Investor profile

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Startup Ignition Ventures

Micro-fund

USB2B SaaSAI/MLEnterpriseHealthtechDevtoolsConsumerMarketplaces

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Investment thesis

Startup Ignition Ventures is a $20 million pre-seed venture fund based in Provo, Utah, focused on writing first checks into early-stage technology startups with validated business models. The firm targets B2B software essential for vertical industries—mission-critical workflow management and productivity solutions that become indispensable tools, not just convenient add-ons—while remaining opportunistic across SaaS, AI, consumer products, mobile, and deep tech. SIV operates with an 'idea to exit' mentality, providing hands-on mentorship alongside capital, and positions itself as the first call for portfolio founders facing legal, sales, or hiring challenges.

Notable quotes

It's much better to be the first or the last investor in a venture deal, not in the middle.

John Richards · TechBuzz News – 'Investor Mindset: Startup Ignition Ventures Launches New Fund for Early-stage Startups' · 2022-08-08

We want to be there when there's a problem; when there's a legal issue, when there's a sales issue, when there's a hiring issue, we want to be that first call for them.

Jordan Harbertson · TechBuzz News – 'Investor Mindset: Startup Ignition Ventures Launches New Fund for Early-stage Startups' · 2022-08-08

CoachIQ exemplifies the type of innovative and founder-driven companies we seek to invest in at Startup Ignition Ventures.

John Richards · TechBuzz News – 'CoachIQ Raises $1.3 Million Pre-Seed Round Led by Startup Ignition Ventures' · 2024-12-05

Team

John Richards

Co-Founder & Managing Partner

B2B SaaSEnterpriseConsumerAI/ML

Tyler Richards

Co-Founder & General Partner

B2B SaaSAI/MLDevtools

Sterling Sessions

Investment Partner

B2B SaaSEnterprise

Jordan Harbertson

Co-Founder & Venture Partner

B2B SaaSEnterprise

Recent investments

CompanyRoundSizeDate
4StudentLivesPre-seed$600k2026-03-13
Data PhleetPre-seed$600k2025-07-21
CoachIQPre-seed$1m2024-12-05
Identity MatrixPre-seed2024-09-04
RECORDPre-seed$500k2023-12-21
PalettePre-seed$150k2023-12-16
AlcomySeed$600k2023-05-01
Oliver TechnologyPre-seed$575k2023-06-16
Dimension XPre-seed$600k2022-08-17
CardagraphPre-seed$860k2022-09-01

Frequent co-investors

VC firmDeals together
Frazier VC2
P3 Ventures1
Bob van Luijt (angel)1

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