MFV Partners

MFV Partners Research Investment Thesis MFV Partners is an early-stage deep tech venture capital firm exclusively focused on investing in deep technology that transforms industries and solves the world's biggest challenges. Founded in 2018 and based in Silicon Valley, the firm believes that breakthrough innovations in robotics, quantum computing, AI, semiconductors, and other deep tech areas have the potential to disrupt traditional ecosystems and create enormous value over decades. The firm backs visionary entrepreneurs tackling critical challenges across industries including transportation, manufacturing, healthcare, energy, agriculture, and climate. They focus on engineering-led innovations in sensors, AI, robotics, quantum computing, IoT, and deep tech areas that commercialize cutting-edge research. Stage Focus MFV Partners specializes in pre-seed and seed-stage investments, targeting companies with: Early-stage visionary deep tech entrepreneurs Novel, often patented technologies Potential to create or lead new categories in large markets Strong academic or research foundations They typically focus on funding rounds of $1M-$5M for seed investments, though their Harper Court Ventures fund specifically targets pre-seed rounds of similar size. Check Size Typical investment range: $1M - $5M Pre-seed: $1M-$2.5M Seed: $2.5M-$5M The firm maintains flexibility for follow-on investments in strong portfolio companies Investment Areas & Sectors MFV Partners focuses on three primary deep tech pillars: Robotics & Physical AI: Industrial robotics and automation Humanoid robotics systems AI-driven robotic solutions Food assembly and manufacturing automation Quantum & Next Generation Compute: Utility-scale quantum computing Optical quantum computers AI compute for edge devices High-performance computing infrastructure Energy Transition & Sustainability: Battery swapping infrastructure Smart agricultural technology Climate and clean energy solutions Energy optimization platforms Recent Activity & Fund Status MFV Partners operates multiple funds: Fund II: Actively deploying with significant recent activity Made six new investments during summer 2025 across Fund II and Harper Court Ventures Recent notable investments include OpenInfer (AI Systems), Chef Robotics, Irrigreen (Smart Agriculture) Portfolio company PsiQuantum raised $1B Series E at $7B valuation (September 2025) with NVIDIA, Macquarie Capital, Ribbit Capital participation Portfolio company Agility Robotics secured Series C funding from NVIDIA's venture arm (September 2025) Portfolio company SUN Mobility completed Series D2 with Helios Climate funding (September 2025) and has enabled 20M+ battery swaps globally Harper Court Ventures Fund I: $25M fund launched May 2025 Independently managed by MFV Partners through exclusive cooperation agreement with University of Chicago Focuses on pre-seed and seed stage companies from UChicago ecosystem Targets quantum computing, life sciences, energy, and AI companies Plans to back approximately 40 startups over three years Initial investments: Flow Medical (catheter therapy), SimCare AI (clinical training), Beacon (air/surface purification), OrisDX (cancer detection) Most recent investment: OrisDX ($4M seed, June 2025) Lead Tendency MFV Partners typically leads or co-leads seed rounds, demonstrating strong lead tendency. They actively orchestrate their investments and maintain significant board/advisor positions in portfolio companies. Portfolio Highlights Notable Current Holdings: PsiQuantum (Quantum Computing, 2019) - $1B Series E at $7B valuation (Sept 2025) Agility Robotics (AI Robotics/Humanoids, 2020) - CEP Peggy Johnson named one of TIME's 100 Most Influential Voices in AI (2025) SUN Mobility (Battery Swap Infrastructure, 2018) - 1,000+ swapping stations, 50,000+ EV fleet MP Space (Computing/Energy/Space, 2025) OpenInfer (AI Systems/Computing, 2024) PhenoTA (AI/Healthcare, 2024) Chef Robotics (Food Assembly Robots, 2023) Conifer (Energy/Wind Power, 2023) Irrigreen (Smart Agriculture/IoT, 2022) Past Exits: Waze (Acquired) MapmyIndia (IPO) Rescale (High Performance Computing) Team The investment team includes: Karthee Madasamy - Managing Partner, University of Chicago Booth alum with decades of technology leadership and deep tech investing experience Ashish Gupta - Chairman and Partner Dr Ruchi Dana - Partner, spoke at MedTech World Bay Area 2025 on robotics and healthcare trends Aaron Pickard - Investor Pavan Ongole - Advisor The team demonstrates strong thought leadership in deep tech, actively publishing insights and speaking at major conferences (SF Deep Tech Week, DeepTech Chicago Week, SuperReturn Asia, etc.). Geographic Focus Primary focus: United States (Silicon Valley-based) Strong presence in California (San Francisco Bay Area) Expanding Midwest presence through Harper Court Ventures partnership with University of Chicago International portfolio exposure (Australia, India for past investments) Selective global investments in deep tech hubs Decision Process & Timeline MFV Partners follows a partnership-style decision process with active engagement: Act as thought partners for deep tech founders, especially those from scientific/academic backgrounds Engage early in problem framing and technology validation Typical decision timeline: 2-8 weeks for seed stage Board participation and active portfolio support Founder Preferences The firm backs: Visionary entrepreneurs with deep domain expertise Technical founders from academic or research backgrounds Teams addressing massive market problems with novel approaches Founders with prior scale experience or scientific credentials Individuals capable of paradigm shifts in business model and market definition Key Investment Principles Deep Tech Focus: Only invests in companies with genuine technological breakthroughs, not incremental improvements Mission-Driven: Prioritizes investments that solve world's biggest problems (climate, healthcare, energy, sustainability) Thoughtful Partnership: Engages early with founders to de-risk technology validation and commercialization paths Long-term Vision: Maintains patient capital for companies that require 5-10+ years to reach full potential University Partnerships: Leverages academic research and networks through Harper Court Ventures Fund Characteristics Founded: 2018 Location: Palo Alto, California Investment Strategy: Early-stage deep tech specialist Fund Size: Main fund (undisclosed), Harper Court Ventures Fund I ($25M) Portfolio Size: 25+ investments across funds, with active follow-on strategy Industry Expertise: Deep experience in robotics, quantum, semiconductors, AI, energy, and climate tech Added Value: Technical due diligence, market validation support, board participation, access to scientific advisors and industry partners Exit Strategy & Returns MFV Partners has demonstrated ability to generate category-defining exits and significant returns: Portfolio company valuations reaching $1B+ (PsiQuantum) Strong evidence of IPO and acquisition exits Long hold periods (5-10+ years) reflecting deep tech timelines Focus on building enduring companies rather than quick exits