Two new funds will target startups in logistics, payroll, and construction. The firm aims to bring advanced automation to industries powering the real economy. Base10 Partners is doubling down on research-driven investments.
Base10 Partners, a San Francisco-based venture capital firm, has closed two new funds totaling $850 million to invest in automation technologies across logistics, payroll, construction, and other foundational industries. The new capital includes a seed and Series A fund, as well as a Series B fund, both focused on startups driving efficiency in the so-called real economy.
Co-founder Adeyemi Ajao told Crunchbase News that Base10 Partners is committed to using technology to democratize capabilities once reserved for the top 1%, making them accessible to a broader range of businesses. The firm’s portfolio reflects this mission, with investments in companies such as Nubank, Motive, WeTravel, Happy Robot, and Blank Street.
Base10’s investment strategy centers on deep research. The team spends months analyzing sectors before making commitments, often meeting with every relevant company worldwide—even those not actively fundraising. According to Ajao, about 90% of investments result from this research-driven approach.
The firm is also exploring advanced AI, including vision and world models that could enable robotics to understand complex environments like construction sites. Manufacturing intelligence is another area of interest, with Ajao questioning whether AI can interpret manufacturing processes as effectively as large language models understand text.
Base10 invests from seed through Series B. Each year, the early-stage fund will back 10 to 15 seed-stage startups and two to three Series A companies, while the Series B fund will make three to four investments annually. The firm has developed an internal AI system, Base11, to classify companies and automate research, but Ajao emphasizes that final decisions remain deeply human, relying on founder interactions and customer insights.
Competition among venture firms is intensifying, Ajao noted, pushing Base10 to clearly articulate its value to founders. Through its Advancement Initiative, the firm donates up to 50% of carried interest to underfunded colleges and universities to support financial aid.
For more on Base10 Partners’ lead investments, visit Crunchbase’s dedicated query page. (Source: crunchbase, original link)
