A* has announced the launch of A* III, a new $450 million early‑stage fund built around the firm’s founding philosophy: to be a founder’s first believer.
The firm said it remains sector‑agnostic but deeply specialized in the craft and discipline of seed investing, partnering with founders before there is traction, external validation, or even a product. Rather than organizing around market theses, A* backs exceptional builders and follows them into the categories they create.
The firm noted that seed investing has changed dramatically in recent years, becoming more crowded, more visible, and increasingly transactional. Many firms now treat seed as an option, waiting for proof before committing meaningful time or capital. A* said its model is intentionally different: it commits early, shows up before consensus forms, and deploys both capital and hands‑on support from day zero to help founders find their first customers, make early hires, and navigate foundational decisions that shape the trajectory of their companies.
A* emphasized that it is selective at the start and concentrated over time, partnering with a small number of founders and deepening its involvement as companies grow. This approach has led the firm to back companies including Ramp, Decagon, Whop, Cape, Simile, Paraform, Watney Robotics, and Mercor. With the new fund, A* now manages more than $1 billion in assets less than five years after launch.
KEY QUOTES:
“We started A* with the simple idea to be a founder’s first believer.”
“We are generalists by sector, but specialists in the stage and craft of seed investing. We partner with founders before there is consensus, before there is traction, and often before there is even a product. We are not organized around a market thesis. We back exceptional builders and follow them into the most important categories.”
Kevin Hartz, Co‑Founder & General Partner, A*
