Standard Capital is an AI-native venture capital firm built to reinvent the Series A process for the world’s best founders. Launched in 2025, the firm’s mission is to eliminate inefficiencies and misaligned incentives from traditional Series A fundraising by offering fast decisions, standardized terms, and founder-first structures.
The firm exclusively leads Series A rounds in post-product-market-fit companies, regardless of sector, with a strong emphasis on technology-driven startups. Its mandate is to back founders who have already validated demand, demonstrated traction, and are ready to scale.
In September 2025, Standard Capital closed its inaugural Fund I at 425 million dollars. With this fund, the firm has the capacity to lead multiple Series A investments each quarter, operating with a high-conviction strategy that targets around five companies per cycle, four times a year.
Leadership
Standard Capital was founded by Paul Buchheit, creator of Gmail, early OpenAI investor and long-time Y Combinator partner; Dalton Caldwell, veteran Y Combinator managing partner known for shaping YC’s selection and support process; and Bryan Berg, an early Stripe engineer specializing in infrastructure and security. Together they bring decades of experience as builders, operators, and investors.
Investment Strategy
Standard Capital’s model is designed to give founders speed, clarity, and control. The firm runs an open application and interview process where any startup can apply without a warm introduction. Founders propose their own valuation and round size, while Standard Capital invests with a minimum of ten percent ownership and up to twenty percent if founders prefer.
The firm does not take board seats, instead inviting portfolio companies to quarterly in-person group sessions in San Francisco where founders learn and exchange insights with peers. All investments are governed by published, standardized documents, and Standard Capital does not charge companies for legal fees.
Portfolio founders continue to receive support through office hours and group sessions for the life of their companies. Internally, Standard integrates AI into core tasks such as research, diligence, and memo writing, making the investment process faster and more efficient.
Notable Investments
As Fund I has just launched, Standard Capital has not yet disclosed any portfolio companies.
Notable Exits
None reported.
Other
The firm operates on quarterly funding cycles. The Fall 2025 cycle closed on September 17, 2025, with feedback promised to on-time applicants by September 26. Late applications are still considered on a rolling basis. Standard Capital emphasizes that applying, even if a company is not yet fully ready, can help founders clarify their thinking and improve the chances of funding in later cycles. The model has already attracted endorsements from leading figures in the startup ecosystem such as Paul Graham, Jessica Livingston, Garry Tan, and Michael Seibel, who see it as a transformative approach to Series A funding.
