Vermillion Cliffs Ventures

About

The firm specializes in early-stage investments, focusing on technical founders developing technical products, particularly in areas like developer tools, data, infrastructure, and security. Ashley Smith, the founder and General Partner, emphasizes backing unconventional, technical founders who are adept at customer engagement.

Investment Focus

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Fund

Vermilion Cliffs Ventures launched its debut fund with $13 million in February 2025. This fund is backed by notable limited partners (LPs) such as Screendoor and Sapphire Ventures.

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Other Information

Leadership

Ashley Smith, Founder and General Partner:

Ashley brings over a decade of experience working with tech companies like Twilio, GitLab, GitHub, and Parse (which was acquired by Facebook in 2013).
Known for her Southern Gothic influences and a keen interest in unconventional personalities, Ashley looks for quirky and brilliant founders.

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Investment Strategy

Vermilion Cliffs Ventures is known for its hands-on approach, assisting portfolio companies with go-to-market strategies, fundraising, hiring, and scaling. The firm looks for unique founders who can bring a distinct perspective to the table.

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Notable Investments

Vermilion Cliffs Ventures’ portfolio includes early-stage companies such as: