Story Ventures Research
Investment Thesis
Story Ventures invests in the building blocks of automated systems, starting with the very first check. Founded in 2016 by Jake and Brian Yormak, the firm focuses on the data automation ecosystem—investing across three integrated layers: sensory systems (data capture), data processing (organization and structure), and machine intelligence (applications and decision-making).
Their core belief is that "the future of data automation is unwritten, we back the authors." Story believes the most impactful problems require the most innovative solutions, and they specifically invest in founders pursuing audacious, challenging businesses that solve complex real-world problems through data-driven innovation.
Investment Focus Areas
Story Ventures operates across a thematic framework spanning three distinct but interconnected layers:
1. Sensory Systems
The digitization of real-world data through hardware and software forms the foundation of machine intelligence. Story invests in companies capturing proprietary data through:
- Industrial automation and manufacturing (e.g., viaPhoton: fiber cables for AI data centers)
- Healthcare sensors and monitoring (e.g., Inspiren: AI-powered nurse assistants, Aether: biosignal processing for prosthetics)
- Computer vision systems (e.g., Nanit: AI baby monitors, True Footage: property-level real estate data)
- Mobile and IoT data capture (e.g., Empo Health: in-home diabetic monitoring)
2. Data Processing
Middleware systems that organize, aggregate, cleanse, and structure disparate data to create usable intelligence:
- Healthcare data integration (e.g., Particle Health: EMR data aggregation)
- Transportation and logistics (e.g., Motorq: connected vehicle data analytics, Freightwaves: freight intelligence)
- Financial services (e.g., Prism Data: transaction-based risk scoring)
- Data security and compliance (e.g., Polymer: sensitive data leakage prevention)
3. Machine Intelligence
Complex applications leveraging newly accessible data to automate decision-making:
- AI-powered decision platforms (e.g., NewtonX: expert identification via AI graph, Delfina: pregnancy predictive analytics)
- Business process automation (e.g., Bops: supply chain analytics, Sheer Health: health insurance benefits optimization)
- Generative AI applications (e.g., Muse: AI video editing and search)
- Healthcare and financial applications (e.g., Wellory: nutrition care access, Jiko: treasury bill access)
Stage Focus
Story primarily invests at the earliest stages:
- Pre-Seed: Early-stage founders with initial traction
- Seed: Companies with working product and initial customers
- Series A: Follow-on investments in successful portfolio companies
The firm is known for being comfortable with investing from "the very first check," indicating a strong early-stage focus.
Check Size & Fund Details
Based on portfolio analysis and firm positioning:
- Typical check size: $500K - $5M
- Fund size: Estimated $200-300M AUM
- As of November 2025: 37 portfolio companies with 4 new investments in the last 12 months
- Latest investment: November 2025 (Parable - business software)
- Fund status: Actively deploying
Portfolio Overview
Story has invested in 37+ companies across healthcare, logistics, fintech, AI/ML infrastructure, and enterprise software:
Healthcare & Life Sciences (12+ companies):
- Particle Health, Inspiren, Aether, Wellory, Zaya Care, Sheer Health, Brooklyn Health, Empo Health, Livez, Aware Healthcare, Nemedio, ProCode
Data Processing & Analytics (9+ companies):
- Motorq, Prism Data, Freightwaves, Polymer, Smile Identity, The Builder AI, Bops, Delfina, Polymer
Machine Intelligence & AI (12+ companies):
- NewtonX, Muse, Delfina, True Footage, Bops, Sheer Health, Brooklyn Health, Livez, IntuitiveMotion.AI, Jiko, Mercado, Summer
Infrastructure & Hardware (4+ companies):
- viaPhoton, Nanit, Phood, Empo Health
Fintech & Financial Services (3+ companies):
- Jiko, Prism Data, Petal (alternative credit scoring)
Other (5+ companies):
- ApplePie Capital, Aspireship, Stae (municipality data), Pinn (biometric security), Sayspring (voice prototyping)
Team
Jake Yormak, General Partner
- Focus: Data usability and human-technology interaction design
- Background: Former lawyer with legal and regulatory expertise in data ecosystems
- Known for helping companies navigate complex data compliance challenges
Brian Yormak, General Partner
- Focus: Hardware-software integration and data capture innovation
- Specializes in mobility and logistics investing
- Deep interest in transportation of people and goods
- Background: Long-term relationship building with frontier technology founders
Gagan Chawla, Chief Financial Officer
- 15+ years in financial reporting, investor relations, and tax compliance
- Oversees day-to-day finance, legal, and back-office operations
- Trusted partner to GPs, investors, and founders
- Fosters culture of long-term thinking and doing right by LPs and founders
Supporting Team:
- Weronika Stefańczyk: Executive Associate & Office Manager
- Jenna Witten: Investor Relations, Fundraising, and Organization Structure
Decision Process
Story operates as a partnership structure with two General Partners (Jake and Brian Yormak) making investment decisions. The firm employs a thematic investment approach, requiring deep sector expertise and long-term relationships with founders.
Geographic Focus
Primarily United States-based, with headquarters in New York City (54 West 21st Street, #1008). Portfolio companies span US and some international locations.
Investment Philosophy & Anti-thesis
What They Like:
- Audacious, challenging business models solving complex problems
- Technical founders with deep domain expertise
- Proprietary data moats
- Companies building across multiple layers of the data stack
- Founders pursuing lasting impact
What They Avoid:
- (Not explicitly stated, but implied from portfolio focus)
- Non-technical teams
- Simple consumer applications
- Mature/late-stage companies
Recent Activity (2025)
As of November 2025, Story Ventures is actively deploying from current fund with 4 new investments in the past 12 months. Notable recent investments include companies in business software, AI applications, and data infrastructure.
Co-Investment Partners & Network
Based on portfolio analysis, Story appears to work with other early-stage focused VCs and likely co-invests with firms specializing in technical infrastructure and healthcare technology.
Communication & Access
Story Ventures maintains active engagement through:
- Investment thesis blog and journal articles
- Quarterly insights and founder education
- Warm introductions through network
- Contact: [email protected]
Summary
Story Ventures is a highly specialized, thesis-driven early-stage VC fund focused on the data automation ecosystem. With a decade of investing experience and a portfolio of 37+ companies, the firm demonstrates deep expertise in sourcing and scaling frontier technology companies that operate across sensory systems, data processing, and machine intelligence. Their hands-on partnership approach and long-term focus make them an ideal partner for technical founders building proprietary data solutions.