Defy VC
San Mateo, California · Invests in US · Website
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🔒 $•• – $••Thesis
Back exceptional entrepreneurs building enduring companies that defy expectations. Value authenticity and tenacity to turn daring ideas into lasting impact. One life-altering investment can lead to industry-wide transformation.
Likely not a fit for
No hype-chasing, inauthentic founders, or me-too businesses. Avoid founders lacking genuine conviction.
How they invest
- Lead or follow
- Usually leads
- Typical decision
- ~1 week
- Warm intro
- Preferred
- Involvement
- Takes a board seat
- Fund status
- Actively deploying
- Decision process
- Partnership vote
Partners & team
10 contacts on file
a•••@de•••.vc
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Unlocking the proteome to fuel a new era of scientific discovery
Perplexity is AI for people who expect more. Our products serve those whose questions spark change and whose decisions bend the world toward progress. We obsess over the details so our users can obsess over what comes next.
Not Diamond is the optimization layer for AI, helping frontier AI developer teams automatically improve agents, optimize prompts, and route queries across the constantly evolving model landscape.
VectorShift is an end-to-end AI automations platform that allows users to build, deploy, and manage AI applications with a no-code interface and robust SDK.
PuppyGraph is the first and only real-time, zero-ETL graph query engine that allows data teams to query existing relational data stores as a unified graph model, capable of scaling with petabytes of data and executing complex queries in seconds.
Synthpop is transforming healthcare processes by automating administrative tasks and enhancing patient care through AI solutions.
The Confederation of Real Estate Developers' Associations of India (CREDAI) is the apex body of private Real Estate developers in India, established in 1999, with a vision of transforming the landscape of Indian Real Estate industry and a mandate to pursue the cause of Housing and Habitat.
AI-Powered Security Monitoring Solution
Securly is dedicated to student safety and wellness, providing a range of solutions for schools including online monitoring, classroom management, and web filtering.
Capchase is reimagining B2B payments and financing, providing tools that enable faster, more predictable access to revenue for high-growth companies.
Arena Club is revolutionizing the collectibles market with its innovative digital card show, where collectors can buy, sell, and trade cards in a dynamic marketplace. The platform offers advanced features such as grading, authentication, secure vaulting, and digital pack openings, empowering users to create personalized online showrooms.
Recent activity
- May 2026
Champ AI
Seed · Investor
- Nov 2025
Interface
Seed · Lead
- Sep 2025
Birches Health
Series A
- Jul 2025
Reveal Technology
Series B · Investor
- Jan 2025
Not Diamond
Seed · Lead
- Dec 2024
Perplexity
Series A · Participated
- Nov 2024
VectorShift
Seed · Lead
Defy VC in the news
AlleyWatch
The Weekly Notable Startup Funding Report: 8/24/26
14 days ago
YourStory.com
AI-powered physical security startup Hakimo raises $12M
2 months ago
Top 20 Venture Capital Firms in San Mateo (2026)
8 months ago
Interface Raises $3.5M Seed Round
9 months ago
Reveal Technology Raises $30 Million Series B Led by Ballistic Ventures
Jul 2025
Exclusive: Crypto startup Nook raises $2.5 million from Coinbase Ventures, Defy.vc, and UDHC
Jun 2025
Exclusive: Crypto startup Nook raises $2.5 million from Coinbase Ventures, Defy.vc, and UDHC
Jun 2025
saastr.com
Meet 700+ VCs at SaaStr 2025!
May 2025
AI-based compliance platform bags $6 million Seed round
May 2025
Getting personal with Defy.vc’s Medha Agarwal
Nov 2024
Blockchain Solutions Startup Almanax Secures Pre-Seed Funding
Jun 2024
Detroit-based startup raises $6M from Michigan, California VCs
Apr 2024
February's Top Tech Deals: Hadrian, Lambda Labs, Magic.dev, Abridge & More
Feb 2024
Meet the 66 rising stars of venture capital, who shook up the industry in 2023
Nov 2023
Defy VC hires Agarwal as general partner, Yin as venture partner
Nov 2023
Defy.vc Welcomes Medha Agarwal as General Partner and Amy Yin as Venture Partner
Nov 2023
Skin care startup raises $6.2 million to fight hyperpigmentation
May 2023
Defy.vc Closes On $300M Fund To Fund The Gap At Pre-Series A Rounds
Jan 2023
Virtual Coaching Startup Perform Just Raised $1.2 Million From Defy.vc
Aug 2022
The most active VC investors in Q2 2021 are pumping the brakes
Jul 2022
Perfect Venue scores $3.6m seed
Apr 2022
Prominent venture capitalist leaves firm she co-founded for Apple
Aug 2021
The Funded: Trae Vassallo has left venture capital firm Defy to work for Apple
Aug 2021
GajiGesa, a fintech startup serving underbanked Indonesian workers, raises $2.5 million seed round
Feb 2021
Defy VC founder focuses on early stage deals as startups get pricier
Apr 2019
Defy Closes Oversubscribed $262 Million Fund to Invest in Early Stage Entrepreneurs
Apr 2019
Airspace Technologies Raises $20M in Series B Funding
Nov 2018
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Research briefRead more
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