Kivu Ventures was founded by Seth Berman, a co-founder of Susa Ventures. Our goal is to find entrepreneurs building products the world has yet to imagine. We are focused on vertical AI and AI infrastructure.

Kivu has a roster of experienced operators and founders in our network, giving our portfolio companies unique access to world-changing leaders.

If you are one of the best operators in your chosen field, we want to talk to you.

Partnering with Kivu

We have flexible ownership thresholds compared to the large multi-stage funds
We help raise capital, introduce you to customers, recruit talent
We provide access to world-leading experts
We invest at the Series A and Series B Stage
We invest up to $15 million per company

Portfolio

AI Infrastructure & Security

Expanse
AI cybersecurity platform
(acquired by Palo Alto Networks for $800M)

Mux
Video streaming APIs, data, and players

Namespace
Purpose-built compute platform to enhance developer workflow performance

Qodo AI
Agentic AI for reviewing, testing, and generating code

Vertical AI

Promise AI
AI content studio

Pulley
Construction permitting platform

Workramp
Learning management system

Healthcare

Chapter
Medicare navigation

HOPPR AI
Medical grade platform transforming medical imaging

Osmind
Mental health treatment and research platform

Ostro
Comprehensive patient engagement and telemedicine platform

Plenful
Workflow automation company for healthcare operators

Superpower
Digital concierge clinic helping patients live longer

Viz AI
AI-powered care coordination and disease detection platform

Logistics

Flexport
Digital freight forwarder

Loop
Transportation cost management

Stord
Cloud supply chain for brands

Fintech

Human Interest
401(k)s for small businesses

Newfront Insurance
Modern commercial insurance brokerage

Nova Credit
Credit infrastructure and analytics

Robinhood
Digital brokerage (IPO $HOOD)

Stedi
API-first healthcare clearinghouse

Consumer

Omio
Multi-modal travel booking platform

Whoop
Performance optimization system to track athlete training and recovery

What Guides Our Decisions

Kivu invests in Series A and B companies with demonstrated product-market fit and defensible business models. We partner with companies that pair best-in-class metrics with strong momentum and indisputable market traction.

Our focus includes:

Exceptional founders with deep domain expertise and strategic vision
Compelling product roadmaps with a clear path to scale and category leadership
Defensible moats that protect long-term value creation
High-performing company cultures that attract and retain top talent
Material velocity in product adoption and sustained growth

Founder & General Partner

Seth Berman

Seth Berman is Founder and General Partner at Kivu Ventures, where he focuses on investments in AI, AI Infrastructure, logistics, Digital Health, Deeptech and Fintech. Seth co-founded Susa Ventures, where he led investments in Flexport, Expanse, Chapter, and Pulley. He also invested in post-seed deals in Intercom, Nest, and Robinhood.

Prior to Susa, Seth was an active angel investor. He has invested in hundreds seed stage companies. He also served as the VP of Strategic Marketing for The Richemont Group, a publicly traded company (CFR:VX). Seth graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder with a bachelor's degree in Business and Finance.