Gen 1 Capital
Gen 1 Capital is a US Midwest-based venture capital firm that invests in early-stage deep tech startups, focusing on transformative technologies and industries like AI, robotics, and digital health.
Services
Gen 1 Capital focuses on early-stage deep tech venture capital, investing in technology founders who aim to transform the world and impact future generations. The firm supports the creation, innovation, and iterative process involved in building transformational companies. It helps founders by leveraging strong ties with local technology ecosystems, corporate partners, and universities. Gen 1 Capital's programs include Next Gen Coders, Next Gen Investors, and Next Gen Founders, designed to train the next generation in coding, investing, and entrepreneurship.
Investment Focus
Gen 1 Capital invests in early-stage, deep tech startups that solve complex problems across diverse industries and large markets. Key technologies include digital automation, geospatial, industrial automation, manufacturing, autonomous transportation, digital health, distributed ledgers, and educational technologies. The company takes meaningful ownership stakes to help influence outcomes and supplements entrepreneurs' shortcomings by adding value.
Industry Sectors
Gen 1 Capital's investment portfolio spans a wide range of industries, including Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Robotics and Robotics As A Service, Quantum Computing, Edge Computing, Human-Computer Interaction, Sensor Fusion and Internet of Things, Autonomous Vehicles and Mobility, Infrastructure and Cybersecurity, Data Science and Analytics, Health and Synthetic/Computational Biology, Software, Hardware, and Digital Transformation. The firm is based in the US Midwest and focuses on sectors like digital manufacturing, autonomous vehicles, smart cities, and Industry 4.0.
Notable Investments and Exits
Highlighted investments by Gen 1 Capital include Nervana Systems, Cobalt Robotics, and Skyryse. The firm has seen significant exits, such as the $400 million acquisition of Nervana Systems by Intel and a $35 million Series B funding round for Cobalt Robotics. These investments underscore the firm's commitment to supporting transformative and disruptive products in the technology landscape.
Collaborations and Partnerships
Gen 1 Capital collaborates with notable institutions like Northwestern University’s McCormick School of Engineering and the Farley Center for Entrepreneurship for the Origin Stories program. The firm partners with national investors to invest locally, utilizing deep relationships within technology, university, industry, and civic ecosystems. These collaborations enhance its ability to support early-stage founders and startups effectively.