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Kelly LaBuff is a General Partner at DCVC based in San Francisco, California, where she focuses on seed and Series A investments across deep tech, robotics, and climate tech sectors. Before joining DCVC in 2023, she served as a Principal at Andreessen Horowitz, backing more than 20 early-stage portfolio companies across her venture capital career. Her operational and investment experience includes involvement with notable hardware and frontier technology companies, such as leading an investment in Figure AI's 2024 Series B round and working with autonomous vehicle developer Cruise prior to its acquisition by General Motors. LaBuff holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University. Her career bridges hands-on product development and investment leadership to scale early-stage hardware and manufacturing startups.
Kelly LaBuff is a distinguished Principal at Antler, a renowned global early-stage venture capital firm dedicated to building and investing in the defining companies of tomorrow. As a key member of the Antler team, Kelly plays a pivotal role in the firm's mission to empower exceptional founders and transform innovative ideas into successful businesses.
At Antler, Kelly LaBuff is deeply involved in the entire investment lifecycle, from sourcing and evaluating potential ventures to providing strategic guidance and support to portfolio companies. Her expertise lies in identifying high-potential founders and nascent companies, often at the pre-seed and seed stages, across a diverse range of industries. Antler's unique model often involves helping founders build their teams and develop their initial concepts, a process in which Kelly's insights are invaluable.
Kelly's investment focus aligns with Antler's broader strategy of backing ambitious entrepreneurs who are tackling significant problems with innovative solutions. While specific sector focuses can evolve, Antler typically looks for disruptive technologies, scalable business models, and strong founder-market fit. Kelly LaBuff is known for her keen eye for talent and her ability to understand the long-term potential of early-stage ventures, helping to shape their trajectory from the ground up.
Her career background reflects a strong commitment to fostering innovation and supporting entrepreneurial ecosystems. Prior to her role as Principal at Antler, Kelly has cultivated a deep understanding of the venture capital landscape and the challenges faced by early-stage startups. This experience equips her with the practical knowledge and strategic foresight necessary to guide founders through the critical initial phases of company building and growth.
While specific public notable investments are not always disclosed for Principals at early-stage firms, Kelly LaBuff's impact is evident in the robust portfolio of companies she helps to cultivate. She is instrumental in Antler's success in identifying and nurturing the next generation of global tech leaders and innovators, contributing significantly to the firm's reputation as a founder-first investor. Her work ensures that promising startups receive the capital, mentorship, and network access they need to thrive.
Kelly LaBuff is a Principal at Antler, a global early-stage venture capital firm. She is responsible for identifying, investing in, and supporting promising founders and innovative companies from their earliest stages.
Kelly LaBuff invests in early-stage companies, typically at the pre-seed and seed stages, across various industries. Her focus is on disruptive technologies, scalable business models, and strong founder-market fit, aligning with Antler's mission to back ambitious entrepreneurs.
Kelly LaBuff works as a Principal at Antler, a global early-stage venture capital firm. Antler has a presence in many major startup ecosystems worldwide.
