# Drive Capital

Drive Capital is a Private Equity based in Columbus, United States.

## Overview

- **Organization type:** Private Equity
- **Headquarters:** Columbus, United States
- **Region:** North America
- **Address:** Columbus, OH, United States
- **Founded:** 2012
- **Assets under management:** $2B
- **Website:** www.drivecapital.com
- **LinkedIn:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/drivecapital
- **Wikidata:** Q16992071

## Regulatory record

- **Reports private funds:** No

## About

Drive is a Columbus-based venture capital firm investing in the world's next generation of market-defining companies. Since its inception in 2013, the firm has raised $2B+ of funds to invest in startups solving important problems in large markets. Drive is an investor in more than 80 companies outside of Silicon Valley, including Duolingo, Path Robotics, Forge Biologics, Branch, Hallow, ApplyBoard, Olive, and Greenlight.

## Sectors

- AI/ML
- Enterprise Software
- FinTech
- Digital Health
- Cybersecurity
- Robotics & Automation
- Healthcare Services
- InsurTech
- EdTech
- Mobility & Transportation
- AgriTech & FoodTech
- Energy Transition & Renewables
- Media & Entertainment

## People

- Adam Pollack • Partner
- Alanna Souza • Toronto Seed GM
- Ashton Sullivan • Software Engineer
- Avoilan Bingham • Atlanta Seed GM
- Brandon Mills • Dir of Engineering
- Brienne Einstein • Fund Controller
- Brittany Gorno • Front Desk Admin
- Cameron Clarke • Partner
- Cara Lawrence • Talent Partner
- Chris Olsen • Partner
- Chuck Bryant — PhD • Data Scientist
- Collin Cayse • Talent Partner
- Isabel Chirase Walch • Head of Finance
- John Volquez • Partner
- Katie Grady • Executive Assistant
- Kayce Thompson • Talent Partner
- Kelsey Perkins • Executive Assistant
- Keru Omad • Chicago Receptionist and Office Manager
- Landon Campbell • Chicago Seed GM
- Maria Moore • Talent Partner
- Masha Khusid • Partner
- MC Mikolay • Investor Relations
- Meredith Mills • Talent Partner
- Molly Bonakdarpour • Partner
- Morgan Burch • Executive Assistant

## Questions

### What is Drive Capital's geographic investment focus?

Drive Capital invests across the United States and Canada, with a deliberate emphasis on cities outside traditional coastal venture hubs. Portfolio companies are concentrated in the Midwest, Southeast, Texas, Colorado and Ontario, including Columbus, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Austin, Denver, Minneapolis, Toronto and others. The firm believes world-class technology companies can be built in these markets where talent and customers already reside.

### Which investment stages does Drive Capital target?

Drive Capital pursues a broad stage mandate spanning seed, startup, early-stage, expansion and late-stage venture capital. The firm describes its approach as 'Idea to IPO' and enters across the company lifecycle. Investments range from initial formation rounds to growth-stage financings for scaled businesses.

### Does Drive Capital lead rounds or participate as a co-investor?

Drive Capital positions itself as a concentrated, conviction-led investor that can lead or co-lead rounds. The firm emphasizes deep operating partnership and long-term commitment rather than passive participation, though specific round structures vary by company and stage.

### Which sectors does Drive Capital explicitly invest in?

The firm's portfolio organizes around artificial intelligence, healthcare, fintech, cybersecurity, future of work, robotics, edtech and content verticals. Over 80 portfolio companies span these categories, with no publicly stated sector exclusions beyond what the partnership's expertise covers.

### How does Drive Capital source deals differently from coastal venture firms?

Drive anchors its own headquarters in Columbus, Ohio, and pursues founders building where they already live and hire, rather than requiring relocation to Silicon Valley or New York. This on-the-ground presence in non-coastal markets generates deal flow through local networks, operator relationships and reference checks concentrated in regions many firms visit only sporadically.

### What notable exits or public companies has Drive Capital backed?

Two prominent portfolio companies that have gone public are Duolingo, the language-learning platform, and Root Inc, the auto insurer. Both completed their IPOs during a period of heightened market activity for technology offerings. Other positions remain private across sectors including AI infrastructure, robotics, digital health and fintech.

## Related profiles

- [Dovetail Investment Group](https://altss.com/profile/dovetail-investment-group)
- [Driven Capital Partners](https://altss.com/profile/driven-capital-partners)

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Last updated: 2026-08-11T15:06:35.052Z

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