C3 Ventures
C3 Ventures is a small US-based angel investment firm (founded 2017, Flint) that deploys seed and early-stage capital into category-defining startups across fintech, biotech, climate, healthcare, robotics, and space, generating returns through equity exits.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2019
- HeadquartersFlint, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What C3 Ventures does
C3 Ventures is a privately held angel investment firm founded in 2017 and headquartered in Flint, United States, focused on seed and early-stage funding for startups it characterizes as "category defining." The firm operates with a lean team of 1-10 employees and does not develop proprietary technology products; instead, it deploys capital across a sector-diversified portfolio spanning more than 20 companies in fintech (Givefront, Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company), biotech and climate (Living Carbon, Orbillion Bio, Trestle Biotherapeutics, Carbon Chain), healthcare and medical devices (Curebase, Memora Health, FemtoVox, Perceptive Technologies, VenoStent, Vivifi Medical), space (Momentus Space), robotics (Polymath Robotics, Shone), sales/enterprise software (CloseFactor, Varos, Sphere), and consumer/proptech (Flat.mx, Zingbus, Sequence Bio, CB Therapeutics, Pegasus Solar, UBITS, Frey, Cursor, Qulture.Rocks, Liftoff).
The firm generates returns through equity investments in early-stage startups, realizing gains via exits such as acquisitions (Cursor acquired by DataRobot; Qulture.Rocks acquired by Grupo UOL's edtech arm) and special-purpose transactions (Momentus Space SPAC at a $1.2 billion valuation). It does not charge disclosed management fees and does not operate a product- or service-based revenue model. Its go-to-market motion is relationship-driven: portfolio companies are showcased through earned media (TechCrunch, Reuters, Newsweek, CNBC), accelerator platforms (Y Combinator Demo Day), and competitive awards (TiE50, KidneyX Prize), which the firm curates for visibility.
C3 Ventures' customers are effectively its portfolio founders and co-investors; its sole explicitly documented investment activity is a participation in Givefront's $2 million seed round (April 2024) alongside Script Capital, Y Combinator, and Phoenix Fund. The firm's source material shows no disclosed fund size, limited-partner composition, or recurring revenue streams, positioning it as a small-scale angel vehicle rather than an institutional venture platform.
C3 Ventures firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- C3 Ventures
- Legal name
- C3 Ventures
- Website
- https://c3.ventures
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2019
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- C3 Ventures is a small US-based angel investment firm (founded 2017, Flint) that deploys seed and early-stage capital into category-defining startups across fintech, biotech, climate, healthcare, robotics, and space, generating returns through equity exits.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
C3 Ventures industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Venture Capital
- NAICS
- Other Investment Pools and Funds (5259), Miscellaneous Financial Investment Activities (523999)
- SIC
- Investment Advice (6282), Investors, Nec (6799)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Micro-VC & Angel Funds (FSANAAAI)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Early-Stage Venture Capital (Series A/B) (FSANAAAB)
Keywords
Where C3 Ventures is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Flint
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
C3 Ventures business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations
Revenue model
- Investment Returns: C3 Ventures generates returns through equity investments in early-stage startups, realizing gains through exits (acquisitions, IPOs) or secondary transactions. The firm has documented multiple successful exits including Cursor (acquired by DataRobot) and Qulture.Rocks (acquired by Grupo UOL).
- Portfolio Company Revenue (Givefront): Givefront, a portfolio fintech company, generates revenue through financial platform services for nonprofits including cards, spend management, and financial infrastructure, likely combining subscription fees with transaction-based revenue.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
C3 Ventures product offering
Product offeringCore offering
C3 Ventures is an angel investing firm that provides seed funding to early-stage startups. The firm backs a portfolio of 20+ companies across multiple sectors, typically at the seed/formation stage, in exchange for equity stakes.
Product overview
C3 Ventures is an angel investing firm focused on early-stage ventures. The company does not offer a product or service of its own; instead, it provides funding and support to portfolio companies across various industries including fintech, healthcare, biotech, climate tech, and robotics. The portfolio companies listed include Givefront (nonprofit fintech), FemtoVox (laser surgery), Perceptive Technologies (robotic dental procedures), VenoStent (bioabsorbable medical devices), Living Carbon (climate biotech), Carbon Chain (carbon analytics), CloseFactor (sales automation), Curebase (clinical trial platforms), Memora Health (healthcare communication), and others.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Seed-stage Angel Investing Seed capital investment provided to early-stage startups in exchange for equity, combined with portfolio support. Target customers are founding teams of newly formed companies.
Quantifiable outcome
- Givefront reported over 200% month-over-month growth in revenue and payment volume
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use C3 Ventures
Customer profileIdeal customer profiles1 record
C3 Ventures technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
C3 Ventures partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Mayo CliniccorePortfolio company FemtoVox entered collaboration with Mayo Clinic to advance laser surgery technology, representing a significant clinical partnership.
- CMA CGMcorePortfolio company Shone launched autonomous cargo ships with shipping giant CMA CGM.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
C3 Ventures competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Techstars: Global accelerator and early-stage investor providing seed capital and mentorship to startups. Directly comparable to C3 Ventures as a seed-stage investor with accelerator-style support.
- Seedcamp: European seed-stage fund investing in early-stage tech founders with small initial checks and follow-on support. Comparable seed-stage model, though regionally focused.
- Hustle Fund: Micro-VC fund making seed-stage investments in software-enabled businesses, often as angel-style checks. Closely mirrors C3 Ventures' small-team, seed-focused approach.
- Y Combinator: The world's most prominent seed-stage accelerator/angel investor, investing in early-stage startups across all sectors. C3 Ventures co-invests with Y Combinator (e.g., Givefront seed) and benefits from the same demo-day-driven deal flow.
- 500 Global (500 Startups): Seed-stage venture fund and accelerator investing in early-stage founders across geographies. Same micro-VC / seed model as C3 Ventures with a focus on diverse founder backing.
- Susa Ventures: Seed-stage venture fund investing in technology companies at the earliest stages. Comparable as a small-team seed investor with concentrated founder relationships.
- Pioneer Fund: Pre-seed and seed community-driven fund investing in category-defining startups. Comparable to C3 Ventures on check size, stage focus, and diversified thesis.
- Right Side Capital Management: Seed-stage investment firm making many small angel-style checks across sectors. Same diversified, seed-only, high-volume model as C3 Ventures.
- Babson Angels / Walnut Venture Associates: Angel investor networks making early-stage checks into startups. Directly comparable to C3 Ventures' angel investing model with shared diligence and co-invest practices.
Emerging players
- South Park Commons: Community-driven fellowship and fund for early-stage technical founders before formal seed. Comparable as an angel-style early backer of founders in deep tech and AI.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
C3 Ventures social profiles
Digital presenceC3 Ventures financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
C3 Ventures leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
C3 Ventures funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
C3 Ventures M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments15 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about C3 Ventures
What does C3 Ventures do?
C3 Ventures is an angel investing firm that provides seed funding to early-stage startups. The firm backs a portfolio of 20+ companies across multiple sectors, typically at the seed/formation stage, in exchange for equity stakes.
Is C3 Ventures a public or private company?
C3 Ventures is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was C3 Ventures founded?
C3 Ventures was founded in 2019. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is C3 Ventures based?
C3 Ventures is headquartered in Flint, United States, in the North America region.
How does C3 Ventures make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Investment Returns are the primary driver. The others are portfolio Company Revenue (Givefront).
Who are C3 Ventures's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Techstars, Seedcamp, Hustle Fund, Y Combinator, 500 Global (500 Startups), Susa Ventures, Pioneer Fund, Right Side Capital Management and Babson Angels / Walnut Venture Associates. South Park Commons is listed as an emerging player.
Does C3 Ventures have an API?
No public API is recorded for C3 Ventures.
What industry is C3 Ventures in?
C3 Ventures's product category is Venture Capital. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSANAAAI, Micro-VC & Angel Funds, with a secondary code of FSANAAAB, Early-Stage Venture Capital (Series A/B). Its NAICS code is 5259 and its SIC code is 6282.