Runtime Ventures announced a $32 million debut fund in April 2025 to invest in early-stage cybersecurity startups, including pre-seed and seed-stage companies. The firm says it pairs capital with founder mentorship and practical help from a network of cybersecurity founders and operators.
What is Runtime Ventures?
Runtime Ventures is a cybersecurity-focused investment firm co-founded by general partners David Endler and Michael Sutton. Its April 2025 announcement described a $32 million debut fund, while the firm’s website describes its focus as seed-stage cybersecurity investing and founder mentorship.
The firm describes its investment reach as global. Its stated emphasis is cybersecurity companies at the pre-seed and seed stages, rather than a broad mandate across technology sectors.
How much did Runtime Ventures raise, and what are its reported check sizes?
Runtime announced a $32 million debut fund on April 2, 2025. The Business Wire announcement reproduced by Citybiz and Dark Reading’s April 3, 2025 report both give that fund size. Michael Sutton later said Fund I had formally closed at $32 million.
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Dark Reading reported that Runtime’s deal sizes ranged from $250,000 to $2 million. The report does not divide that range by funding stage, and it should be understood as a range reported in 2025—not a guarantee of current check sizes or terms for any particular company.
Who founded Runtime Ventures?
Endler and Sutton bring cybersecurity company and operating experience to the firm. Dark Reading identifies Endler as a co-founder of SpyCloud and Jumpshot, and Sutton as a former security leader at Zscaler and co-founder of StoneMill Ventures.
The partners have described an active role in working with founders. Sutton said, “We regularly invest pre-revenue.” Endler said, “We love companies that give us homework, gives us things to do.” These remarks signal a willingness to engage with companies early and help on concrete needs, not just provide funding.
What support does Runtime say it offers founders?
Beyond capital, Runtime describes support that includes mentorship, introductions to potential partners and customers, and help hiring experienced professionals. Its website also presents founder mentorship as part of its seed-stage cybersecurity focus.
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The firm’s model draws on its investor network as well. Dark Reading reported that Runtime’s investor base included 26 founders, 61 cybersecurity operators, 18 CEOs, and three public companies. Those categories may overlap; the report does not state that they are mutually exclusive.
In his later account of Fund I’s formal close, Sutton said limited partners contributed to deal flow, due diligence, and portfolio mentoring. That suggests the network is intended to be useful to portfolio companies as well as a source of capital.
How many investments has Runtime made?
Dark Reading reported in April 2025 that Runtime had made 11 investments since the firm’s inception in January 2023. Sutton also reported 11 investments when he announced Fund I’s formal close. These are announcement-era figures; the available sources do not establish a current portfolio count.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What should founders take away?
- Relevant fit: Runtime’s stated focus is early-stage cybersecurity, with its website emphasizing seed-stage companies and its fund announcement also covering pre-seed.
- Early-company appetite: Sutton said the firm regularly invests before revenue, but that statement does not promise an investment or establish a specific qualification threshold.
- Potentially hands-on help: The firm describes mentorship, hiring assistance, and introductions to partners and customers as part of its support.
- Terms require a direct conversation: The reported $250,000–$2 million deal-size range is from 2025 and is not broken down by round stage.
Runtime’s website continues to describe its seed-stage cybersecurity focus, but the sources cited here do not establish whether the firm has announced a later fund. Runtime Ventures’ website is the firm’s own source for its current general description.
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