Key Takeaways
- Ashley Smith’s Vermilion Cliffs Ventures has launched a $25 million Fund II.
- The fund focuses on startups in AI infrastructure, security, and developer tools.
- Smith aims to invest in at least 25 companies over the next two and a half years.
- The average investment will range from $500,000 to $1 million.
New Fund Announcement
Ashley Smith, a solo general partner in venture capital, has announced the closing of a new $25 million fund under her firm, Vermilion Cliffs Ventures. This marks the second fund for Smith, who established the firm in 2023 and is noted for being one of the few women in her position within the industry.
Investment Focus
Fund II will continue to support technical founders, specifically those developing solutions in AI infrastructure, security, and developer tools. Smith shared that raising the fund took approximately four months, primarily relying on contributions from existing investors.
Investment Strategy
The average check size for investments from Fund II will be between $500,000 and $1 million, with plans to back at least 25 companies over the next two and a half years. So far, the firm has already invested in six startups. Smith’s previous fund, which raised $13 million, successfully supported 35 companies, including notable names like Keycard and CopilotKit.
Supporting Founders
Smith emphasized the importance of helping early-stage companies navigate the complexities of raising subsequent funding rounds. Drawing from her extensive marketing experience at companies like Twilio, Facebook, GitHub, and GitLab, she aims to assist founders in developing effective go-to-market strategies. She noted that selling to developers and security teams requires a unique approach, and she hopes to help founders avoid common pitfalls she has encountered in her career.