Pre Seed Round in 2018
Rugged Robotics Inc., founded in 2018 and based in Houston, Texas, specializes in developing robotic platforms tailored for the commercial construction industry. The company’s flagship product, the Mark I, autonomously marks architectural and engineering designs directly onto concrete floors, facilitating accurate construction layout. This robotic system replaces traditional manual methods, which are often slow and prone to errors, thereby enhancing productivity and efficiency on construction sites. Rugged Robotics positions itself as a provider of layout as a service, offering solutions that not only address real-world construction challenges but also save time and reduce costs for contractors. By scaling its fleet and commercializing its technology, Rugged Robotics aims to deliver accessible, hardware-enabled solutions that significantly improve operational workflows in the construction sector.

System1 Biosciences

Series A in 2018
System1 Biosciences, Inc., is a San Francisco-based neurotherapeutics company that employs phenotypic screening to discover novel drugs for complex neurological and psychiatric diseases such as epilepsy, autism, and schizophrenia, disorders for which current discovery techniques have proved least successful. System1 combines cerebral organoid science, systems neuroscience, robotic automation, and advanced data analytics to discover characterizations of disease never before achievable. These “deep phenotypes” are exploited to identify novel therapeutic targets and drug treatments.

Sentenai

Seed Round in 2016
Sentenai Inc. is a Boston-based company that specializes in a cloud-based platform designed to automate data engineering for machine learning and predictive applications, particularly in the Internet of Things (IoT) and logistics sectors. Founded in 2015, Sentenai provides a service that connects intelligent systems to the necessary data for real-time decision-making. Its platform integrates distributed systems and applied machine learning to automatically organize sensor data streams, rendering them searchable and accessible. By automating data integration and enabling continuous analysis, Sentenai allows organizations to gain a comprehensive view of their systems, facilitating agile decision-making and generating actionable insights from operational data.

Simbe Robotics

Seed Round in 2016
Simbe Robotics automates repetitive tasks in retail execution. Tally, performs the repetitive and laborious tasks of auditing shelves for out-of-stock items, low stock items, misplaced items, and pricing errors. Tally operates safely during normal store hours alongside shoppers and employees.
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