- 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.
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.
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.