About Designer Fund

Designer Fund invests $350K to $1M in early-stage tech companies using design to improve health, sustainability, and prosperity for all. We focus on companies at Pre-seed through Series A stages where exceptional design can create meaningful competitive advantages.

We approach our relationship with founders and companies as long-term partnerships, not deals. When we invest in you, we become an extension of your design team and apply the best practices we’ve learned over the past decade investing in multi-billion dollar companies like Stripe, Gusto, Notion, Framer, Commure and Netlify.

How we work with founders

Build a world-class product and brand

Meet with our team and network of design experts for on-demand office hours tailored to what you need most. Instead of cookie cutter advice, we provide feedback based on the unique context of your product, team, and company including: 

• Product testing and reviews of end-to-end flows 

• Guidance on key initiatives like establishing a design system and rebranding

• How to leverage design strategically across your company from product to sales, recruiting, and culture

Designer Fund knows what sets it apart—superlative design acumen—and the team focuses on delivering value to its portfolio companies where it uniquely excels.

— Jesse Vaughan, Co-founder of Kopperfield

Hire and manage exceptional design talent

Bringing on a designer early on will help you move faster, produce higher quality work and identify the right problems to solve. We provide hands-on support throughout your design hiring process, from reviewing your JD to sitting in on interviews, including:

• Referrals for freelancers, studios, and designers actively seeking new opportunities

• Promotion of your design roles via our job board, newsletter, and social channels

• Coaching and mentorship by design leaders who've managed high performing teams from early to growth stages

Designer Fund has a vast network of highly accomplished and skilled designers and advisors. They're a powerful resource if you need help with hiring designers or networking in the industry.

— Cecilia Uhr, Co-founder of Bezi

Close your next funding round

We aim to be one of the most valuable investors on your cap table and earn the right to continue investing in your company from Pre-seed stage through Series B. We support your fundraising process by improving your story and developing an outreach plan including:

• Help finding a lead VC and value-add investors through warm intros and shared references

• Curated lists of recommended co-investors including top-tier angels, seed funds, and VC firms

• Pitch feedback sessions and intros to deck designers

Designer Fund has been by our side throughout our fundraising process when others weren't. They helped improve our story, make introductions and be a reference to close new investors.

— Eugene Johnson, Founder of Revi

Connect with top designers across tech

As part of our investment, we invite you to join Designer Fund Collective, our vibrant community of 300+ successful founders, advisors, and design leaders from top companies like Stripe, Airbnb, Slack, and Instagram. Our in-person and online community includes:

• Private Slack workspace where you can ask questions and make meaningful connections

• Private resource library featuring curated advice on common founder questions

• Member-only events including virtual workshops, AMAs with industry leaders, and in-person meetups

The Designer Fund community has been something that has made our design team feel much larger than it actually is. It feels a lot less lonely to have a wider network to tap into—being a small team of two, you need that sometimes.

— Kamini Iyer, Design Lead at Lumen Energy

Get in front of top design angels

In addition to the Designer Fund team, we collaborate with select top angels who have operating experience at companies like Figma, Notion, WhatsApp, Instagram, Snap, and Dropbox. If there's a potential match, we’ll share your application and invite them to invest in your company alongside us or independently, giving you the chance to add more investors who value design to your cap table.

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What we look for

Selection criteria

• Early stage startups, Pre-seed to Series A

• Companies working to improve health, climate, or prosperity for all

• Mission-driven founders who value design

• Products that are 10x better compared to alternatives

• Multi-billion dollar addressable markets with poor user experiences