Stovell AI Systems

James Stovell, as founder and CIO, chairs the single investment committee that approves all deals. Managing Director Emily Carter sources and evaluates opportunities and presents recommendations to the committee. No external advisors or third-party managers are involved in deployment decisions.

The firm relies on direct relationships with founders, university spinout programs, and a network of angel investors rather than intermediary platforms. Stovell cites an average of 200 inbound opportunities per year, from which fewer than five receive term sheets.

The firm is structured as a family office — all capital comes from the Stovell family trust. It does not raise institutional limited partner capital, although it occasionally co-invests alongside select institutional co-investors on a deal-by-deal basis.

The firm focuses on Series A and B rounds, with a typical check size of $10 million to $50 million. It has made earlier seed investments in companies where the founder has a prior relationship, but Series A is its core stage.

Stovell explicitly avoids cryptocurrency, blockchain, fintech lending, and real estate. The firm's mandate is limited to deep technology — primarily artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and robotics where proprietary intellectual property creates a defensible moat.

The firm will co-invest alongside a small group of preferred external venture firms, including Index Ventures, LocalGlobe, and Accel, but only on deals where Stovell holds a board seat or information rights. The firm does not commit to fund vehicles.