Updated:
Storytime Capital
Storytime Capital, founded by Neil Grunberg and Ryan Kimel, invests a C$17.5m debut fund globally in pre-seed and seed-stage future-of-work startups.
Storytime Capital
Storytime Capital was founded in Toronto by Neil Grunberg and Ryan Kimel to target the evolving landscape of work. The firm operates its inaugural vehicle from Canada, deploying capital into companies that are redefining how people work, lead and build. The thesis draws on the founders' combined experience as operators and investors in enterprise technology. The firm writes pre-seed and seed checks globally, with a portfolio spanning Canada, the United States, Israel and Australia. Storytime backs software platforms that address hiring, workplace productivity, mental health and enterprise procurement. Confirmed positions include HireEZ, an AI-driven hiring experience platform, and Alva Labs, a workforce design platform based in Australia. The manager also holds stakes in Shield, an AI agent for customer support, and Patent Bridge, an AI-powered patent management tool. The geographic mix reflects a sourcing model that leans on a 50-person Venture Advisor Network — a group of current and former operators, founders and investors across SaaS and future-of-work sectors. The firm disclosed its C$17.5m inaugural fund with a global mandate. Its advisory network includes executives such as Sam Duboc, a veteran Canadian entrepreneur, and Carole Piovesan, co-founder of INQ Law. No subsequent fund announcements have been made. The team maintains a lean core with Grunberg, Kimel and Venture Partner Lauren Epstein driving investment decisions. Deal flow is supported by advisors with deep roots in enterprise SaaS, including former leaders from Shopify, Wealthsimple and other Canadian tech anchors. Storytime Capital operates as a sector-focused emerging manager rather than a broad venture platform. Its structural differentiator lies in the depth of its advisory bench relative to fund size: the 50-member network provides portfolio companies with an unusual density of go-to-market, product and scaling expertise for a sub-$20m vehicle. The firm's website presents this network as a core asset, framing it as a built-in operating resource for founders navigating the future-of-work landscape.
General information
Firm type
Private Equity
Year founded
—
AUM
Undisclosed
Location
Region
North America
Country
Canada
City
Toronto
Corporate office
Toronto, Canada
Principals
Neil Grunberg
Co-Founder & Managing Partner
Ryan Kimel
Co-Founder & Managing Partner
Lauren Epstein
Venture Partner
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at Storytime Capital?
Co-Founders Neil Grunberg and Ryan Kimel lead investment decisions alongside Venture Partner Lauren Epstein. The firm's website presents a flat structure with the two managing partners at the top. The broader Venture Advisor Network, while extensive, is described as a supporting resource rather than a formal investment committee.
How does Storytime Capital source proprietary deal flow?
Storytime Capital leans on a 50-person Venture Advisor Network composed of former and current operators, founders and investors across enterprise SaaS and future-of-work sectors. Advisors include figures like Sam Duboc and Carole Piovesan, providing reach into Canadian, US and Israeli startup ecosystems. This network functions as an extended sourcing and diligence resource for the small core team.
Does Storytime Capital participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?
Based on the portfolio listed on the firm's website, Storytime Capital exclusively makes direct pre-seed and seed-stage investments. There is no mention of fund-of-fund commitments or secondary investments. The disclosed portfolio consists entirely of direct stakes in operating companies.
What investment stages does Storytime Capital typically target?
The firm explicitly targets pre-seed and seed-stage companies, as stated on its website's homepage and strategy materials. The portfolio reflects this focus, with companies like HireEZ and Patent Bridge fitting the early-stage, enterprise-software profile. No later-stage or growth-equity investments appear in the current portfolio.
Which sectors does Storytime Capital explicitly avoid?
Storytime Capital does not publish a list of avoided sectors. Its mandate centers on the future of work, which the portfolio shows includes enterprise SaaS, AI-driven productivity, digital health and HR technology. The firm does not appear to invest in hard tech, climate, biotech or consumer goods, though it has not publicly excluded these areas.
Where does Storytime Capital's underlying capital come from?
The source of the C$17.5m inaugural fund's capital has not been publicly disclosed. The firm does not name limited partners or reference a wealth-origin story on its website. In the absence of disclosure, the LP base remains private.
Does Storytime Capital maintain philanthropic structures or separate foundations?
There is no public mention of a philanthropic foundation, donor-advised fund or social-impact vehicle associated with Storytime Capital or its principals. The firm's online presence is limited to its venture investment activities.
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.
Need institutional-grade insight on family offices?
Altss delivers:
Prefer a guided tour?
We’ll walk you through: