E11: Revitalizing American Innovation: How Mike Annunziata is Powering the Hard Tech Renaissance

This week, we’re joined by Mike Annunziata, Founder and General Partner of Also Capital, a $22M fund investing in the next generation of hard tech founders from pre-seed to Series B. Also Capital stands out by leading pre-seed rounds with checks up to $1M and reserving $500k-$1M for follow-on investments at seed and beyond with a mission to strengthen America’s leadership in transformative technology.

Mike’s background is as dynamic as it is impressive. He co-founded Farther Farms, a Series B startup revolutionizing shelf-stable fresh food technology, served as an institutional investor at Cornell University’s endowment fund, and holds a board seat at Varda. His venture capital journey began at Dorm Room Fund, giving him a well-rounded perspective that’s been instrumental in shaping the vision behind Also Capital.

In our conversation, Mike shares invaluable insights from his multifaceted career and reveals how each experience contributed to the foundation of Also Capital. Notably, 40% of the fund’s limited partners are institutional—a rare achievement for a solo GP managing a fund of this size. Mike credits this success to his genuine authenticity and transparency as a GP:

“Pitch the firm, not the fund. A fund is just a vehicle—your long-term vision is the firm.”

This shift in perspective moves the narrative from immediate returns to lasting impact: “We’re here to drive innovation forward” rather than “We’ll deliver strong returns.” Both are intertwined, but the distinction is powerful.

Mike’s track record reflects this long-term vision. He’s played a key role in raising over $250M for leading U.S. hard tech startups like Varda, K2, and Northwood, positioning him as a trusted partner and strategic advisor. His board role at Varda underscores his deep industry expertise and commitment to supporting transformative companies.

We’ve already said too much about this episode, but Mike’s insights into the future of innovation at the intersection of hardware and software are not to be missed. He firmly believes that engineers’ ingenuity will drive the next wave of technological progress in America, and he’s deeply invested in making that future a reality.

🎧 Coming next week: A deep dive with a customer success expert you won’t want to miss.

If you found Mike’s story compelling, repost this episode on LinkedIn or share it with a founder, investor, or hard tech enthusiast in your network. Let’s amplify these GPs working to back groundbreaking ideas together 📣

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