Builders VC

Builders VC is a venture capital firm dedicated to partnering with founders who are modernizing antiquated industries. The firm focuses on identifying and supporting technology-enabled businesses that address complex, mission-critical problems within sectors traditionally underserved by technological innovation. Their investment thesis centers on transforming legacy systems and bringing clarity to chaotic environments, ultimately creating new opportunities within essential industries.

Founded in 2014, Builders VC was established with a vision to revolutionize existing industries rather than solely chasing the next fleeting trend. The firm's leadership team includes experienced operators and investors such as Jim Kim, Alex Kinnier, Jocelyn Doe, and Paul Lee, who bring a deep understanding of the sectors they target. Prior to Builders VC, co-founder Jim Kim was a general partner at Khosla Ventures and a co-founding general partner of Formation 8, while Paul Lee co-founded Roniin, a startup studio that later rebranded to Builders Studios and was subsumed into the broader firm.

Builders VC boasts a diverse portfolio of companies across various stages, from early to growth. Notable investments include Navier, which is electrifying maritime transport with hydrofoiling vessels; Colossal Biosciences, focused on de-extinction and synthetic biology; Fieldwire, a construction management platform acquired by Hilti; and Neuroflow, which addresses behavioral health risks for healthcare organizations. Other key portfolio companies span agriculture (Performance Livestock Analytics, HarvestIQ, Native Microbials), industrials (Timbereye, Gradiant, Breaking), and consumer sectors (Early Upside, PieVAT).

The firm's team comprises core investing partners, portfolio support specialists, operations personnel, and a network of venture partners with expertise in specific industries like agriculture, construction, health, and industrials. This collective experience allows Builders VC to provide hands-on operational support, strategic guidance, and access to internal resources, including engineers and sales personnel, to help founders scale their businesses and tackle real-world challenges.