Mode VC
Utah

Salt VC

Salt VC, based in Utah, backs generalist startups at Pre-Seed and Seed stages, can lead rounds with checks from $250k to $3 million, and has backed Allbirds and Ethos.

WebsitePortfolioPitch pageTeam page
Entry stagePre-seed, Seed
Check size$250K to $3M
Leads roundsYes
FocusGeneralist
Latest fund$115M Fund IV (2022)
Investing team5 peopleNo activity since Sep

Who you would pitch at Salt VC

5 people on the investing team, 3 of them partners who can make the call. Partners are listed first.

Ben Capell
Ben CapellManaging DirectorHe previously worked at an enterprise tech startup and Charles River Associates.
Ilana Stern
Ilana SternPartnerShe also lectures in entrepreneurship at Stanford GSB and previously founded Weddington Way.
Taylor Jones
Taylor JonesPartnerPreviously, they were COO of Blue Matador and held roles at Google and American Express, with an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Blake Barney
Blake BarneyAssociateHe holds a B.S. in Strategic Management from Brigham Young University.
Gabe Morris
Gabe MorrisAssociateHe graduated from Brigham Young University with a B.S. in Marketing.

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

Writes $250K to $3M 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

AllbirdsEthosHireVueWorkstream

In their words

Salt VC — With you from day oneWe back pre-seed and seed rounds for generational founders — often before the round, the deck, or the company exists.salt.vc
Founders and investors at a Mode VC gathering

Send Mode VC your deck

Raising a pre-seed or seed round? We write $1M to $5M first checks and help founders with distribution. A partner reads every deck.

Send your deck

Alert me when Salt VC is active

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

Firms like Salt VC

Frazier VC$250K to $3M
Indie.vc$250K to $3M
Flyover Capital$250K to $3M · active Oct 13
Grix VC$250K to $1M
Magnify Ventures$250K to $3M · active Sep 22
Motivate Venture Capital$250K to $3M · active Sep 23

On these lists

Seed investors in United States2836Pre-seed investors in United States1561Seed investors in Utah22Pre-seed investors in Utah16Seed investors3020Pre-seed investors1696

Questions

What stage does Salt VC invest in?

Salt VC reports entry at pre-seed, seed.

How much does Salt VC invest?

Salt VC reports checks of $250K to $3M.

Does Salt VC lead rounds?

Yes. Salt VC says it can lead.

Who are the partners at Salt VC?

Ben Capell (Managing Director), Ilana Stern (Partner), Taylor Jones (Partner).

Is Salt VC active right now?

No recent activity since September 2026.

Work at Salt VC? Claim or correct this profile.