# Character

Character is a Private Equity based in Milwaukee, United States.

## Overview

- **Organization type:** Private Equity
- **Headquarters:** Milwaukee, United States
- **Region:** North America
- **Address:** Milwaukee, United States
- **Founded:** 2021
- **Assets under management:** $52 million
- **Website:** www.character.vc
- **LinkedIn:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/character

## Regulatory record

- **CRD number:** 313823
- **SEC file number:** 802-136058
- **Registration status:** Registered
- **Reports private funds:** Yes
- **IAPD record:** https://adviserinfo.sec.gov/firm/summary/313823

## About

Character is a boutique venture fund supporting founders with capital and sprints. We invest in frontier applications of software and use our proven sprint methods — including the Design Sprint and Foundation Sprint — to help technical founders find product-market fit fast.

## Sectors

- Enterprise Software
- AI/ML
- Digital Health
- FinTech
- ClimateTech

## People

- John Zeratsky — Co-Founder & General Partner
- Jake Knapp — Co-Founder & General Partner
- Eli Blee-Goldman — Co-Founder & General Partner
- Kristen Brillantes — Head of Programs & Community

## Questions

### Who runs investment decisions at Character?

Investment decisions are made by general partners Jake Knapp, John Zeratsky, and Eli Blee-Goldman, all co-founders. Kristen Brillantes heads programs and community. The firm does not disclose a formal investment committee (per firm website, 2026).

### What investment stages does Character typically target?

Character targets pre-seed and seed rounds, investing up to $2 million in core investments for 6–10% ownership. It also runs an accelerator, Character Labs, investing $150,000 for 5% ownership (per firm website, 2026).

### Does Character participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?

Character only makes direct investments into startups as a lead or co-lead in pre-seed and seed rounds. It does not commit to external funds or participate in secondaries (per firm website, 2026).

### What is Character's known posture on co-investments alongside external GPs?

Character does not have a published co-investment policy. Its model is to lead rounds directly, though past portfolio companies include co-investors such as Google Ventures (per firm website, 2026).

## Related profiles

- [Charente-Périgord Expansion](https://altss.com/profile/charente-p-rigord-expansion)

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Last updated: 2026-07-08T21:34:28.888Z

Canonical page: https://altss.com/profile/character

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