Proteus, LLC

About The Fund

Proteus, LLC, doing business as 1984 Ventures, is a venture capital firm based in San Francisco, with a primary focus on investing in software-driven startups. They embody the belief that nimble startups equipped with powerful software can challenge and disrupt even the most formidable incumbents, embodying the 'Small Tech' ethos that became prominent with Apple's rise. 1984 Ventures specializes in Seed and Early Stage investments, targeting startups that use software to address real problems and drive innovation across various industries, such as Vertical SaaS, AI/ML, OSS/Devtools, and Digital Health. With an equity-first approach and $50 million in assets under management, they offer more than just capital to their portfolio companies; they provide substantial support without taking board seats and remain actively involved through recruiting assistance, fundraising guidance, and founder therapy. They aim to set their startups for success, particularly as they gear up for Series A funding rounds. The investment team is composed of experienced professionals like Ramy Adeeb, Samit Kalra, Mark Percival, and Farzad Soleimani, who collectively contribute a wealth of knowledge from diverse backgrounds such as healthcare, software development, and entrepreneurship. Their philosophy centers around investing only in Seed stage startups, believing that this is where they can add the most value. They are flexible in their investment modes, utilizing instruments like SAFE or equity and can both lead or participate in financing rounds. 1984 Ventures operationally distinguishes itself by eschewing board seats, preferring to be on the speed dial for late-night strategic calls and offering hands-on support in critical areas. Their portfolio highlights include companies like Posthog, Postscript, Cobot, and many others reflecting their thesis of backing disruptive, software-centric startups. The firm's network also includes senior advisors and technology partners who bring additional expertise and resources to the table.