Participated · Seed · Oct 2024

Bendi’s flagship platform, Prism, automates supply chain mapping and ESG risk assessments to help businesses gain visibility into deep tiers of complex global supply chains. Using AI, Prism identifies, analyses and classifies over 100 risk indicators in real time across multiple data sources and in more than 35 languages, covering human rights, environmental hazards and governance concerns. The company was founded in 2020 and was co‑founded by CEO Mandeep Soor, Chief Research Officer Benjamin Norsworthy, and CTO Olivier Bacs, each bringing consulting, sustainability and enterprise software experience. Bendi positions its product as a faster, more cost‑effective alternative to manual supplier questionnaires and audits, and cites tightening regulations such as the EU CSDDD and the UFLPA as drivers of demand. The startup recently raised $1.04 million in Pre‑Seed funding. Bendi plans to use the funding to enhance its platform, expand the team, and extend capabilities across more industries and markets.

Participated · Equity · Aug 2024

Hello Wonder builds an AI-powered browser/companion for children that surfaces safe answers, videos and interactive experiences via an iPad app. Parents control what content children see, can instruct the AI in natural language about allowed or disallowed topics, and receive summaries of consumption. The app targets kids roughly ages five to ten and also supports messaging and video calls with trusted family contacts. The product emphasizes discovery and Montessori-inspired, interest-driven learning while using AI to scan content for safety before serving it to kids. Hello Wonder is free today but plans to introduce a subscription layer in the future. The company is testing expansion to Android tablets and Chromebooks.

Participated · Seed · Jun 2024

Polari Group develops medical and consumer solutions to improve anorectal health and pleasure, combining clinical research, education, and product development. The company has created what it calls the world’s first anal sex lab and collaborates with doctors and scientists to study faecal accidents, comfort, and related physiology. Polari aims to build the first anorectal health and pleasure platform that integrates medical innovation, education, and platform-based services alongside a line of proprietary products. The founders plan to expand the team, prepare a manufacturing line, and advance along the regulatory pathway to bring products to market. The company targets a broad, inclusive demographic and seeks to reduce stigma and improve sexual-health conversations and outcomes. Polari cites market estimates for the UK, US, and Europe (167.7 million people engaging in anal sex and roughly 2.8 billion anal sex acts annually) to contextualize demand for its solutions.

Participated · Seed · Apr 2022

TômTex is a New York-based sustainable biomaterial producer that makes biodegradable textiles from chitosan, a biopolymer sourced from seafood shells and mushrooms. Its material has been used by designers and brands including Peter Do, Di Petsa, Dauphinette and Maitrepierre at New York and Paris Fashion Weeks. The textile can be custom-moulded, stamped, 3D-printed or embossed in animal leather-style patterns. The company recently achieved a production milestone of 100 linear feet in its initial run and plans to scale to larger-scale production. Founder Uyen Tran said the $2.25M seed will fund team growth, key hires and expanded manufacturing and help secure new contracts and revenue. With this round TômTex has raised $4.15M to date, including a prior $1.9M round. Investors including Happiness Capital, SOSV, Parley for the Oceans, MIH Capital and Earth Venture Capital have expressed support for the company's technology and environmental potential. TômTex produces a biodegradable leather alternative made from chitosan derived from shell seafood and mushroom waste. The material is designed to mimic leather’s look and feel while avoiding petrochemical "vegan leather" and reducing environmental harm. The company is targeting the $400 billion global leather market and is initially focusing on luxury leather goods, developing partnerships with large brands and designers in New York City. TômTex plans to expand beyond luxury goods into apparel and accessories and later into consumer electronics and automotive interior applications as it advances material properties. The startup will use its $1.7M pre-seed funding to bring the product to market and to grow its team beyond the three founders, hiring business development, technical staff, a senior scientist, and marketing/communications. Headquartered in New York City, TômTex emphasizes circularity by using waste-derived feedstocks and water- or ethanol-based processing to avoid harsh chemistries and improve biodegradability.

Participated · Seed · Mar 2022

SoundMind is a Los Angeles-based mental wellness company offering an audio-visual app that lets users customize music therapy experiences. Founded by USC alumni Brian Femminella and Travis Chen, the app combines music and visuals to support users’ mental health. The company raised $800K in a Pre-Seed round to fund product development and expansion. Concurrent with the funding, round lead Dr. Venus Nicolino joined the company’s board of directors. Planned Version 2 features include an artist platform where prominent musicians share personal stories and soundscapes, and a B2B offering to enable businesses to track employee wellbeing through interactive app data. SoundMind also plans to launch wellness-focused NFTs called "SoundMind Wellness Warriors" and expand its presence in the mental health community in the Metaverse.