Lantern is a conviction fund for technical founders building durable companies. We write the first check, take a board seat, and answer the phone at 11pm.
A few of the companies we were early on
We're a small team on purpose, so the partner you pitch is the partner you get.
Our network fills your first ten hard hires — eng leaders, GTM, finance.
Intros to design partners and early customers who'll actually buy.
We line up the Series A before you need it, and tell you the truth about the deck.
A real relationship for the lonely parts — not a quarterly check-in.
We're small on purpose — so the partner who backs you is the one who answers the phone.
Pre-deck is fine. We'd rather see the founder and the wedge than a polished raise.
A clear yes or no in a week — and when it's yes, terms that don't waste your time.
We lead or co-lead the first round and roll up our sleeves from day one.
Hiring, pricing, the hard board conversation — you get a partner, not a portfolio note.
General Partner
Ex-founder, 2 exits · infra
General Partner
Ex-CPO · developer tools
Partner
Ex-VP GTM · vertical SaaS
Partner
Ex-CFO · fintech
“Lantern led our seed when interbank settlement was the least fashionable thing in fintech. They filled our first three eng-leadership hires, sat through two brutal quarters, and followed on in every round since. I'd take their money again in a heartbeat.”
$1M–$6M at seed, and we lead or co-lead nine times out of ten. If the round is already led and full, we'll still take a smaller position when the fit is right — but we're most useful when we're setting terms and sitting on the board.
We target 10–15% at entry and price to leave room for the next round. We won't ask for a bigger bite than the stage warrants, and we don't do option-pool games that quietly dilute you before the wire.
We reserve roughly the same amount again per company for follow-on, and we've followed on in every round for our top-line names. A no on the next round is always a conversation, never a surprise in a data room.
A clear yes or no within a week. Pre-deck is fine — we'd rather see the founder, the wedge, and how you think than a 40-slide raise. If it's a no, you'll get the real reason, not a calendar-full brush-off.
A board seat and a partner on call — hiring your first ten hard roles from our network, intros to design partners who'll buy, and the Series A lined up before you need it. The partner you pitch is the partner you get.
No warm intro required. A short note about the company beats a 40-slide deck.
Hours