18.Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Santa Monica, California, that invests in seed-round startups, primarily in the US and Israel, across high-tech, blockchain, and food/agriculture sectors.
Key people at 18.Ventures.
Key people at 18.Ventures.
18.Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm primarily investing in startups founded by US and Israeli entrepreneurs. Their mission centers on backing innovative founders at the seed stage, with a focus on companies that have a strong connection to Israel’s tech ecosystem. The firm’s investment philosophy emphasizes early engagement with promising ventures, leveraging its network to support growth in sectors that often include deep tech, climate tech, and other emerging technologies. By bridging US and Israeli markets, 18.Ventures plays a role in fostering cross-border innovation and strengthening the startup ecosystem in both regions[2][3].
Founded with a focus on early-stage investments, 18.Ventures is headquartered in Santa Monica, California. While specific founding year and key partners are not publicly detailed, the firm’s portfolio and activity indicate a strategic evolution toward supporting seed-stage companies with a nexus to Israel, reflecting a specialized geographic and sectoral focus. Their investment in companies like MeliBio, a startup in the alternative protein space, highlights their interest in cutting-edge sectors with potential for significant impact and growth[3].
18.Ventures rides the trend of globalization in venture capital, particularly the increasing importance of Israeli innovation in the global tech scene. The timing is favorable as Israel continues to be a hotbed for startups, especially in deep tech and sustainability sectors. Market forces such as growing investor interest in climate solutions and alternative food technologies align with their portfolio choices. By connecting US capital with Israeli founders, 18.Ventures helps accelerate cross-border technology transfer and scale, influencing the broader ecosystem by enabling startups to access diverse markets and resources[2][3].
Looking ahead, 18.Ventures is likely to deepen its focus on sectors with high growth potential, such as climate tech and sustainable food technologies, leveraging its cross-border network to identify and scale breakthrough innovations. Trends like increased global collaboration in venture capital and rising demand for sustainable solutions will shape their investment strategy. Their influence may expand as they continue to bridge US and Israeli markets, potentially becoming a key player in fostering international startup ecosystems and driving innovation in emerging tech sectors.
This positions 18.Ventures as a specialized early-stage investor with a unique geographic and sector focus, poised to capitalize on evolving market dynamics and the growing prominence of Israeli-founded startups.
| Date | Company | Round | Lead Investor(s) | Co-Investor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 1, 2025 | Prozymi Biolabs | $200K Seed | — | Alumni Ventures, Astanor Ventures, Babel Ventures, Big Idea Ventures, Capital V, Craig Shapiro, Social Starts |
| Oct 1, 2024 | Monark Markets | $2.0M Seed | — | Forum Ventures |
| Oct 1, 2023 | BioFluff | $3.0M Seed | — | Alumni Ventures, Astanor Ventures, Babel Ventures, Big Idea Ventures, Capital V, Craig Shapiro, Social Starts, SOSV |
| Feb 1, 2023 | Monark Markets | $1.0M Seed | — | Forum Ventures |
| May 1, 2022 | Galley Solutions | $14.0M Series A | — | Alumni Ventures, Astanor Ventures, Babel Ventures, Big Idea Ventures, Capital V, Craig Shapiro, Social Starts |
| Mar 1, 2021 | MeliBio | $850K Seed | — | Alumni Ventures, Astanor Ventures, Babel Ventures, Big Idea Ventures, Capital V, Craig Shapiro, Rajan Anandan, Social Starts, SOSV |
| Feb 1, 2021 | Veggie Victory | $100K Seed | — | Alumni Ventures, Astanor Ventures, Babel Ventures, Big Idea Ventures, Capital V, Craig Shapiro, Social Starts |
