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Status
ACTIVE
Global HQ
Telluride, United States
Countries of investment
  • United States
Investment stages
  • Seed
Industries
  • Technology
  • Deep Tech
  • Science
About
1517 Fund is an early-stage investor championing unconventional, often non-traditional founders such as dropouts and autodidacts who are pursuing bold, disruptive ideas. The firm deploys capital across frontier technology sectors, catalyzing breakthrough startups and nurturing new pathways to innovation outside classic credentials.
Min check size
$50K
Max check size
$1M
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NPS

Investment Thesis

1517 Fund invests in founders who have taken unconventional paths, including dropouts and non-traditional entrepreneurs, focusing on early-stage technology startups aiming to disrupt markets with bold ideas.
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Co Invest
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Manager's Experience

Co-founded by Danielle and Michael, the team pioneered the Thiel Fellowship in 2010 and focuses on backing founders without traditional degrees who push limits in science, tech, and entrepreneurship. They support early-stage founders closely with hands-on mentorship and pre-seed funding before formal deal documents, fostering some high-profile successes.

Team

Danielle Strachman – General Partner & Co-Founder

Michael Gibson – General Partner & Co-Founder

Zak Slayback – Partner

Nick Arnett – Partner

Haylee Johnson – Operations Partner

Portfolio

Luminar

Loom

Lambda

QuEra

Onshape

Fountain

Snyk

Cents

Deepgram

Calm

Radiant

Presso

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