Founder Collective

We’re thrilled to share that Cephable has raised $4.6M in seed funding, co-led by Triple Impact Capital, Founder Collective, and Hyperplane.   This investment fuels our mission to bridge accessibility and everyday tech usability through on-device AI. Cephable’s platform allows users to interact with digital devices on their own terms—whether through voice, gestures, facial recognition, or multi-device inputs—making tech accessible from the start.   Our journey is strengthened by partners and industry leaders such as Microsoft, Qualcomm, HP, Lenovo, Intel, and Accenture. Together, we’re committed to reshaping how people engage with technology, creating tools that are intuitive, adaptive, and inclusive.   ➡️ Read the full release here: https://lnkd.in/e68MS2CP   Thank you to our investors and partners for sharing our vision of a truly inclusive digital world and to our users, who are at the core of everything we build. #Cephable #InclusiveTech #OnDeviceAI #AccessibleTech #AI

Boston is home to the world’s best universities and hospitals. Its museums and cultural resources make it one of the top 10 tourist destinations in the US. Boston is also home to a staggering number of successful tech startups. Boston seesaws with NYC for producing the second most tech startup exit value in the US over the last 15 years, only trailing the Bay Area. No country, besides China, has produced as much tech exit value as the little city of Boston. And these stats don’t even include all of the life science, biotech, and medical device startups! We often underestimate the magnitude of innovation and do our work in silos, instead of building as an ecosystem. We started #CollectiveFuture to change that. At Collective Future, there are no keynotes or panels. Instead, we empower every attendee—founders, policymakers, artists, engineers, athletes, and more—to lead a series of dialogues about the issues that matter most to them. We’ve found something magical happens when you put the founders of Toast, Wayfair, ButcherBox, and SimpliSafe together with leaders from the Museum of Science, Beth Israel Lahey, and the Boston Ballet. Representatives from the Mayor’s office and the Governor’s cabinet helped bridge the gap between policy and innovation. Olympic gold medalists, restaurateurs, and presidential speechwriters rounded out the group. A few of many takeaways: ✨ AI is booming…but seldom scaling Excitement around AI is palpable, but clear roadmaps are scarce. Conversations spanned debates about models, speculation about future hardware, the existential risks posed by AI, and the practical challenge of deploying it across massive workforces. Lots of examples of experimentation were shared, but few examples of solutions that have been taken to scale. ❤️🔥 Innovation is a human business Some of the most resonant conversations weren’t about tech—they explored how to chase success without sacrificing happiness, the art of friendship, and the mixing of innovation with culture. Because in the end, innovation isn’t just what we build—it’s who we become along the way and how it impacts our lives. 👻 We can’t win in innovation if we lead in outmigration Cold weather and high housing costs are pushing young people away, risking Boston’s future. Leaders from business, media, and government gathered to find solutions. Retaining talent isn’t just about offering opportunities—it’s about giving them a reason to call this place home. 🙏 Special Thanks We are grateful our co-sponsors Fidelity Labs, HSBC, Gunderson Dettmer, Founder Collective and Akamai Technologies for hosting us! And huge thank the Collective Future Co-host committee: Tom Leighton, Yvonne Hao, Demond Martin, Linda Pizzuti Henry, Steve Fredette, Matt Goldberg, Stefania Mallett, Ming Min Hui, Youngme Moon, Steven Conine, Chad Laurans, Rich Miner, Daniel Acheampong, Andy Palmer, Sarah Hodges, Ed Park, Mike Salguero, Niraj Shah, Kevin Tabb, Will Ahmed, & David Frankel.

Founder Collective is a seed-stage VC firm that's been instrumental in supporting early-stage startups since its inception. With a mission to be the most aligned fund for founders at the seed stage, Founder Collective has built a reputation for its founder-friendly approach & commitment to helping entrepreneurs succeed. The firm prides itself on being led by former founders who understand the unique challenges and opportunities that come with building a company from the ground up. Eric Paley, one of the managing partners at Founder Collective, brings a wealth of experience and insight to the firm. As a seasoned entrepreneur and investor, Eric has a keen eye for identifying promising startups and providing them with the strategic guidance they need to thrive. His background in founding and scaling companies gives him a unique perspective that resonates with the founders he supports. Eric is known for his hands-on approach and his dedication to fostering a collaborative and supportive environment for entrepreneurs. Founder Collective’s investment philosophy centers around the belief that early-stage companies benefit most from investors who are deeply involved and aligned with their long-term vision. The firm takes a collaborative approach, working closely with founders to navigate the complexities of building a business. This hands-on involvement extends beyond just financial support, as Founder Collective offers mentorship, strategic advice, and access to a robust network of industry experts and fellow entrepreneurs. With multiple investments that include Uber, WHOOP, Cruise, Airtable, The Trade Desk, PillPack, Coupang, and over two dozen $1B+ startups, as well as eight appearances on the Forbes Midas List, Founder Collective continues to be a trusted partner for early-stage startups. The firm’s commitment to aligning with founders’ goals and providing comprehensive support has made it a go-to choice for entrepreneurs looking to turn their innovative ideas into thriving businesses. Founder Collective’s impact on the startup ecosystem is a testament to its dedication to fostering the next generation of industry leaders. Here at Fidelity, we want to help founders get "transaction-ready" with our cap table and data room platform, Fidelity Private Shares: https://hubs.ly/Q02ssY6B0 We’re eager to support your journey, so reach out if you need a hand as you’re building & deploying your vision: kristen.craft@fmr.com *Note: If you’re a founder, running a venture-scale startup, you’re likely building relationships with VCs, angels, and corporates. Given my work, supporting the startup ecosystem, I love helping founders identify and connect with the right investors. This video series is an attempt to scale my work. I’m hoping these interviews will let you get to know new investors, clarify what they’re looking for, and make the fundraising process easier to navigate. #Startups #VC #Founders