YC seed, before Demo Day
We invest ahead of Demo Day and help founders convert early momentum into strong seed rounds.
Spotlighting Clodo: How Sid Rajaram Turned a Painful Pivot into Rapid Growth
What happens when your original startup idea doesn't work? In this episode of 8Spotlight, we sit down with Sid Rajaram, co-founder of Clodo, to discuss the company's remarkable pivot from an AI assistant for real estate agents to an AI-powered platform that's redefining prospecting. Sid shares the candid story behind a challenging Y Combinator Demo Day, months spent in "cockroach mode," and the unexpected customer insight that transformed an internal tool into Clodo's core product. We explore how Clodo uses AI to identify high-intent prospects, personalize outreach, and help sales teams replace fragmented prospecting workflows with a smarter, signal-driven approach.
Featured Startups
Select portfolio companies we're excited to highlight from recent batches.
VCs Investing in Our Portfolio
Our portfolio companies have raised follow-on rounds from leading venture firms
Why us
- Pre–Demo Day access. We commit before the crowd, when speed and conviction matter most.
- Signal you can show. Weekly Spotlight creates investor pull and helps founders raise efficiently.
- Systematic process. Proprietary AI platform (vantedgeAI) for diligence, batch coverage, and portfolio monitoring — not gut-feel investing.
- LP co-invest access. Research notes, founder introductions, and the ability to co-invest directly in target startups pre-Demo Day.
- Founder‑friendly, clean terms. Optimized for speed and minimal distraction — we aim to be the first outside capital in each position.
For investors
Strategy: concentrated pre–Demo Day positions in standout YC startups; software‑first across AI, infra/devtools, fintech, and vertical SaaS.
Edge: systematic batch coverage, early references from builders and customers, and a public Spotlight that helps our companies raise efficiently.
Portfolio development: hands‑on Demo Day prep and targeted early customers; we aim to be the first outside capital in each position.
Reporting: monthly Spotlight, quarterly LP letters, and timely material updates.
Structure: standard seed terms; QSBS eligibility for qualifying positions (consult your tax advisor).
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Weekly YC batch intel and a handful of picks. Unsubscribe anytime.
