Underscore VC

Investment thesis

Bold early-stage B2B software entrepreneurs solving impactful problems. Community-driven "open-source" investing model with profit-sharing and 1,800+ Core Partners.

Focus narrative

Pre-seed ($500K-$1M) and seed ($1M-$3M). Sweet spot $1M. Leads or co-leads. 2-3 week diligence. 50% vertical SaaS, 50% fintech/emerging tech. Boston-rooted but geography-agnostic (50% Boston, 50% rest of US). No biotech, medtech (FDA), or pure hardware.

Value beyond capital

1,800+ Core Partners (seasoned operators/experts) providing hands-on portfolio support. 10% GP profit sharing with Core Partners (non-dilutive to founders). Hiring support. Customer validation. Strategic guidance. Community events. Pearce Summer Fellows program. Academic partnerships (Harvard, MIT).

Community overview

Underscore VC is a Boston-based venture capital firm founded to support B2B software entrepreneurs at the Pre-Seed and Seed stages. The firm emphasizes a hands-on approach to business building and community cultivation.

Community focus

Underscore VC invests in B2B software startups globally, focusing on early-stage companies. Their investment strategy includes an 'open-source' model that involves profit-sharing with experts from their Core Community, which supports the startups they back.

Event focus

Underscore VC primarily invests in B2B software companies, with a portfolio that includes approximately 50% in B2B vertical SaaS and 50% in Fintech and Emerging Technology. The firm is geography-agnostic, with investments originating from the Boston ecosystem as well as other locations in the U.S. and globally. They avoid biotech and FDA-regulated sectors but are open to healthcare and life sciences at the intersection of SaaS.

Format narrative

Underscore VC hosts various events, including community gatherings and educational sessions aimed at supporting founders and fostering connections within the startup ecosystem.

Participant value

The Core Community connects portfolio companies with a network of experts and advisors who are financially incentivized to support their success, providing founders with the right expertise at the right time.

Editorial focus

Underscore VC is a Boston-based venture capital firm dedicated to investing in B2B software startups globally. The firm focuses on early-stage companies and employs a hands-on approach to business building and community cultivation. Their investment strategy features an 'open-source' model that includes profit-sharing with experts from their Core Community, which actively supports the startups they back.

Audience value

Underscore VC offers a unique investment approach that combines financial backing with community support, leveraging their Core Community to enhance the growth and success of the startups they invest in.