by Dr. Gopi Sundaramurthy
Instead of endless ‘coffee chats’ wasting founder time, we have a lot more time to spend with the teams we back
Our approach doesn’t stop at discovery. We are builders ourselves, which means we understand the challenges founders face and the tools they need to succeed. That’s why we’ve developed proprietary products designed to support our founders in real, tangible ways. These tools aren’t abstract concepts—they’re built to be touched, felt, and integrated into day-to-day operations, providing founders with the resources they need to do what they do best: build great companies.
When founders work with us, they’re not just getting funding; they’re gaining access to a partner who invests in success to the very core of an early-stage startup. We challenge assumptions, share insights, and actively contribute to solving the problems that matter most. Our job is to be an extension of their team—a true ally in their journey.
Building something extraordinary is hard work, and founders should feel their investors know what it’s like to bring products to life. Every meeting should bring value, whether it’s actionable feedback, strategic insights, or simply a new perspective. If we’re not moving at the speed our founders need, that’s on us. Founders should demand accountability from their investors, and we welcome it—it’s how we all get better.
In the end, our success is measured by our founders’ success. That’s why we constantly iterate, innovate, and refine our approach—not just to find great teams, but to support them in building the future.
Rare Earth Elements: The Next Big Thing Is Buried
In a world obsessed with software, the next decacorn might come from a mine. With China controlling 90% of rare earth processing, a new industrial frontier is opening for founders to rebuild the backbone of modern technology—starting with the ground beneath our feet.
Welcome to the team, Aidan Gold!
Ensemble is thrilled to add Aidan Gold to the team. Aidan leads the investment pipeline at the earliest stages of company development.
CHAOS Industries reaches $2B valuation in Series C led by Accel, NEA
CHAOS Industries, a next-generation DefenseTech startup backed by Ensemble at Series B, has raised $275M in a Series C led by Accel and NEA at a $2B valuation, cementing its status as one of Fund II’s breakout successes and validating Ensemble’s data-driven approach to early access in frontier sectors.
Khosla Ventures doubles down on Loti AI, leads $16.2M Series A round
We’re thrilled to share that Loti has announced its $16.2M Series A, led by Khosla Ventures with participation from Ensemble VC, Bling Capital, and FUSE.
Why Ensemble is backing Manifest on its mission to bring transparency to software supply chains in the AI era
Ensemble VC leads the Series A for Manifest, a cybersecurity startup founded by Palantir veterans to build the leading software transparency platform. Manifest creates SBOMs to expose hidden vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure, helping major organizations like the U.S. Air Force and Fortune 500 companies secure their software supply chains. Learn how Manifest is shaping the future of AI-driven software security.
All AI infrastructure market maps are wrong. But some are better than others.
This is the first installment in "Pandora's Black Box," a series by Data Scientist Lilly Vernor dedicated to unpacking the complexities of AI infrastructure. Lilly leads the creation and refinement of Ensemble VC’s internal products, including Unity, our proprietary platform designed to provide holistic company profiles through growth signals, network analysis, and visualized insights. She collaborates with both existing and prospective portfolio companies to develop value-add products, leveraging data to optimize their operations and decision-making processes.
