Adam Piasecki
Senior Associate, Vertical AI
Primary Venture Partners
Vertical AI investor focused on robotics, physical AI and defense-adjacent software.
Bio
Professional summary
Jason Shuman is Partner, Vertical AI at Primary Venture Partners. His official thesis focuses on founder-built vertical AI and hardware networks that capture signals humans cannot see and convert them into autonomous systems with durable data moats. Before becoming an investor, he spent about a decade building and operating consumer and B2B companies. His profile also notes that he hosts Change Order, a podcast with more than 41,000 listeners, and was previously named to Forbes 30 Under 30.
Investment focus
Stage, sector, and overall fit
Stage
Series ASeries Cseed
Sector
vertical AIhardware-enabled networksconstruction technologyproptechhealthcare technology
Thesis
vertical AI systemsautonomous systems with durable data moatsAI for complex traditional industries
Notable companies
Selected portfolio companies the partner has backed
BobyardCardinalArch
How to approach
Framing and angles for outreach
Pitch framing
Lead with a specific vertical workflow where proprietary data, hardware signals, or embedded distribution can create an AI-native system incumbents cannot easily copy. He is likely most relevant when a founder can show deep domain understanding and a path from workflow wedge to durable data moat.
Personalization hooks
- 1Reference his thesis on vertical AI replacing legacy software in traditional industries.
- 2Connect the pitch to durable data moats rather than generic AI automation.
- 3Mention Change Order if the company has a strong company-building or operating-tactics story.
Recent signals
What the partner has said or done recently
Hosts Change Order, a podcast on tactics behind breakout companies, with 41K+ listeners according to his official profile.
Primary's official profile lists 2023 and 2022 investments in vertical AI-related companies including Bobyard and Cardinal.
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