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Aura Innovation Fund
The Aura Innovation Fund identifies and invests in early-stage startups that are either led by an underrepresented group in the industry or solve a problem for...
Aura Innovation Fund
The Aura Innovation Fund identifies and invests in early-stage startups that are either led by an underrepresented group in the industry or solve a problem for a community at especially high risk of cybercrime. It directs hard-to-access capital to startups and founders who are often overlooked. Aura is investing in the future of digital safety and is committed to evolving this ecosystem ethically and sustainably.
General information
Firm type
Generalist
Year founded
2022
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Boston
Corporate office
Boston, MA, United States
Principals
Hari Ravichandran
Founder
Ryan Toohil
CTO, Aura
J.R. Tietsort
CISO, Aura
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at Aura Innovation Fund?
Founder Hari Ravichandran leads deal selection, supported by Aura's CTO Ryan Toohil and CISO J.R. Tietsort for technical due diligence. The fund does not employ a separate CIO or investment committee structure, which keeps decision-making tight but means deal capacity is limited by Ravichandran's bandwidth.
Does the fund participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?
The fund writes direct checks into seed and Series A companies, with no known LP commitments to outside venture funds. It prefers rounds where it can add value through Aura's engineering resources or customer base rather than passive allocations.
How is the fund related to Aura Cares and the Ravichandran Foundation?
Aura Cares and the Ravichandran Foundation are philanthropic entities separate from the investment fund, focused on digital safety education and community grants. They do not share an investment committee, and no portfolio companies appear to receive grants from either vehicle, maintaining a clear boundary between commercial and charitable capital.
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
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