Chapter One

Chapter One was founded with the belief that the best venture partners are those who have built and shipped great products themselves. The team is composed of former leaders from industry giants like Tinder, Twitter, and IBM, each of whom has contributed to products used by billions. This deep operator background gives Chapter One a unique advantage: the ability to support founders with practical insight, grounded strategies, and meaningful connections.

What sets Chapter One apart is its curated, product-first investment thesis. The firm actively partners with early-stage companies solving real-world problems in emerging tech. Its portfolio reflects this philosophy, showcasing high-growth names like Supabase (open-source developer tools), Ondo Finance (tokenized finance infrastructure), Farcaster (decentralized social), Ether.fi (Ethereum staking), and Together.ai (AI tooling infrastructure). These projects span multiple categories including AI/ML, blockchain, developer tools, and fintech.

Chapter One's principles reflect their operator mindset: “fight like an underdog,” “think like an operator,” “walk the walk,” and “refuse to settle.” These aren't just values—they're embedded into how the firm engages with founders. Through monthly update reports and deeply personalized involvement, Chapter One provides accountability and transparent value-add.

Unlike traditional VCs, Chapter One operates with the mindset that venture capital is a product that must be iterated, improved, and tailored to each founder's journey. This has earned them high praise from companies like Captions, Glue AI, Hyperbolic, and Antimetal, many of whom credit Chapter One with helping secure key hires and launch mission-critical operations. The firm's dedication to impact has resulted in eleven portfolio companies crossing the billion-dollar mark.

In terms of competition, Chapter One’s hybrid model places it among boutique, product-centric firms like Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), Sequoia Capital, and Paradigm. But its founder-forward, low-ego culture and operational edge enable it to compete meaningfully despite being leaner in size. This tailored support model positions Chapter One as an ideal early-stage partner for the boldest tech builders.

Chapter One provides numerous benefits and features that make it a standout partner in the early-stage venture capital ecosystem:

• Operator-Led Expertise: Every member of the Chapter One team brings real-world experience from leading companies like Tinder, Twitter, and IBM, offering founders highly practical advice grounded in execution.
• Product-First Approach: Rather than focusing on trends or hype, Chapter One backs founders building product-centric companies with the potential to reshape industries.
• High-Impact Portfolio Support: Startups receive more than funding—they get help with hiring, strategy, product development, and partnerships, including access to top talent and relevant networks.
• Transparent Engagement: Founders benefit from monthly updates from the firm outlining contributions and feedback, creating a culture of trust and shared accountability.
• Cross-Sector Reach: With investments across AI/ML, blockchain, developer tools, and fintech, Chapter One offers unique insights into emerging technologies and interdisciplinary trends.

Chapter One offers a clear and direct path for ambitious founders looking to build with a product-first partner:

• Explore the Platform: Visit chapterone.com to learn more about their principles, writing, and track record.
• Review the Portfolio: Browse their portfolio companies to understand the types of teams and products they back—from Supabase to Ether.fi and Glue AI.
• Understand Their Philosophy: Read their essays and perspectives under the Writing section to align with their founder-first culture.
• Reach Out Directly: If you’re building something aligned with their thesis, get in touch at [email protected] to introduce your project or request a warm intro from mutual connections.
• Be Yourself: Chapter One is looking for protagonists—people with bold ideas and the grit to see them through. Be authentic, be early, and be ready to build.