Kapor Capital
About Kapor Capital
Kapor Capital is a venture capital firm based in Oakland, California, founded in 1999 by Mitch Kapor and Freada Kapor Klein. The firm focuses on "gap-closing" investing, supporting early-stage technology startups that aim to improve access and opportunities for underserved communities, particularly low-income groups, people of color, and women. Kapor Capital believes that diverse and socially responsible companies can achieve superior financial returns.
The firm invests primarily in the pre-seed, seed, and Series A stages, with typical investments ranging from $100,000 to $500,000. Kapor Capi
Fund III, announced in September 2022 at $126M, was the first fund the firm raised with multiple outside limited partners, among them the Ford Foundation, Bank of America and PayPal. Ulili Onovakpuri and Brian Dixon were named as managing partners for that fund. Caplight and PrivateEquityList list the firm at $224M AUM, which does not reconcile with the $126M announcement, so the current fund size is unconfirmed. The firm's website reports $106M invested across more than 180 portfolio companies.
The firm does not limit itself to AI, but several of its backed companies use machine learning or generative AI. Lumi, founded by Colin Kaepernick, provides generative AI tools for independent story creation, distribution and merchandising. Lirvana Labs uses machine learning to select multimedia content for early childhood social-emotional learning, literacy and math. Caplight lists Woodrow AI among seed deals from March 2026, with Kapor Capital as co-investor. Stated focus areas across the portfolio include education, work, finance, justice, food and health.
Indexfy describes the firm as investing from pre-seed through Series A. A Fund III profile on f4.fund says the firm typically makes 20 to 25 new seed investments a year, with an average check of $100K to $250K and flexibility to invest $1M or more in exceptional founder teams.
- Lumi: generative AI tools for independent story creation, distribution and merchandising (round not stated in sources reviewed)
- Lirvana Labs: machine learning that curates early childhood learning content for social-emotional learning, English literacy and math reasoning (round not stated)
- Woodrow AI: seed round in March 2026 with Kapor Capital as co-investor, per Caplight (product not described in sources reviewed)
- Intake AI: healthcare enterprise systems company with a deal listed by PitchBook in January 2026 (round not stated)
Investing activity
Kapor Capital is listed on Lounge as a venture capital investor based in Oakland, California, United States. The deals desk records Series A and later AI rounds and seeds over $10M, so smaller checks may not show here yet.
Deals
Frequently asked questions about Kapor Capital
Does Kapor Capital invest in AI startups?
Yes. Its website highlights AI companies such as Lumi and Lirvana Labs, and third-party trackers list recent seed deals in AI-named companies such as Woodrow AI. The firm's stated focus is early-stage technology broadly rather than AI alone.
What is the typical check size from Kapor Capital?
An f4.fund profile says the firm's average seed check is about $100K to $250K, with room to invest $1M or more in exceptional founder teams. Figures from third-party profiles may not match the firm's own disclosures.
How many portfolio companies does Kapor Capital have?
The firm's website reports more than 180 portfolio companies and $106M invested. Other trackers report different counts because they track deals differently.
Who are the managing partners of Kapor Capital?
Indexfy names Ulili Onovakpuri and Brian Dixon as the managing partners for Fund III, which it reports at $126M and announced in 2022. Founders Mitch Kapor and Freada Kapor Klein are listed by Crunchbase.
Which stages does Kapor Capital invest in?
Indexfy describes pre-seed, seed and Series A investments. Crunchbase and other trackers mainly show seed-stage activity.
Where is Kapor Capital based?
Kapor Capital is based in Oakland, California, United States.
How can founders reach Kapor Capital?
Founders on Lounge can see Kapor Capital's contact details in AI Investor Contacts (paid plans), check for a warm introduction through members who worked with the firm under Warm Paths, and add Kapor Capital to their Investor Pipeline to track the conversation.