OUR STAKEHOLDERS
Join our ecosystem to experience the risk and adventure of building startups
PROGRAMS
Our Fleet of Programs
Our programmatic platform is built to deliver multiple ways to invest in, support and add value to startups.
Vessel
program 1
Flagship Strategy
Our Flagship strategy includes funds focused on pre-seed + seed investing in high potential companies, and investing in companies created through our Shipyard studio.
Flagship fund is for
Investors
Founders
Vessel
program 2
Shipyard Studio
Our internal venture studio where we build high potential companies from scratch, launching 1-2 per year.
shipyard fund is for
Investors
operators
Vessel
program 3
Ohio Angel Collective
Our focus on building the Ohio startup ecosystem. OAC is a rapidly growing Angel syndicate investing in the most promising startups across the state.
OAC is for
Investors
Founders
communities
Vessel
program 4
Carto Consulting
Strategic consulting and fractional support to help growing companies chart the most direct course to success.
carto consulting is for
Founders
operators
Vessel
program 5
Specialty Financing
Lending program providing non-dilutive capital to companies early in their growth journey. Investments are structured deal by deal.
specialty finance is for
Investors
Founders
Dear Founders,
The journey to start and build a company is similar in archetype to the journey great explorers of old took to discover new worlds and vast treasure. In fact, we believe founders are modern day explorers and we celebrate you as such.
Our mission is to find great entrepreneurs early in their journey, and to be a key partner through the chaotic and often treacherous phase from founding through product-market fit. We are building a platform with diverse offerings to both invest and deliver value. We do not force companies into a VC only model, but aim to meet you where you are with right-fit solutions.
As founders ourselves, we do not deploy capital from lofty and elite positions of privilege. We are born of the seas. We have ships that have made it to land (product-market fit), and ships that rest at the bottom of the waters. We have experienced the ocean (the market) in its magnificent beauty, and have been crushed by its unrelenting force. We have lived on the sword’s edge and have endured the dark nights of the soul.There is nothing easy for founders in this journey, and for those who join along.
Like every other investment firm, we are constrained by time, capital and thesis. So if we never have the opportunity to partner, know that we are grateful for the risk you have taken to pursue change. Because as we all have been taught by one of the Greats, it is the people crazy enough to think they can change the world, that actually do.
With Love,
The Vessel Team
TESTIMONIALS
From Founders we partner with
PORTFOLIO