Realist Ventures Research
Investment Thesis
Realist Ventures is a Connecticut-based venture capital firm founded in 2018 by Marie Rocha, a former software engineer and serial entrepreneur. The firm targets groundbreaking startups with diverse founding teams that are building solutions in biotech, SaaS, and software sectors. Realist Ventures intentionally positioned itself outside traditional tech hubs like Silicon Valley to focus on overlooked founders and innovative ideas that solve modern problems with capital-efficient approaches and realistic valuations.
Marie Rocha founded Realist Ventures with the explicit mission to transform the venture capital model and address the comprehensive needs of underrepresented founders. The firm demonstrates this commitment through both its investment activity and its nonprofit arm, Realist Lab, launched in 2023, which provides a 12-week fellowship program supporting non-technical entrepreneurs with training in core business practices, founder wellness, and technology specialization.
Stage Focus
Realist Ventures primarily invests in early-stage companies:
- Pre-seed: Leading rounds with check sizes of $250K-$500K for prototype development and early validation
- Seed: Providing capital and support for validated concepts and early revenue stage companies
The firm focuses on companies at the development, prototype, and early revenue stages, making it one of the earliest institutional investors for many portfolio companies.
Check Size
Typical investment range: $100K-$500K
- Pre-seed range: $250K (according to Forbes 2020 profile)
- Seed range: $750K (according to Forbes 2020 profile)
The firm is capital-efficient and prefers founders with realistic valuations and proven traction.
Lead Tendency
Realist Ventures demonstrates a strong tendency to lead rounds. The firm's portfolio shows consistent leadership positions in seed and pre-seed investments, with particular emphasis on being first institutional capital for diverse founders.
Recent Activity
Notable Recent Exits:
- Career Karma: Acquired by Climb Credit in September 2025 (6-year holding period from seed investment in July 2019)
- Shipsi: Acquired in September 2024 (5.8-year holding period from seed investment in November 2018)
- Breshna: Current portfolio company, seed investment in July 2022
Fund Status: The firm appears to have multiple funds, with references to Fund II in market data. Based on portfolio activity, the firm remains actively engaged with portfolio companies and exploring new investments.
Portfolio Highlights
Realist Ventures' portfolio demonstrates diversity across multiple sectors and geographies:
Disclosed Investments:
- Career Karma (Acquired): Platform for career guidance and bootcamp matching, 224 employees, $53.5M total funding, acquired by Climb Credit (2025)
- Shipsi (Acquired): Cloud-based shipping solution for e-tailers, 11 employees, $1.9M total funding, acquired 2024
- Breshna: Enterprise/mobility solutions company based in Vienna, Austria, 14 employees, $2.94M total funding
Other Notable Investments:
- Participated in GRID (gaming), led by 11 Tribes Ventures and Blockchain Founders Fund, alongside Zell Capital and Formless Capital
- Mentioned as investor in Valisure, Outrival, Liquid Death, and AG1 (per Marie Rocha's LinkedIn)
Sector Distribution:
- Enterprise Applications: 2 investments
- Consumer: 1 investment
- Media & Entertainment: 1 investment
- Retail: 1 investment
- Transportation and Logistics Tech: 1 investment
- Other: 1 investment
Geographic Distribution:
- United States: 2 investments (primary focus)
- Austria: 1 investment (international expansion)
Team
Marie Rocha - General Partner/Founder
- Former software engineer and serial founder
- 20+ years of business experience
- Founded Realist Lab nonprofit in 2023
- Board member: Connecticut Public (2025)
- Recognized as Black Emerging VC Fund Manager (Venture Forward, 2025)
- Active in ecosystem: Women Who Tech (board/advisor), Black Ambition Prize mentor
- Focus: Supporting women, Black, and Latinx entrepreneurs
Joana Gutierrez - Principal
- Partner at Republic Core LLC (since 2022)
- Republic Venture Partner (since 2023)
- Also co-founder at Aiko AI (STEM-focused)
- Background: Product and venture experience
- Location: Darien/New York area
Geographic Focus
Primary Market: Connecticut and North America (US-based companies)
Investment Geography:
- Strong presence in Connecticut (home market)
- US-focused with proven investments in San Francisco and Los Angeles
- Selective international: Austria investment (Breshna)
- Open to entrepreneurs across North America based on thesis fit
Investment Criteria & Preferences
Founder Preferences:
- Diverse founding teams (explicitly stated mission)
- Underrepresented entrepreneurs (women, Black, Latinx, Indigenous, LGBTQ+)
- Proven capability and track record (even at pre-seed)
- Capital-efficient mindset
- Founders solving real problems with realistic approaches
- Both technical and non-technical founders welcome
Sector Preferences:
- Biotech and life sciences
- SaaS and enterprise software
- Technology and software development
- EdTech and future-of-work solutions
- Infrastructure and developer tools
What They Don't Invest In:
- Hardware (with rare exceptions)
- Consumer goods
- Food industry
- Companies with unrealistic valuations
Decision Process
Based on structure (2-person team with 1 general partner), Realist Ventures likely operates with a partnership-based decision model where both team members evaluate opportunities collaboratively, with Marie Rocha as founder having final authority. The firm emphasizes founder wellness and comprehensive support, suggesting a hands-on, relationship-based decision process rather than committee-driven.
Decision Timeline
No explicit public data on decision timeline, but based on pre-seed focus and early-stage investment pattern, likely 2-4 weeks for initial evaluation and term sheet, with flexibility for exceptional founders.
Warm Introduction Requirement
The firm lists "intro preferred" as the contact method across multiple platforms, suggesting warm introductions are strongly preferred but not absolutely required for exceptional deals. The firm is active in the ecosystem and regularly engages with founders through Realist Lab, accelerator programs, and network partners.
Typical Involvement
Based on portfolio company success and the nonprofit's comprehensive support model, Realist Ventures likely provides:
- Board participation: Likely board seat or observer status
- Operational support: Founder wellness, business skills training
- Network access: Connections to other portfolio companies, service providers, future investors
- Mentorship: Direct support from Marie Rocha (20+ years) and Joana Gutierrez (venture experience)
- Follow-on capital: Demonstrated through reserves for seed follow-ons
Competitive Advantages
- Founder Wellness Focus: Unique approach to supporting whole founder (not just product/market)
- Nonprofit Arm: Realist Lab provides pre-investment training and community
- Underrepresented Founder Network: Curated relationships with diverse talent
- Connecticut Location: First-mover advantage in overlooked markets
- Founder-Centric Pricing: Realistic valuations and anti-dilution support
Institutional Knowledge
- Marie Rocha recognized by major ecosystem organizations (Women Who Tech, Black Ambition, Venture Forward)
- Firm mentioned in Forbes' "51 VCs Who Want to Invest in Women, Black and Latinx Founders" (2020)
- Active supporter of entrepreneurship in underserved communities
- Growing media presence and thought leadership on inclusive VC
Sector Classification
Realist Ventures' portfolio spans biotech/life sciences, enterprise software, and consumer tech with particular emphasis on:
- Early-stage SaaS solutions
- Health tech and biotech
- EdTech and workforce development
- Infrastructure/developer tools
- Consumer platforms serving niche markets
Exit History
Two documented exits (6+ year holds):
- Career Karma acquired by Climb Credit (September 2025) - strategic acquisition
- Shipsi acquired September 2024 - strategic acquisition
Both exits suggest the firm's realistic approach to valuations and willingness to support companies through to strategic acquisition rather than demanding unicorn outcomes.