Empowering founders to discover new land

Empowering founders to discover new land

Empowering founders to discover new land

We are dedicated to guiding startups through the challenging waters of starting and growing a successful business.

We are dedicated to guiding startups through the challenging waters of starting and growing a successful business.

We are dedicated to guiding startups through the challenging waters of starting and growing a successful business.

39.9612° N

39.9612° N

39.9612° N

82.9988° W

82.9988° W

82.9988° W

Vesselisanuncommonalternativeinvestmentplatform,focusedonpartneringwithentrepreneursearlyintheirjourneytobuildthefutureoftheirindustry.
Vesselisanuncommonalternativeinvestmentplatform,focusedonpartneringwithentrepreneursearlyintheirjourneytobuildthefutureoftheirindustry.
Vesselisanuncommonalternativeinvestmentplatform,focusedonpartneringwithentrepreneursearlyintheirjourneytobuildthefutureoftheirindustry.

OUR STAKEHOLDERS

Join our ecosystem to experience the risk and adventure of building startups

Investors

We provide investment programs that include fund-based and deal by deal opportunities in venture capital and private lending asset classes. We do not follow the norm, but chart our own course to discover opportunity and deliver returns to our investors. Our programs are open to accredited and qualified investors.

Programs of Interest

Flagship Fund

OAC

specialty finance

Investors

We provide investment programs that include fund-based and deal by deal opportunities in venture capital and private lending asset classes. We do not follow the norm, but chart our own course to discover opportunity and deliver returns to our investors. Our programs are open to accredited and qualified investors.

Programs of Interest

Flagship Fund

OAC

specialty finance

Investors

We provide investment programs that include fund-based and deal by deal opportunities in venture capital and private lending asset classes. We do not follow the norm, but chart our own course to discover opportunity and deliver returns to our investors. Our programs are open to accredited and qualified investors.

Programs of Interest

Flagship Fund

OAC

specialty finance

Founders

Founders are modern day explorers. Our aim is to partner with you early in your journey, from startup through product-market fit. We do not look solely through the lens of venture capital, but rather have a broader set of tools to invest in and support you as you pursue growth.

Programs of Interest

flagship

OAC

Specialty finance

carto

Founders

Founders are modern day explorers. Our aim is to partner with you early in your journey, from startup through product-market fit. We do not look solely through the lens of venture capital, but rather have a broader set of tools to invest in and support you as you pursue growth.

Programs of Interest

flagship

OAC

Specialty finance

carto

Founders

Founders are modern day explorers. Our aim is to partner with you early in your journey, from startup through product-market fit. We do not look solely through the lens of venture capital, but rather have a broader set of tools to invest in and support you as you pursue growth.

Programs of Interest

flagship

OAC

Specialty finance

carto

Operators

Talented operators and functional leaders are the difference makers when it comes to building successful companies. We are always in search for elite talent for our portfolio companies and the businesses we build through our Shipyard venture studio. Share your story, and the adventures you yet seek, with us.

Programs of Interest

Shipyard Studio

carto

oac

Operators

Talented operators and functional leaders are the difference makers when it comes to building successful companies. We are always in search for elite talent for our portfolio companies and the businesses we build through our Shipyard venture studio. Share your story, and the adventures you yet seek, with us.

Programs of Interest

Shipyard Studio

carto

oac

Operators

Talented operators and functional leaders are the difference makers when it comes to building successful companies. We are always in search for elite talent for our portfolio companies and the businesses we build through our Shipyard venture studio. Share your story, and the adventures you yet seek, with us.

Programs of Interest

Shipyard Studio

carto

oac

Community

Community magnifies returns. Our team invests across the world, but our heart is for Ohio, the state that has given us much. To reach our startup economic potential, we have significant need for more capital and support for founders building across the state. Join our community to learn how you can support this mission.

Programs of Interest

OAC

Community

Community magnifies returns. Our team invests across the world, but our heart is for Ohio, the state that has given us much. To reach our startup economic potential, we have significant need for more capital and support for founders building across the state. Join our community to learn how you can support this mission.

Programs of Interest

OAC

Community

Community magnifies returns. Our team invests across the world, but our heart is for Ohio, the state that has given us much. To reach our startup economic potential, we have significant need for more capital and support for founders building across the state. Join our community to learn how you can support this mission.

Programs of Interest

OAC

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

letter to founders

letter to founders

vessel

vessel

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

39.9612° N

39.9612° N

82.9988° W

82.9988° W

TESTIMONIALS

From Founders we partner with

Program:

Flagship fund

Will

Hey, we are launching a new site. Would you share 1-2 sentences on working with us as a Flagship Fund portfolio company?

Naveed

Vessel have been incredible partner to us from the moment we first met Will Zell. They have consistently helped us win across the board. From recruitment, sales, product, to marketing. We’re proud to have them on our cap table.

Will

Thank you!

student reimbursement

Program:

Flagship fund

Will

Hey, we are launching a new site. Would you share 1-2 sentences on working with us as a Flagship Fund portfolio company?

Naveed

Vessel have been incredible partner to us from the moment we first met Will Zell. They have consistently helped us win across the board. From recruitment, sales, product, to marketing. We’re proud to have them on our cap table.

Will

Thank you!

student reimbursement

Program:

Flagship fund

Will

Hey, we are launching a new site. Would you share 1-2 sentences on working with us as a Flagship Fund portfolio company?

Naveed

Vessel have been incredible partner to us from the moment we first met Will Zell. They have consistently helped us win across the board. From recruitment, sales, product, to marketing. We’re proud to have them on our cap table.

Will

Thank you!

student reimbursement

Program:

Carto Consulting

Will

Hey Jeremy, we are launching a new site and are looking for testimonials from Carto clients. Interested in sharing?

Jeremy

Sure!

The Carto team becomes your team. We have seen a significant positive impact in our overall business and culture and much credit to the guidance of Patrick has brought to that driving those results.

Will

Thanks Jeremy!

Program:

Carto Consulting

Will

Hey Jeremy, we are launching a new site and are looking for testimonials from Carto clients. Interested in sharing?

Jeremy

Sure!

The Carto team becomes your team. We have seen a significant positive impact in our overall business and culture and much credit to the guidance of Patrick has brought to that driving those results.

Will

Thanks Jeremy!

Program:

Carto Consulting

Will

Hey Jeremy, we are launching a new site and are looking for testimonials from Carto clients. Interested in sharing?

Jeremy

Sure!

The Carto team becomes your team. We have seen a significant positive impact in our overall business and culture and much credit to the guidance of Patrick has brought to that driving those results.

Will

Thanks Jeremy!

Program:

Ohio angel collective

Corey

Hey Katie, we are launching a new website and I was wondering if you could give us a quick testimonial on our relationship through the OAC?

Katie

OAC has been a force for momentum. From suggesting amazing talent to join our team, to introducing us to customers, and being there through important decisions. I’m so glad we have the fortune of working together.

Corey

Awesome, thank you Katie!

artificial intelligence

Program:

Ohio angel collective

Corey

Hey Katie, we are launching a new website and I was wondering if you could give us a quick testimonial on our relationship through the OAC?

Katie

OAC has been a force for momentum. From suggesting amazing talent to join our team, to introducing us to customers, and being there through important decisions. I’m so glad we have the fortune of working together.

Corey

Awesome, thank you Katie!

artificial intelligence

Program:

Ohio angel collective

Corey

Hey Katie, we are launching a new website and I was wondering if you could give us a quick testimonial on our relationship through the OAC?

Katie

OAC has been a force for momentum. From suggesting amazing talent to join our team, to introducing us to customers, and being there through important decisions. I’m so glad we have the fortune of working together.

Corey

Awesome, thank you Katie!

artificial intelligence

Program:

Ohio angel collective

Will

Yo Torrey! We are launching a new site and are looking for testimonials from port co leaders. Interested in sharing about working with OAC?

Torrey

The Ohio Angel Collective was the first to believe in me and my vision, offering both capital and guidance when I needed it most. Their network of investors isn't just supportive — they actively roll up their sleeves to help founders succeed, providing mentorship, making key introductions, and working alongside me to build a generational company.

Will

This is amazing. Thank you so much!

artificial intelligence

Program:

Ohio angel collective

Will

Yo Torrey! We are launching a new site and are looking for testimonials from port co leaders. Interested in sharing about working with OAC?

Torrey

The Ohio Angel Collective was the first to believe in me and my vision, offering both capital and guidance when I needed it most. Their network of investors isn't just supportive — they actively roll up their sleeves to help founders succeed, providing mentorship, making key introductions, and working alongside me to build a generational company.

Will

This is amazing. Thank you so much!

artificial intelligence

Program:

Ohio angel collective

Will

Yo Torrey! We are launching a new site and are looking for testimonials from port co leaders. Interested in sharing about working with OAC?

Torrey

The Ohio Angel Collective was the first to believe in me and my vision, offering both capital and guidance when I needed it most. Their network of investors isn't just supportive — they actively roll up their sleeves to help founders succeed, providing mentorship, making key introductions, and working alongside me to build a generational company.

Will

This is amazing. Thank you so much!

artificial intelligence

PORTFOLIO

Driving Future Growth through Innovative Companies

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Flagship Fund

8 COMPANIES

Asset Watch

portfolio

portfolio

Flagship Fund

Flagship Fund

stage

stage

series b

series b

Zoog

portfolio

portfolio

Flagship Fund

Flagship Fund

stage

stage

seed

seed

Dolr

portfolio

portfolio

Flagship Fund

Flagship Fund

stage

stage

seed

seed

Capsule

portfolio

portfolio

Flagship Fund

Flagship Fund

stage

stage

pre-seed

pre-seed

Breshna

portfolio

portfolio

Flagship Fund

Flagship Fund

stage

stage

seed

seed

Terra Kaffe

portfolio

portfolio

Flagship Fund

Flagship Fund

stage

stage

series a

series a

OptioLend

portfolio

portfolio

Flagship Fund

Flagship Fund

stage

stage

pre-seed

pre-seed

Telly

portfolio

portfolio

Flagship Fund

Flagship Fund

stage

stage

series a

series a

ohio angel collective

6 COMPANIES

Thoughtly

portfolio

portfolio

OAC

OAC

stage

stage

seed

seed

Narratize

portfolio

portfolio

OAC

OAC

stage

stage

seed

seed

Intract

portfolio

portfolio

OAC

OAC

stage

stage

seed

seed

SourceCo

portfolio

portfolio

OAC

OAC

stage

stage

seed

seed

Peaceful Fruits

portfolio

portfolio

OAC

OAC

stage

stage

seed

seed

Dolr

portfolio

portfolio

OAC

OAC

stage

stage

seed

seed

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Vessel

Empowering Founders to Discover New Land

Vessel

Empowering Founders to Discover New Land

Vessel

Empowering Founders to Discover New Land