Automotive Ventures is a seed-stage investment firm focused entirely on the mobility sector. Founded in 2014 and based in Atlanta, the firm supports early-stage companies shaping the future of transportation. With over 25 years of industry experience among its team, Automotive Ventures has backed roughly 40 portfolio companies and deploys initial checks around $250,000. Its three funds specialize in identifying emerging trends and helping founders navigate the challenges of building new ventures in automotive technology. The firm works closely with entrepreneurs to offer guidance on strategy, market positioning and growth planning while leveraging its broad network of industry contacts to connect startups with potential partners.
Automotive Ventures invests across areas such as vehicle data management and cybersecurity, autonomy and robotics, new ownership and subscription models, and the shift to digital retail experiences. The firm also seeks opportunities in smart city solutions, where vehicles and infrastructure interact to improve urban mobility, and in applications of automotive technology to fields like agriculture and mining. By focusing on clean energy and decarbonization, Automotive Ventures aims to promote innovations that reduce carbon emissions and support the transition to electric vehicles. Through a mix of financial support and operational advice, the firm assists founders in refining their technology, securing follow-on funding and accelerating time to market.
Clean technology and advanced battery solutions represent a core area of interest for Automotive Ventures. In Mobility Fund II, the firm backed Safire, which developed an electrolyte that solidifies under impact to prevent fires and returns to a liquid state afterward, improving battery safety without added weight. Automotive Ventures also invested in EVident Battery, whose hardware-software system uses vibration analysis and machine learning to detect structural issues in electric vehicle packs before they lead to costly replacements.
