Founders Future Expands to San Francisco, Strengthens Focus on AI-Driven Investments

Founders Future Opens a New Office in San Francisco

In a significant move to bolster its operations, Founders Future has opened a new office at the iconic One Ferry Building in San Francisco. This expansion is designed to solidify relationships between the European and American innovation ecosystems and to expedite the emergence of AI-native leaders in the tech industry.

Founded with a mission to support the next generation of global tech champions, Founders Future is an investment platform that aims to facilitate the growth of startups across continents. The new San Francisco office is an embodiment of this mission, enabling better support for European scale-ups looking to establish themselves in the U.S. market, as well as assisting American AI-focused founders eager to expand in Europe.

As part of this strategic initiative, two key figures, Dulcie fforde and Jonathan Karlson, have joined the Founders Future team to oversee investment strategies and enhance the firm’s presence in the U.S. market. Under their leadership, the San Francisco office has already managed to complete two successful deals, marking a promising start to its operations.

Leadership and Vision

Dulcie fforde, who has been appointed as a Principal, brings a wealth of experience with her background in both operation and investment. Having previously contributed to investments in notable companies like Airbnb and Nubank, fforde has hands-on experience with fast-growing startups, having also worked with Homebound and Uber. Her expertise in the Silicon Valley ecosystem makes her a perfect fit to lead AI and consumer investments for Founders Future.

Meanwhile, Jonathan Karlson joins as a Senior Associate, bringing a strong foundation in venture capital from his time at ICONIQ Capital and BlackRock. With a focus on early-stage analysis and building synergies between transatlantic operations, his addition is expected to enhance the firm’s analytics capabilities and strategic outreach.

Future Growth Plans

Looking ahead, Founders Future aims to increase its assets under management to €1 billion by executing its transatlantic mission of supporting visionary founders. The firm plans to launch a dedicated growth fund in 2026 that will further emphasize its commitment to investing in AI-driven ventures across both continents. Additional hiring is anticipated in crucial areas such as growth strategies, investor relations, and operations to align with this ambitious goal.

In remarks regarding this strategic expansion, Marc Menasé, the Founding Partner of Founders Future, expressed his vision, stating, "Our ambition is to build an international investment platform that supports visionary founders wherever they are. By connecting Europe and the U.S. with an AI-first approach, we are executing our transatlantic mission and backing the next generation of global tech champions."

Conclusion

The opening of the San Francisco office marks a significant milestone for Founders Future as it seeks to integrate its operations and create a robust network between European and American tech landscapes. As the firm ramps up its efforts to identify and invest in groundbreaking AI-first companies, it is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of technology on both sides of the Atlantic.