The Jetstream

About The Jetstream

From a financial analyst's perspective, Jetstream is an early-stage venture capital firm demonstrating a clear and strategic focus on pre-seed startups. Founded in 2017 by Tommy Leep, the San Francisco-based firm operates with a core mission to support founders who are building companies that enable people to live healthier, wealthier, and more resilient lives.

Tommy Leep, a Stanford graduate and Silicon Valley native, began his venture capital career in 2011 as the first hire at Floodgate before gaining experience at firms like Haystack, AngelList, and the climate-focused Congruent Ventures. His journey involved a pivotal period of reflection after a layoff, which steered him away from generalist investing and toward climate technology, a sector where he saw both a significant market opportunity and a personal passion. This background informs Jetstream's investment thesis, which was solidified with the announcement of a $10 million fund in December 2022.

The firm's business model is centered on investing in pre-seed stage companies, typically with an initial check size of $250,000. Jetstream primarily targets software-based solutions focused on climate, sustainability, and biodiversity. Its investment strategy is not just about providing capital; the firm actively helps founders by providing access to a community of other founders and investors for customer introductions, strategic advice, and assistance with future fundraising rounds. The firm's revenue is generated through the standard venture capital model of management fees and carried interest on the returns of its fund.

Jetstream's service is to identify and back founders at the very beginning of their journey, making quick decisions and remaining accessible. The investment portfolio reflects its thesis, including startups like WattCarbon, which enables 24/7 carbon-free energy tracking; Skydio, a developer of autonomous flight technology; and Presto, a company focused on simplifying EV charging. By focusing on scalable software solutions that can be combined with sensors and AI, Jetstream positions itself to capitalize on the technology-driven shift toward a more sustainable global economy.