Pre-seed & seed · Dual-use · United States
A $3M pre-seed and seed fund backing U.S. founders in energy resilience, cybersecurity, sensing, advanced materials and industrial technologies.
$3M
Target fund size
3.25x
Cash returned in prior network transactions
7
Realized exits in the prior network
U.S.
Pre-seed & seed founders
The 7 realized exits and 3.25x cash returned reflect prior transactions in companies sourced through Maven Scouts and MavenWERX, not investments made by Grind Ventures. Past outcomes do not predict future performance for this fund.
The team
Founder & Investment Lead
Grant is a U.S. Army intelligence veteran who has spent his career moving mission-critical technology from the lab to the field. Grant has sourced 300+ startups, advised 30+ companies on defense and commercial transitions, and helped founders secure $45M+ in DoD research contracts from 2018 through 2023 and $30M+ in private investment through MavenWERX. Grant now leads sourcing and investment at Grind Ventures.
Fund Manager
Jacob has spent 13 years helping technology companies move from invention to market, with a focus on operations for products already shipping. Jacob has supported the investment of more than $500M, managed 400+ technology projects and 50 startups across the U.S. and Europe, and founded three medical technology startups as a named inventor on several patents. Jacob runs fund operations and portfolio support at Grind Ventures.
Venture Partner
Jason Emert is an attorney and U.S. Air Force officer who advises companies, investors, and governments on national security, market entry, and cross-border transactions. Having practiced at AmLaw 100 and Global 100 law firms, Jason has counseled clients on defense and dual-use deals, foreign investment review, export controls, and DoD contracting, and has represented companies and sovereigns in multimillion-dollar international arbitrations. Alongside his practice, Jason serves in the Louisiana Air National Guard as State Defense Counsel.
Venture Partner
RJ has spent seven years building a real estate investment networking group that connects investment opportunities with capital, working across commercial lending and business loan brokerage. RJ pairs that financing background with sourcing work alongside venture scouts who identify seed-stage companies entering accelerators. RJ connects Grind Ventures to fund managers and investors during fundraising.
Thesis
Grids, cyber defenses, sensors and domestic supply chains are being rebuilt. Grind Ventures backs U.S. founders solving problems shared by commercial industry and national security customers, with capital informed by procurement, certification and commercialization experience.
Energy resilience, advanced materials and industrial technologies that keep the country running.
Cyber defenses and sensing technologies serving both commercial industry and national security customers.
Applied AI for the industrial base, with a path from a working system to a first paying customer.
Ecosystem
Founders
Pitch us your company
Building dual-use or critical industry tech in the U.S.? Connect with the fund and accelerator network.
StartInvestors
Co-invest or become an LP
VC dealsharing, co-investment opportunities and limited partner inquiries.
StartPartners
Partner with GV
Corporates, universities, government and ecosystem organizations.
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