Root Ventures

Root Ventures is a San Francisco-based deep tech seed venture capital firm, founded in 2015, composed entirely of practicing engineers who underwrite engineering risk. It raised a $190 million fund in 2025 to seed bold engineers at the earliest stages. It leads initial funding for technical founders in robotics, hardware, manufacturing, developer tools, machine learning, semiconductors, and automation, with initial checks of up to $5 million. Portfolio companies include Skydio, Diligent Robotics, Esper, Meroxa, Particle, Daily, Zed, Quilter, and Adept. Root makes a selective few new investments each year and holds two-thirds of each fund in reserve to back companies through multiple rounds. It operates from a lab-like office with machine shops and engineering events, acting as an invisible employee to technical founding teams.