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Seed & Series A · Since 2009

We back the unreasonable people early, and stay long.

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.

The fund

Patient capital, by the numbers.

$1.4BUnder management
120+Companies backedSince 2009
14IPOs & exits
1stCheck, more often than not

A few of the companies we were early on

NorthwindApexVelaQuantaLumenCohere LabsSignalHarbor
After the wire

The help that actually helps.

We're a small team on purpose, so the partner you pitch is the partner you get.

Recruiting

Our network fills your first ten hard hires — eng leaders, GTM, finance.

Go-to-market

Intros to design partners and early customers who'll actually buy.

The next round

We line up the Series A before you need it, and tell you the truth about the deck.

Founder support

A real relationship for the lonely parts — not a quarterly check-in.

How we help

A first check, and a real partner.

We're small on purpose — so the partner who backs you is the one who answers the phone.

  1. 01

    We meet early

    Pre-deck is fine. We'd rather see the founder and the wedge than a polished raise.

  2. 02

    Conviction, then speed

    A clear yes or no in a week — and when it's yes, terms that don't waste your time.

  3. 03

    First check, board seat

    We lead or co-lead the first round and roll up our sleeves from day one.

  4. 04

    On call at 11pm

    Hiring, pricing, the hard board conversation — you get a partner, not a portfolio note.

The partners

Operators who've sat in your chair.

Eleanor Shaw

General Partner

Ex-founder, 2 exits · infra

Marcus Bell

General Partner

Ex-CPO · developer tools

Priya Anand

Partner

Ex-VP GTM · SaaS

David Osei

Partner

Ex-CFO · fintech

Lantern wrote the first check when no one else would, then earned every follow-on by actually showing up. I'd take their money again in a heartbeat.
SMSofia MarquesFounder & CEO, Atlas
Building something?

Tell us what you're working on.

No warm intro required. A short note about the company beats a 40-slide deck.

Email
founders@lantern.capital
Visit
San Francisco · New York

Hours

  • StageSeed · Series A
  • ResponseWithin 3 days
Pitch us