20+ Companies
THE PUNCH PORTFOLIO
Backing exceptional immigrant founders at inception — often as the first check before top-tier firms join.
The Punch Method
A NETWORK THAT COMPOUNDS
Every founder we back strengthens the network for every other founder. This isn't passive support — it's a deliberate system that turns connections into revenue, capital, talent, and momentum.
✦ = Current Punch Capital portfolio founder
Punch's methodology activates targeted introductions to enterprise buyers, strategic partners, and revenue catalysts — not random networking, but precision matchmaking.
One intro alone led to a multi-million-dollar deal. Punch Cap is an incredibly high-value-add VC!
Zain Jaffer
Blazel, Vungle ($780M Exit)
Every time I speak with Punch, I have 5 meaningful intros the next morning. 10/10.
Rox Codes
Flightcast with Stephen Bartlett, Past Exit
An early believer before Andreessen led our seed — dozens of intros to potential customers and partners followed.
Ali Moiz
Stonks, Streamlabs ($200M in Exits)
An intro to a unicorn founder led to my very first paying client!
Imran Syed
Hatchproof, Instapage ($80M Exit)
Opened instant access to unicorn CEOs and CFOs, one of which has now moved past our pipeline.
Arpit Goel
Root, Gamma (Exit to NASDAQ: PANW)
One intro alone led to a multi-million-dollar deal. Punch Cap is an incredibly high-value-add VC!
Zain Jaffer
Blazel, Vungle ($780M Exit)
An early believer before Andreessen led our seed — dozens of intros to potential customers and partners followed.
Ali Moiz
Stonks, Streamlabs ($200M in Exits)
An intro to a unicorn founder led to my very first paying client!
Imran Syed
Hatchproof, Instapage ($80M Exit)
Opened instant access to unicorn CEOs and CFOs, one of which has now moved past our pipeline.
Arpit Goel
Root, Gamma (Exit to NASDAQ: PANW)
Every time I speak with Punch, I have 5 meaningful intros the next morning. 10/10.
Rox Codes
Flightcast with Stephen Bartlett, Past Exit
In the News
PUNCH STORIES
CrewAI Announces Series B
Announced alongside Crew Studio, which lets business teams launch and observe agents.
Consensus Raises $30M Series B
AI research engine scales on the back of explosive user and revenue growth.
Stuut Raises $67.6M with Microsoft's M12
Microsoft's venture fund backs the AI accounts-receivable platform.
Deasy Labs Acquired
Punch portfolio company Deasy Labs completes successful acquisition.
CrewAI Raises Series A Led by Insight Partners
The leading AI agent framework secures major backing to scale globally.
Consensus Raises Series A Led by USV
AI-powered academic search engine backed by Union Square Ventures.
Stuut Raises $29M Led by a16z
Andreessen Horowitz leads major round for the AI accounts-receivable startup.
The Podcast
PUNCHCAST.
Unicorn founders. Real exits. Raw stories.
Leadership
Former Techstars All-Star Mentor (top 5%) · Alumni Ventures Senior Fellow · Brown University Student Venture Fund Advisory Board · Host of Punchcast
A Brown University alumnus based between the US and Europe, Shane knows what it's like to build a life as an American abroad, which shapes Punch's focus on immigrant founders building in the US.
Backed at Inception
- CrewAI (alongside Boldstart; Insight led the Series A)
- Consensus (alongside Draper; USV led the Series A)
- Stuut (alongside Khosla; a16z led the Series A)
Earlier angel investments
- Hydra Host: entered at a $27M valuation, now ~$800M with NVIDIA participating
- Replit: $5M to nearly $500M ARR
- Customer.io: $20M to past $100M ARR
His network of operators, VCs and enterprise buyers delivers deals, hires and follow-on capital to portfolio founders. He also advises a unicorn founder's next company.
Punch backs international founders at inception, often in their first round, and keeps connecting them to US customers, capital and the relationships that compound.
- One intro — first paying client.
- One intro — multi-million dollar deal.
- One intro — VC-led seed round.
- One intro — secured board member role.
Our Founders Are
BACKED BY THE BEST
Punch founders have been backed at the earliest stage by the world's most respected venture funds.