Euclid Ventures

Euclid Ventures is a San Francisco-based seed-stage venture capital firm that provides pre-seed and seed funding to domain-expert founders building vertical artificial intelligence businesses. The firm operates with a two-person investment team and typically writes initial checks ranging from $500,000 to $2 million, targeting an average equity ownership of ten percent per investment. Maintaining a highly concentrated portfolio, the fund focuses on B2B marketplaces and vertical software across sectors such as financial technology, property technology, and healthcare, supported by an advisory network of over 200 industry operators. In recent market research, the firm analyzed 673 vertical startups raising over $15 million to identify emerging funding trends. The firm leverages the prior institutional experience of its leadership at recognizable venture platforms including Fifth Wall and Bowery Capital. Euclid Ventures was founded by Omar El-Ayat and Nic.

Euclid Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm focused on backing exceptional founders building category-defining companies in Vertical AI and vertical software markets. Their mission is to partner with domain-expert entrepreneurs from day zero, helping them build industry-dominant platforms by leveraging deep expertise, capital, and a network of leading vertical CEOs. They invest primarily in the US and Canada, concentrating on inception-stage and pre-seed rounds with check sizes typically between $500K and $1M. Euclid’s investment philosophy centers on first-principles thinking and continuous improvement, with a conviction that Vertical AI will generate hundreds of billions in enterprise value over the next decade. They dedicate significant time to a highly concentrated portfolio, emphasizing founder-market fit and long-term partnerships[1][2][3][6].

Founded with a research-driven approach, Euclid Ventures emerged from over 15 years of collective experience investing in vertical markets. The firm was created to support vertical operators in launching and scaling next-generation AI businesses, focusing on the intersection of emerging technology and specific industry verticals. Key partners include Omar Elayat and Nic Poulos, who bring expertise in Vertical SaaS, Marketplaces, and Vertical AI. Euclid’s evolution reflects a shift toward Vertical AI as a transformative force in enterprise software, with a unique model that integrates operational support from experienced vertical CEOs alongside capital investment[1][3][6].

Core Differentiators

• Unique Investment Model: Focus on inception-stage, pre-product founders with a highly concentrated portfolio to maximize support and impact.
• Network Strength: Access to a collective of leading vertical CEOs who provide operational guidance and domain expertise.
• Track Record: Over 15 years of collective investing experience in vertical markets, with a portfolio emphasizing Vertical AI and marketplaces.
• Operating Support: Active partnership from day zero, including research-driven insights and continuous founder collaboration.

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

Euclid Ventures rides the wave of Vertical AI, a trend where artificial intelligence is specialized and embedded within industry-specific software platforms. This focus aligns with market forces such as increasing demand for tailored enterprise solutions and AI-driven automation. The timing is critical as over half of B2B software exits are already vertical, and AI is accelerating this shift. By concentrating on vertical markets, Euclid influences the broader ecosystem by enabling domain experts to build platforms that redefine traditional software categories, driving innovation and value creation in enterprise technology[1][3][6].

Quick Take & Future Outlook

Looking ahead, Euclid Ventures is poised to deepen its influence in Vertical AI, supporting founders who can harness AI to transform industry-specific workflows and marketplaces. Trends such as AI adoption in regulated industries, data-driven vertical platforms, and the rise of specialized marketplaces will shape their journey. Euclid’s model of intensive founder partnership and vertical CEO network positions it to remain a key player in early-stage Vertical AI investing, potentially expanding its portfolio and impact as the category matures and scales.

In summary, Euclid Ventures is a specialized early-stage VC dedicated to Vertical AI, combining deep domain expertise, a focused investment approach, and operational support to help founders build the next generation of industry platforms[1][3][6].