Velocity Venture Capital

Velocity sources primarily through the network effects of the I-80 corridor linking Sacramento, Davis, and the East Bay. Deal origination runs through three channels: university spin-outs from UC Davis, technology commercialization from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and companies founded by former Intel and Hewlett-Packard operating executives who reside in the region. Crawford and his venture partners maintain board seats and advisory relationships at the region's incubators and proof-of-concept centers.

The firm focuses on pre-Series A and Series A rounds with initial checks typically between $500,000 and $2 million. Velocity prefers to lead or co-lead rounds, and it explicitly reserves follow-on capital for portfolio companies that reach revenue milestones within 18 months of initial investment. The firm does not participate in seed-stage concept financings absent demonstrated customer traction.

Velocity does not invest in consumer internet, social media, ad-tech, or biotech therapeutics requiring FDA approval. The firm's technical due diligence leans toward companies with defensible engineering moats — intellectual property that can be validated by the national laboratory and university network it relies on for deal flow.

Velocity operates as a traditional venture capital partnership drawing limited partner capital from institutional investors and high-net-worth individuals, but its cost structure and portfolio economics are anchored in the Sacramento Valley. Portfolio companies pay engineering salaries and commercial leases materially below San Francisco benchmarks, which the firm argues creates a built-in margin of safety before factoring in execution risk.

Yes. Velocity regularly co-invests alongside Bay Area firms that lead rounds for I-80 corridor companies. The firm's role is often as the local partner who provides on-the-ground diligence and board presence for startups that larger Sand Hill Road funds want exposure to but cannot economically service from Menlo Park.

Jack Crawford Jr. is the founding General Partner of Velocity Venture Capital and a recognized figure in Sacramento's technology ecosystem. His public profile includes leadership roles in the Sacramento Angels and the Sacramento Regional Technology Alliance, positioning him as a central node for early-stage capital formation in the region. His investment career spans more than two decades in Northern California.

Velocity does not operate a separate philanthropic foundation, but it participates actively in the UC Davis Venture Catalyst program and the Sacramento Regional Innovation Awards, which function as ecosystem-building activities that support startup formation without taking equity positions.