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Inception - Early Stage Investing

Picks and Shovels

Investing in non-consensus companies before they become consensus

Reach outSourcing

Network

Backed by

Operators and GPs who diligence deals and open doors when it matters.

Process

Sourcing

Markets first, then founders.

  1. 01

    Meet companies because of the market

    • No “arms race” deals — avoid commoditized spaces
    • Primarily areas investors aren’t focused on right now
  2. 02

    Invest in companies because of the founder

    • Truly domain experts
    • Don’t need hands-on help
  3. 03

    Invest before there’s a lead investor

    • Aim to introduce the lead investor

Companies

Portfolio

* = angel investment

Thesis

Current areas of interest

As of August 24, 2026

Founders

Building something non-consensus?

Reach out if you’re deep in-domain, don’t need hand-holding, and are raising before a lead is locked.

josh@picksandshovelsvc.com