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§ Venture Capital · USA
Investment firm for technology-led lower-middle market buyouts & early-stage venture investments in AI services.
Key people at Centre Street Partners.
Centre Street Partners is a New York City-based boutique investment firm that executes a hybrid strategy of lower-middle market buyouts and early-stage venture capital investments. The firm focuses on integrating artificial intelligence and technical talent into traditional service businesses across sectors such as defense, financial operations, and enterprise software. Operating with check sizes ranging from $100,000 to $500,000, the firm targets exit outcomes between $300 million and $700 million and currently manages a portfolio of more than 24 active companies from its first fund. Centre Street Partners has backed several notable portfolio companies, including Arcee AI, Pelles AI, and Jericho Security, while recently participating in a $13 million seed round for VATN Systems and leading a $6.25 million seed round for Celery. The firm was founded in 2022 by managing partners Abie J. Cohen and Jonathan Kerstein.
Centre Street Partners is a modern, technology-focused investment firm operating at the intersection of private equity and venture capital. Founded in 2015 and based in New York, it primarily invests in early-stage technology companies, targeting outlier founders who are innovating at the convergence of technology and evolving societal behaviors. The firm’s investment philosophy emphasizes backing transformative startups across sectors such as consumer products, fintech, enterprise software, AI, and climate tech. By providing capital and strategic support, Centre Street Partners aims to accelerate growth and impact within the startup ecosystem, particularly in the U.S.[1][2][3][4][5]
Centre Street Partners was founded in 2015 in New York by key partners including Jonathan Kerstein (General and Managing Partner) and Abie J Cohen (General Partner and Managing Director). The firm evolved with a dual focus on early-stage venture capital and control-oriented private equity buyouts, positioning itself uniquely at the crossroads of these investment disciplines. This hybrid approach enables Centre Street Partners to support companies from seed rounds through growth stages, leveraging deep sector expertise and operational experience.[2][4][5]
Centre Street Partners rides the trend of technology-driven societal transformation, investing where technology intersects with changing consumer behaviors and enterprise needs. The timing is favorable due to accelerating digital adoption, AI advancements, and growing demand for sustainable solutions. By backing early-stage innovators in sectors like fintech, AI, and climate tech, the firm influences the broader ecosystem by enabling startups that address critical market shifts and societal challenges. Its hybrid investment approach also reflects evolving market dynamics where flexible capital and operational involvement are increasingly valued.[1][3][4]
Looking ahead, Centre Street Partners is well-positioned to expand its influence by continuing to invest in frontier technologies and founders who challenge the status quo. Trends such as AI integration, climate innovation, and fintech disruption will likely shape its portfolio and strategy. As the firm deepens its dual private equity and venture capital model, it may increase its role as a strategic partner capable of supporting startups through multiple growth phases, enhancing its impact on the innovation ecosystem. This evolution ties back to its founding vision of bridging capital and operational expertise to back transformative technology ventures.[1][3][4][5]
Key people at Centre Street Partners.
Centre Street Partners has 6 tracked investments across 5 companies. The latest tracked deal is $60.0M Series A in Vatn in December 2025.
