Freestyle Capital

Freestyle Capital is an early-stage venture capital firm based in San Francisco, California, that primarily invests in seed and pre-seed technology startups. The firm focuses on identifying and partnering with exceptional entrepreneurs and innovative companies, with a typical investment range of $1.5 million to $4 million, often leading seed rounds. Their investment strategy emphasizes long-term value creation and strategic support for their portfolio companies, aiming to guide them from the seed stage through Series A and beyond.

The firm was founded in 2009 by serial entrepreneurs Dave Samuel and Josh Felser. Prior to establishing Freestyle Capital, Samuel and Felser successfully founded and exited two companies: Spinner, which was acquired by AOL, and Grouper (later renamed Crackle), acquired by Sony Corp. Jenny Lefcourt, also a serial entrepreneur with successful exits from WeddingChannel.com and Bella Pictures, joined Freestyle Capital in 2014 and became an equal partner. In 2020, Josh Felser transitioned from a full-time General Partner role to focus on Climactic VC, a firm dedicated to climate-focused investments. Maria Palma joined the team in 2024, bringing a specific focus on early-stage AI investments.

Freestyle Capital boasts a robust portfolio of over 130 technology companies, with notable investments in industry leaders such as Airtable, Patreon, BetterUp, Snapdocs, and Intercom. The firm's investment interests span various sectors, including information technology, enterprise software, artificial intelligence, consumer applications, healthcare, and financial technology. They actively seek to partner with founders who demonstrate strong potential and innovative ideas, with a commitment to fostering diversity within the venture capital industry.

The Freestyle Capital team is characterized by its small and nimble structure, comprising serial founders turned venture capitalists. General Partners Dave Samuel and Jenny Lefcourt each bring over 25 years of experience in the tech industry, having successfully exited multiple ventures. Maria Palma contributes her expertise in early-stage AI investing, while David Bill serves as CTO and Founding Advisor, and Maria Hannigan manages operations as Executive Assistant to the General Partners. This collective experience allows the firm to provide real-world, real-time operational advice and mentorship to its portfolio companies.