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California

California Innovation Fund

California Innovation Fund, based in California, backs Seed and Series A startups with $250k to $1m checks, generally following other investors, and has backed Mammoth Biosciences and FreeWire Technologies.

Website LinkedInPortfolioTeam page
Entry stageSeed, Series A
Check size$250K to $1M
Leads roundsMostly follows
FocusGeneralist
Latest fundn/a
Investing team11 peopleNo activity since Sep

Who you would pitch at California Innovation Fund

11 people on the investing team, 7 of them partners who can make the call. Partners are listed first.

Anne Greul
Anne GreulManaging PartnerShe previously worked as a strategy consultant and co-founded a tech program for Audi.
Bryce Gilleland
Bryce GillelandGeneral PartnerHe has two decades of energy industry experience and is a certified Integral Coach.
Caspar Schauseil
Caspar SchauseilManaging PartnerHe previously led Knauf Group's Digital Office and worked at Amazon and Altman Solon.
Jerry Bellman
Jerry BellmanManaging PartnerHe has advised on over $10 billion in M&A and mentored in the Haas Entrepreneurship program.
Kurt Beyer
Kurt BeyerFounder & General PartnerHe was a Principal at Parallel advisors and authored a book on Grace Hopper.
Mark Jones
Mark JonesManaging PartnerHe is also an experienced founder, advisor, and mentor for early-stage companies and the Haas Entrepreneurship program.
Shiva Somasundaram
Shiva SomasundaramManaging PartnerHe has over ten years of experience in engineering and product management within the AI and machine learning sectors.
Emily Lammers
Emily LammersSenior Investment AssociateShe is also an MBA admissions coach, author, and Montana native residing in Utah.
Miranda Ferguson
Miranda FergusonSenior Investment AssociateShe previously worked as a product manager in the pharmaceutical industry and holds a Bachelor's in Software Engineering from Miami University.
Mohammad Naqvi
Mohammad NaqviSenior Investment AssociateHe has a background in engineering and product management in AI/ML, with degrees from Georgia Tech and UC Berkeley.
Stacey King
Stacey KingSenior Investment AssociateShe is learning investment fund fundamentals and advising founders, focusing on equity, climate tech, and entrepreneurship.

Work here and something is wrong? Ask for a correction.

Writes $250K to $1M checks. Its smallest check is larger than 33% of firms in the atlas.

Bars: how many firms in the atlas report each band. Highlighted: this firm.

No recent activity since September 2026. Quiet does not mean closed.

Weekly count of activity updates. Activity is not a confirmed deal.

Before you pitch

How to reach them[email protected]

Notable investments

Mammoth BiosciencesFreeWire TechnologiesEko HealthLILTResemble AIKyte

In their words

California Innovation Fundwww.californiainnovationfund.com
Founders and investors at a Mode VC gathering

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One email when this firm shows new activity. Nothing else.

Firms like California Innovation Fund

Anorak Ventures$250K to $1M
Chaac Ventures$250K to $1M
Coelius Capital$100K to $1M · active Oct 6
Elementum VC$250K to $1M
Liquid 2 Ventures$250K to $10M · active Oct 7
Magnify Ventures$250K to $3M · active Sep 22

On these lists

Seed investors in United States2836Series A investors in United States1790Seed investors in California699Series A investors in California480Seed investors3020Series A investors1867

Questions

What stage does California Innovation Fund invest in?

California Innovation Fund reports entry at seed, series a.

How much does California Innovation Fund invest?

California Innovation Fund reports checks of $250K to $1M.

Does California Innovation Fund lead rounds?

California Innovation Fund mostly follows other investors.

Who are the partners at California Innovation Fund?

Anne Greul (Managing Partner), Bryce Gilleland (General Partner), Caspar Schauseil (Managing Partner), Jerry Bellman (Managing Partner), Kurt Beyer (Founder & General Partner), Mark Jones (Managing Partner).

Is California Innovation Fund active right now?

No recent activity since September 2026.

Work at California Innovation Fund? Claim or correct this profile.