Sound Ventures Targets $150M for Third Investment Fund
Sound Ventures, the venture capital firm co-founded by actor Ashton Kutcher and talent manager Guy Oseary, has filed regulatory paperwork indicating plans to raise $150 million for its third fund. This matches the amount secured for its second fund in 2018.
Fund Strategy and Focus Areas
While the firm hasn’t publicly commented on the new fundraising efforts, Sound Ventures has positioned itself as a stage-agnostic investor, capable of writing larger checks for later-stage opportunities. Despite Kutcher’s celebrity status, the firm has maintained a relatively low profile in recent years.
Key investment sectors for Sound Ventures include:
- Fintech (e.g., Robinhood)
- Enterprise solutions
- Govtech and Medtech infrastructure
- Sustainable businesses through its SOUNDWaves initiative
It remains unclear whether the new filing pertains to the main fund, the SOUNDWaves sustainability fund, or a combined strategy.
Portfolio Highlights and Recent Wins
The firm has seen notable successes in its portfolio:
- Bird, the micro-mobility startup in which Sound Ventures invested, is currently exploring a SPAC merger to go public.
- Root Insurance, an Ohio-based insurtech company, received strong market reception following its recent IPO.
Team Expansion and Strategic Hires
Sound Ventures has strengthened its team with key appointments:
- Effie Epstein: Former Marsh global strategy lead, now Managing Partner and COO
- Susan Su: Ex-Stripe growth marketing lead, joining as growth investor
- Katherine Keating: Former VICE Media and Maverick Management executive, serving as Chief Sustainability and Strategy Officer
These hires signal the firm’s evolution beyond consumer investments into more diversified tech sectors.
Kutcher’s Investment Philosophy
Kutcher has been vocal about his support for sustainable transportation alternatives, famously criticizing car culture during a 2018 TechCrunch Disrupt appearance. His tweet, “progress owes no apology #investor”, reflects his forward-looking investment approach.
As Sound Ventures prepares for its third fund, the firm appears poised to continue its track record of identifying disruptive technologies across multiple industries.
