Pillar VC

About

Pillar VC is a Boston-based venture capital firm specializing in pre-seed and seed-stage investments. Founded in 2016, the firm focuses on identifying and nurturing scientific breakthroughs with the potential to transform industries and improve lives.

Investment Focus

Pillar VC invests in a diverse range of sectors, including biotechnology, enterprise SaaS, AI/ML, crypto, fintech, hardware, manufacturing, logistics, and consumer markets. They are particularly interested in university spinouts and the convergence of life sciences and technology.

Fund

In March 2025, Pillar VC announced the closing of Fund IV, raising $175 million. This fund aims to continue their mission of investing in founders developing breakthrough technologies that will define the future.

Other Information

Leadership

Pillar VC's leadership team includes:

  • Sarah Hodges: Managing Partner
  • Jamie Goldstein: Partner
  • Russ Wilcox: Partner

All three partners have entrepreneurial backgrounds and lead investments across various sectors.

Investment Strategy

Pillar VC's investment approach is centered on partnering early with founders, often before incorporation, and providing active support throughout the company's growth. They offer pre-seed investments ranging from $50,000 to $500,000 and seed-round investments between $2 million and $6 million. The firm also distinguishes itself by offering to purchase common stock, aligning their interests directly with those of the founders.

Notable Investments

Pillar VC has invested in several notable companies, including:

  • Algorand: A cryptocurrency company
  • Desktop Metal: A 3D printing company
  • PillPack: An online pharmacy acquired by Amazon in 2018
  • Circle: A cryptocurrency company
  • PathAI: An AI-powered pathology company
  • Asimov: A synthetic biology company

Notable Exits

Pillar VC's portfolio has achieved several significant exits, including:

  • PillPack: Acquired by Amazon in 2018
  • Desktop Metal: Went public via a SPAC merger in 2021
  • Circle: Announced plans to go public through a SPAC deal in 2021
  • Zilla: Acquired by CyberArk for $175 million
  • Neural Magic: Acquired by Red Hat in November 2021

Contact Info

contact@pillar.vc

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