Kevin Hartz is a rare venture investor who co-founded and took two companies public (Xoom and Eventbrite) before launching A* Capital, giving him firsthand experience building companies from seed through IPO. He has a track record of backing category-defining consumer platforms like PayPal, Airbnb, Pinterest, and Uber early, and actively seeks out very young founders including teenagers who show exceptional company-building talent before they fit standard investor patterns.

• A strong focus on applied artificial intelligence and simulation technologies. Active investments include Simile AI for simulating society and Vybe as a platform for AI-native teams.
• Interest in deep tech and hardware innovation, specifically in robotics and defense. Highlights include backing Mach Industries and co-founding Sauron Systems to revolutionize home security through hardware.
• Appreciation for extreme founder grit and obsession. Equates crowded workspaces and intense dedication to high-potential companies, noting that the best startups often have rodent infestations because builders spend all their time eating and sleeping at the office.
• Enthusiasm for autonomous transportation and the end of traditional car ownership. Frequently discusses the inevitable shift to electric robotaxis in cities like San Francisco and personal use of air mobility services like Joby Aviation.
• Openness to unconventional and creative pitch formats. Encouraged founders to build playable versions of their ideas or pixel-art pitch simulators to demonstrate market size and moats rather than using standard decks.
• Support for simplifying complex financial and crypto infrastructure. Invested in Klyra to remove the friction and headaches associated with navigating exchanges and market makers.
• Bullish perspective on youth and raw talent in the startup ecosystem. Noted a trend of fifteen and sixteen-year-olds joining founding teams of high-growth companies.