Our thesis
AI-native from day one
Most companies are adding AI to an existing model. We back the ones where AI is the model. There's a meaningful difference — and it determines everything about how a company scales, compounds, and defends itself.
AI-native vs AI-enabled
AI-enabled companies use AI tools to do existing work faster. AI-native companies are built around AI as their primary operating capability — their unit economics, their moat, and their team structure all assume AI at the core.
- The company couldn't operate at its current scale without AI
- AI decisions are in the critical path, not supporting it
- The founder has thought through the AI failure modes
- Data accumulation is a feature, not a by-product
The test we apply
If you removed the AI layer from this company, would it still work? If yes, it's AI-enabled. If the answer is 'we'd have to rebuild everything', that's AI-native.
Why this cohort, why now
The first wave of AI-native companies is being built right now. The founders who started building in 2024–2026 will define the category. This is the window — and it closes.
- Foundation models are commodity infrastructure now
- Agentic operating patterns are proven but not yet replicated at scale
- Distribution advantages compound early — first-movers get the data
- Regulatory frameworks are still forming — incumbents are slower to move
Our edge
We sourced our first deal through the Stratafy operator network — a founder already running their company on Stratafy infrastructure. That's the funnel we're building.
We also originate companies
Alongside backing external founders, Stratafy Ventures runs a studio model — we identify high-conviction theses, find the right operators, and originate companies from scratch. Ledgerloop is the first proof of this model.
- Thesis identified before founder recruited
- Operator onboarded onto full Stratafy infrastructure from day one
- Studio provides fractional operating support during origination
- Portco proven before external capital is raised
First studio company
Ledgerloop — AI-native finance operations for professional services firms — was originated inside the studio. The operator was recruited to the thesis, not the other way around.
What we don't back
Being opinionated about what we won't do is as important as the thesis itself.