1517 Fund

About The Fund

1517 Fund is a US-based venture capital firm co-founded in 2015 by the creators of the Thiel Fellowship. They focus on backing uncredentialed founders, college dropouts, students, and deep tech scientists, investing in the earliest stages of a company's development. By putting an emphasis on the individual over their credentials, 1517 Fund disrupts traditional educational paradigms, nurturing interests and curiosities in defiance of conventional paths. They consider a broad range of industries, including Education, BioTech, AgroTech, Business Solutions, Retail and E-Commerce, CleanTech, HealthTech and Fitness, Blockchain and Cryptos, Gaming and eSports, Medical Devices and Hospital Services, DeepTech, Healthcare and Wellness, Consumer, and Woman Focused. Their initial investments range from $50,000 to $1 million, with a sweet spot around $250,000. Alongside direct investments, they offer micro-grants, community support via workshops, events, and mentorship. The firm's origin traces back to the Thiel Fellowship launched in 2010, which recognized the potential of outlier founders. The success of Thiel Fellows, including those behind major projects like Ethereum and companies such as Figma, Luminar, and OYO Rooms, demonstrated that their early support could foster significant innovation. With investment commitments over $150 million and a robust community of over 3000 members, 1517 Fund leverages its resources to ignite a 'New Reformation' in education and innovation. They bring together a unique community of hackers, makers, and scientists to challenge the status quo and push the boundaries of knowledge and technology.