Character is a venture capital firm founded by John Zeratsky, Jake Knapp, and Eli Blee-Goldman, focusing on early-stage investments in U.S. startups. The firm typically invests up to $1 million in pre-seed, seed, and Series A rounds. Character leverages the founders' extensive experience at Google Ventures (GV) and their expertise in the Design Sprint methodology to help startups achieve product-market fit.
Notable portfolio companies include 1Fort, Fathom, House Rx, Inductive Bio, Phaidra, Reclaim.ai, Waitroom, and Zest. Key partners John Zeratsky and Jake Knapp are renowned for their work at GV and their bestselling book "Sprint," while Eli Blee-Goldman brings a decade of VC experience from Capital Midwest. Character offers unique value-add services, particularly through their sprint method, which has been instrumental in the success of numerous startups.
Portfolio Snapshot
Recorded participation and recipient operating status, not current holdings or realized exits
Top Investment Stages
Stage Mix
Concentration shown as share of disclosed investments by stage.
Classification
- Also Known As
- Character Capital LLC
- NAICS
- 520000Finance and Insurance
- 523000Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments and Related Activities
- 523900Other Financial Investment Activities
- 523990All Other Financial Investment Activities
- 523999Miscellaneous Financial Investment Activities
- SIC
- 6700Holding And Other Investment Offices
- 6720Investment Offices
- 6722Management Investment Offices, Open-end
- Industry
- —Business Incubators
- —Financial Services Companies
- —Investment Companies
- —Investment Management Companies
- —Private Equity Firms
- —Professional Service Companies
- —Venture Capital Firms
Show 9 more industry codes
- NAICS
- 540000Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- 525000Funds, Trusts, and Other Financial Vehicles
- 541000Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- 523910Miscellaneous Intermediation
- 523940Portfolio Management and Investment Advice
- SIC
- 6000Depository Institutions
- 7300Business Services
- 6790Miscellaneous Investing
- 6799Investors, Not Elsewhere Classified




























