First Round Capital

First Round Capital is a venture capital firm founded in 2004 and based in San Francisco, California. It specializes in seed-stage investments, primarily focusing on technology, healthcare, and consumer sectors. The firm aims to support early-stage companies, often acting as their first source of outside capital, with typical initial investments around $500,000. First Round Capital takes an active role in its portfolio companies, fostering a community of entrepreneurs through various services, including custom software and unique in-person experiences. The firm has helped its founders raise over $2.5 billion in follow-on capital, showcasing its effective support for burgeoning businesses. Additionally, First Round Capital has initiated a VC-sponsored Exchange Fund, allowing its entrepreneurs to share in the performance of their collective investments. With offices in Philadelphia, San Francisco, and New York, the firm continues to invest nationally, focusing on nurturing innovative ideas and helping small companies grow into significant players in their respective markets.

Meka Asonye

Partner

Hayley Barna

Partner

Brett Berson

Partner

Jeffrey Donnon

CFO

Annie Duke

Special Partner

Molly Fowler

CEO

Amy Fu

Vice President, Investments

Rob Hayes

Partner

Todd Jackson

Partner

Josh Kopelman

Partner

Whitnie Narcisse

Operating Partner

Cory Perkins

Partner Operations Manager

Bill Trenchard

Partner

Liz Wessel

Partner

James Wu

Infrastructure and AI / ML Investor

Past deals in Peer to Peer

Promise

Series B in 2022
Promise Network Inc. is a technology company that has developed an application platform aimed at providing holistic support to individuals involved in the criminal justice system. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Oakland, California, Promise offers a range of services designed to reduce recidivism and foster safer communities. The platform includes intake and assessment tools for evaluating risks and needs, ongoing support for communication and service coordination, and supervision features that ensure transparency and accountability. By working with county governments, Promise provides a cost-effective alternative to incarceration for arrestees who cannot afford bail. The tailored plans offered to participants encompass court-mandated conditions and connections to essential services such as drug treatment, housing, mental health support, and job training, ultimately helping individuals achieve their goals and improve long-term outcomes.

Wisdom

Seed Round in 2021
Wisdom provides a platform for one-to-one style conversations with a focus on mentoring.

Promise

Series A in 2021
Promise Network Inc. is a technology company that has developed an application platform aimed at providing holistic support to individuals involved in the criminal justice system. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Oakland, California, Promise offers a range of services designed to reduce recidivism and foster safer communities. The platform includes intake and assessment tools for evaluating risks and needs, ongoing support for communication and service coordination, and supervision features that ensure transparency and accountability. By working with county governments, Promise provides a cost-effective alternative to incarceration for arrestees who cannot afford bail. The tailored plans offered to participants encompass court-mandated conditions and connections to essential services such as drug treatment, housing, mental health support, and job training, ultimately helping individuals achieve their goals and improve long-term outcomes.

Telepath

Seed Round in 2020
Telepath provides a social network application that enables users to discuss their interests. Its platform is secure and easier, enabling users to connect with each other very easily.

Persona

Series A in 2020
Persona is a company that specializes in identity verification, helping businesses establish trust in online interactions. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in San Francisco, Persona provides a comprehensive suite of automated identity verification tools designed to address various needs, including age verification, fraud prevention, and account recovery. The system allows for the configuration and branding of custom-tailored workflows, making it adaptable to diverse use cases. By managing the complex processes of collecting, verifying, and handling sensitive personal information, Persona enables organizations to focus on their core product development while ensuring secure and efficient identity verification.

Laurel

Series A in 2019
PING, Inc. is a company that manufactures and sells golf equipment, including grips, apparel, bags, gloves, headwear, towels, headcovers, and umbrellas. Established in 1959, the company is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, and distributes its products through various retailers both in the United States and internationally, as well as through online channels. In a separate context, a different company named Ping, founded in 2016 and based in San Francisco, specializes in AI-powered timekeeping solutions for lawyers and data analytics for large law firms, addressing major challenges in the legal industry. However, PING, Inc. focuses exclusively on the golf equipment market.

Persona

Venture Round in 2018
Persona is a company that specializes in identity verification, helping businesses establish trust in online interactions. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in San Francisco, Persona provides a comprehensive suite of automated identity verification tools designed to address various needs, including age verification, fraud prevention, and account recovery. The system allows for the configuration and branding of custom-tailored workflows, making it adaptable to diverse use cases. By managing the complex processes of collecting, verifying, and handling sensitive personal information, Persona enables organizations to focus on their core product development while ensuring secure and efficient identity verification.

Rare Bits

Series A in 2018
Rare Bits, Inc. operates an online marketplace for buying and selling cryptocurrency-based assets, primarily focusing on non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Founded in 2017 and based in San Francisco, the platform allows users to discover, manage, and trade over 500,000 unique digital items that are secured on the blockchain. Users can engage in peer-to-peer transactions and participate in auctions without incurring fees. By integrating blockchain technology with web browser extensions, Rare Bits aims to enhance digital ownership and keep users informed about market trends.

Promise

Seed Round in 2018
Promise Network Inc. is a technology company that has developed an application platform aimed at providing holistic support to individuals involved in the criminal justice system. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Oakland, California, Promise offers a range of services designed to reduce recidivism and foster safer communities. The platform includes intake and assessment tools for evaluating risks and needs, ongoing support for communication and service coordination, and supervision features that ensure transparency and accountability. By working with county governments, Promise provides a cost-effective alternative to incarceration for arrestees who cannot afford bail. The tailored plans offered to participants encompass court-mandated conditions and connections to essential services such as drug treatment, housing, mental health support, and job training, ultimately helping individuals achieve their goals and improve long-term outcomes.

Papaya

Seed Round in 2018
Papaya is a developer of an online mobile bill payment application that simplifies financial transactions for users. The application supports various payment methods, including debit and credit cards and direct bank account transfers. It prioritizes security by encrypting personal information and payment data, ensuring compliance with HIPAA and PCI standards. In addition to its bill payment services, Papaya operates as an electronic money platform, offering digital solutions, online banking, and international payment services. This combination of features enables users to manage their financial activities efficiently and securely.

PacketZoom

Series A in 2017
PacketZoom, Inc. provides cloud services to eliminate performance roadblocks on mobile applications. It has strategic alliances with Accellion, Inc. The company was founded in 2013 and is based in San Mateo, California. As of October 11, 2018, PacketZoom, Inc. operates as a subsidiary of Roblox Corporation.

Laurel

Seed Round in 2017
PING, Inc. is a company that manufactures and sells golf equipment, including grips, apparel, bags, gloves, headwear, towels, headcovers, and umbrellas. Established in 1959, the company is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, and distributes its products through various retailers both in the United States and internationally, as well as through online channels. In a separate context, a different company named Ping, founded in 2016 and based in San Francisco, specializes in AI-powered timekeeping solutions for lawyers and data analytics for large law firms, addressing major challenges in the legal industry. However, PING, Inc. focuses exclusively on the golf equipment market.

Plexchat

Seed Round in 2017
Plexchat, Inc. is a mobile chat platform designed specifically for gamers, facilitating communication and coordination around gaming interests. Founded in 2015 and based in Redwood City, California, Plexchat offers a mobile application available on both iOS and Android. The platform enables users to connect and engage in meaningful conversations within large open communities, fostering a collaborative environment where gamers can share feedback and coordinate gameplay. Acquired by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment in July 2018, Plexchat aims to enhance the social experience for gamers by providing a dedicated space for interaction in a largely anonymous setting, addressing the chaos often found in broader social networks.

Upstart

Series C in 2017
Upstart is an online lending platform that utilizes artificial intelligence and machine learning to streamline the borrowing process and enhance credit assessment. Founded in 2012 and based in San Mateo, California, Upstart connects consumers with a network of AI-enabled bank partners, allowing for a more efficient lending experience. The platform evaluates potential borrowers using a proprietary underwriting model that considers factors such as education, area of study, and employment history, rather than relying solely on traditional credit scores. This innovative approach enables banks to achieve higher approval rates and lower loss rates while providing a digital-first experience for customers. Upstart offers a variety of loan products, including personal loans, automotive loans, home equity lines of credit, and small dollar loans, catering to diverse consumer needs.

PacketZoom

Venture Round in 2016
PacketZoom, Inc. provides cloud services to eliminate performance roadblocks on mobile applications. It has strategic alliances with Accellion, Inc. The company was founded in 2013 and is based in San Mateo, California. As of October 11, 2018, PacketZoom, Inc. operates as a subsidiary of Roblox Corporation.

PatientPing

Series A in 2015
PatientPing, Inc. operates a national care coordination network designed to connect healthcare providers through real-time notifications when patients receive care. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, the company offers technology solutions for various healthcare stakeholders, including Accountable Care Organizations, hospitals, payers, and post-acute care facilities. Its network comprises a range of healthcare professionals, such as emergency case managers, primary care physicians, and care coordinators, facilitating improved collaboration and information sharing. PatientPing also features a tool called Spotlights, which analyzes real-time data to identify trends in healthcare utilization and performance. The company has formed a strategic partnership with MedAllies, Inc. and operates as a subsidiary of SVB Leerink Holdings LLC, focusing on enhancing patient outcomes and experiences through coordinated care.

Abra

Series A in 2015
Abra is a digital cash, peer-to-peer money transfer network that enables users to buy, sell, and hold bitcoin, as well as send both bitcoin and fiat currencies to any bitcoin wallet or other Abra users. Founded in 2014 by Bill Barhydt, the company leverages bitcoin and blockchain technology to facilitate transactions in over 50 currencies. Abra aims to provide a secure and instant method for transferring money, allowing users to do so without incurring fees through its mobile platform. Based in Silicon Valley, Abra is focused on transforming the way money moves globally.

Upstart

Series C in 2015
Upstart is an online lending platform that utilizes artificial intelligence and machine learning to streamline the borrowing process and enhance credit assessment. Founded in 2012 and based in San Mateo, California, Upstart connects consumers with a network of AI-enabled bank partners, allowing for a more efficient lending experience. The platform evaluates potential borrowers using a proprietary underwriting model that considers factors such as education, area of study, and employment history, rather than relying solely on traditional credit scores. This innovative approach enables banks to achieve higher approval rates and lower loss rates while providing a digital-first experience for customers. Upstart offers a variety of loan products, including personal loans, automotive loans, home equity lines of credit, and small dollar loans, catering to diverse consumer needs.

Abra

Series A in 2015
Abra is a digital cash, peer-to-peer money transfer network that enables users to buy, sell, and hold bitcoin, as well as send both bitcoin and fiat currencies to any bitcoin wallet or other Abra users. Founded in 2014 by Bill Barhydt, the company leverages bitcoin and blockchain technology to facilitate transactions in over 50 currencies. Abra aims to provide a secure and instant method for transferring money, allowing users to do so without incurring fees through its mobile platform. Based in Silicon Valley, Abra is focused on transforming the way money moves globally.

Threadflip

Series B in 2014
Threadflip was an online platform designed for women to buy and sell clothing, fostering a peer-to-peer shopping experience. The marketplace aimed to transform how women styled their wardrobes by providing a collaborative and inspirational environment that emphasized efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Although Threadflip ceased operations in January 2015, it had established a partnership with Le Tote, which may have continued its vision in some capacity.

Path

Series C in 2014
Path is a mobile photo-sharing and messaging service designed to facilitate personal social networking among users and their closest contacts, limited to 150 connections. The platform emphasizes simplicity, quality, and privacy, aiming to enhance the way individuals share their life's moments with friends and family. Path offers features that enable users to capture and share experiences in a secure environment, underlining the importance of close relationships. The service has evolved with a focus on creating meaningful connections, reflecting the belief that mobile technology can transform social interactions.

Preo

Seed Round in 2013
Preo is a free ordering app that increases efficiency within the hospitality industry to create a world with no lines for customers. Their differentiation is in their automatic notification system that fits directly into the server's workflow. Servers view receipts to make orders and serve customers at the bar or to tables. Consumers don't need to fight for the wait staff’s attention, and staff will save on payment processing time (~50% of each drink order). Preo helps venues improve their service operations, identify their best customers and offer promotions to those customers for social media engagement. Beverage brands also offer free drinks through the app in exchange for social media shares & engagements.

Upstart

Series A in 2013
Upstart is an online lending platform that utilizes artificial intelligence and machine learning to streamline the borrowing process and enhance credit assessment. Founded in 2012 and based in San Mateo, California, Upstart connects consumers with a network of AI-enabled bank partners, allowing for a more efficient lending experience. The platform evaluates potential borrowers using a proprietary underwriting model that considers factors such as education, area of study, and employment history, rather than relying solely on traditional credit scores. This innovative approach enables banks to achieve higher approval rates and lower loss rates while providing a digital-first experience for customers. Upstart offers a variety of loan products, including personal loans, automotive loans, home equity lines of credit, and small dollar loans, catering to diverse consumer needs.

Upstart

Series A in 2013
Upstart is an online lending platform that utilizes artificial intelligence and machine learning to streamline the borrowing process and enhance credit assessment. Founded in 2012 and based in San Mateo, California, Upstart connects consumers with a network of AI-enabled bank partners, allowing for a more efficient lending experience. The platform evaluates potential borrowers using a proprietary underwriting model that considers factors such as education, area of study, and employment history, rather than relying solely on traditional credit scores. This innovative approach enables banks to achieve higher approval rates and lower loss rates while providing a digital-first experience for customers. Upstart offers a variety of loan products, including personal loans, automotive loans, home equity lines of credit, and small dollar loans, catering to diverse consumer needs.

Perceptual Networks

Seed Round in 2012
Perceptual Networks was formed to make it easy for everyone to find the best people for them to meet next in their lives. Whether you are looking for an employee, a golf buddy, a spouse or a roommate, they're making apps for that.

Upstart

Seed Round in 2012
Upstart is an online lending platform that utilizes artificial intelligence and machine learning to streamline the borrowing process and enhance credit assessment. Founded in 2012 and based in San Mateo, California, Upstart connects consumers with a network of AI-enabled bank partners, allowing for a more efficient lending experience. The platform evaluates potential borrowers using a proprietary underwriting model that considers factors such as education, area of study, and employment history, rather than relying solely on traditional credit scores. This innovative approach enables banks to achieve higher approval rates and lower loss rates while providing a digital-first experience for customers. Upstart offers a variety of loan products, including personal loans, automotive loans, home equity lines of credit, and small dollar loans, catering to diverse consumer needs.

Threadflip

Series A in 2012
Threadflip was an online platform designed for women to buy and sell clothing, fostering a peer-to-peer shopping experience. The marketplace aimed to transform how women styled their wardrobes by providing a collaborative and inspirational environment that emphasized efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Although Threadflip ceased operations in January 2015, it had established a partnership with Le Tote, which may have continued its vision in some capacity.

Threadflip

Seed Round in 2012
Threadflip was an online platform designed for women to buy and sell clothing, fostering a peer-to-peer shopping experience. The marketplace aimed to transform how women styled their wardrobes by providing a collaborative and inspirational environment that emphasized efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Although Threadflip ceased operations in January 2015, it had established a partnership with Le Tote, which may have continued its vision in some capacity.

SchoolFeed

Seed Round in 2012
schoolFeed, a San Mateo, CA-based classmate network online. Launched in July 2011 by Lance Tokuda, schoolFeed connects online users between the ages of 35-55, who didn’t have social networks while in school, and may have difficulty locating classmates today. The classmate network offers an online yearbook and class directory with news feed, interest subscriptions and virtual currency. It is already used by over 7 million users

turntable.fm

Series A in 2011
Turntable.fm is a project of [Seth Goldstein](http://www.crunchbase.com/person/seth-goldstein) and [Billy Chasen](http://www.crunchbase.com/person/billy-chasen), the two guys who brought us [Stickybits](http://www.crunchbase.com/organization/stickybits). Users in each dance room has an avatar and can chat with each other. Users can create their own playlist and get up in the DJ booth to battle it out. Turntable.fm a social music platform that encourages hanging out with people and discovering music. If a DJ is playing a song you like, you can add it to your playlist, buy it on iTunes, find it on Last.fm, or launch Spotify. In November 2013, Turntable announced they would be shutting down turntable.fm to focus on their live events platform.

Path

Series A in 2011
Path is a mobile photo-sharing and messaging service designed to facilitate personal social networking among users and their closest contacts, limited to 150 connections. The platform emphasizes simplicity, quality, and privacy, aiming to enhance the way individuals share their life's moments with friends and family. Path offers features that enable users to capture and share experiences in a secure environment, underlining the importance of close relationships. The service has evolved with a focus on creating meaningful connections, reflecting the belief that mobile technology can transform social interactions.

Transpera

Series C in 2010
Transpera is a mobile technology company that specializes in monetizing videos for mobile devices. It offers a comprehensive platform that connects online content owners, network operators, and advertisers through its patent-pending advertising technology. This solution facilitates the effective deployment of mobile video services, allowing video publishers to mobilize and distribute their content to mobile users. Additionally, Transpera provides brand owners and advertisers with a direct avenue for reaching their target audiences, enhancing the video offerings available through mobile carriers. The company serves various internet video brands, helping them navigate the complexities of mobile video monetization.

PeerPong

Venture Round in 2010
PeerPong is the world's largest index of expertise. The free service makes it fun and easy to find the right person to answer any question. PeerPong's PeerRank is constantly improving and growing, indexing people based on their publicly demonstrated interest. Learn more about PeerPong and its approach to providing expert answers on the PeerPong blog at http://blog.peerpong.com/. Sign up at peerpong.com.

Transpera

Series B in 2008
Transpera is a mobile technology company that specializes in monetizing videos for mobile devices. It offers a comprehensive platform that connects online content owners, network operators, and advertisers through its patent-pending advertising technology. This solution facilitates the effective deployment of mobile video services, allowing video publishers to mobilize and distribute their content to mobile users. Additionally, Transpera provides brand owners and advertisers with a direct avenue for reaching their target audiences, enhancing the video offerings available through mobile carriers. The company serves various internet video brands, helping them navigate the complexities of mobile video monetization.

Pikum

Series A in 2008
Backed by First Round Capital and Virgin, Pikum is a new kind of betting game created and played between friends online. It can be played for fun, or where possible, money. It's simple, social, fun, and hopes to capitalize on people's love of predicting, debating, and bragging when they're right.

Flowgram

Seed Round in 2008
[Flowgram](http://www.flowgram.com) is a way to share Web pages, photos, and videos in a browser-based player that acts like an interactive screencast. The company is headed by [Abhay Parekh](http://www.crunchbase.com/person/abhay-parekh), the co-founder of FastForward Networks (which was sold to Inktomi for $1.3 billion in 2000) and an ex-[Accel](http://www.crunchbase.com/financial-organization/accel-partners) Venture Partner.

Transpera

Series A in 2007
Transpera is a mobile technology company that specializes in monetizing videos for mobile devices. It offers a comprehensive platform that connects online content owners, network operators, and advertisers through its patent-pending advertising technology. This solution facilitates the effective deployment of mobile video services, allowing video publishers to mobilize and distribute their content to mobile users. Additionally, Transpera provides brand owners and advertisers with a direct avenue for reaching their target audiences, enhancing the video offerings available through mobile carriers. The company serves various internet video brands, helping them navigate the complexities of mobile video monetization.

Pikum

Seed Round in 2007
Backed by First Round Capital and Virgin, Pikum is a new kind of betting game created and played between friends online. It can be played for fun, or where possible, money. It's simple, social, fun, and hopes to capitalize on people's love of predicting, debating, and bragging when they're right.
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