New seed funds pursue AI, hard tech and the Midwest

So far this year, the relative turn-offs of

a

seed-stage investing seem to be outweighing the draws. Fewer North American seed funds launched in 2017 compared to year-ago levels, according to an analysis of Crunchbase data. Total investment and round counts are also down sharply over the past 12 months from the year-ago period for seed and angel deals, even as late-stage investment is on the rise.

So who are the brave souls venturing out with first-time seed funds? Crunchbase News culled through this year’s new fund data to unearth more than 30 interesting new U.S. and Canada-based funds. We identified some areas particularly in vogue with seed-stage newcomers, most of whom share a sense that the window for backing early movers in select areas will only be open a short time.

Some of the fashionable seed investment sectors should come as no surprise to anyone familiar with the buzz around artificial intelligence and virtual reality. Other trends were less predictable, including rising funding for some geographies long considered underserved by venture and angel investors.

https://techcrunch.com/2017/10/28/new-seed-funds-pursue-ai-hard-tech-and-the-midwest/