John Frankel
Founding Partner·ff Venture Capital
Bio
Professional summary
John Frankel is the Founding Partner of ff Venture Capital. The firm’s team page and public profiles describe him as a technology investor focused on helping founders build large technology businesses. He founded ffVC in 2008 and has been active in seed and early-stage investing since the late 1990s. Public profiles also note prior experience at Goldman Sachs and a focus across applied AI, cybersecurity, drones, enterprise software, crowdfunding, data analytics, and financial technology. Because the official page was partially inaccessible during enrichment, details beyond the firm-page snippets are treated with medium confidence unless supported by additional public sources.
Investment focus
Stage, sector, and overall fit
Stage
Sector
Thesis
Notable companies
Selected portfolio companies the partner has backed
How to approach
Framing and angles for outreach
Pitch framing
Approach with a clear early-stage technology thesis, especially if the company fits applied AI, fintech, cybersecurity, robotics, drones, enterprise software, or data analytics.
Partneralization hooks
- 1Position the company as a category-building early-stage technology business.
- 2Highlight how the company could become a large business rather than only a feature or narrow product.
Recent signals
What the partner has said or done recently
Public profiles continue to identify him with ff Venture Capital and seed/early-stage technology investing.
Background
Career, education, and skills
Career history
- ff Venture CapitalFounding PartnerFeb 2008 - Present
- Goldman, Sachs & Co.Capital MarketsSep 1986 - Apr 2008
- Arthur Andersen & Co.Chartered AccountantJun 1982 - Sep 1986
Education
- New College, University of OxfordMA, Mathematics, Philosophy and Logic1979-1982
- University College SchoolSecondary
Skills
Other partners at ff Venture Capital
8 more profiles
Alex Katz
Partner and General Counsel
ff Venture Capital
ffVC partner and general counsel overseeing legal, finance, compliance, and investment processes.
Katie Weiss
Principal
ff Venture Capital
ffVC Principal leading due diligence, sourcing, AIPS and platform work.
Maciej Skarul
Partner, PL
ff Venture Capital
Partner at ff Venture Capital in Poland, with investment banking and M&A experience.
Mariusz Adamski
Partner, PL
ff Venture Capital
Partner at ff Venture Capital in Poland, focused on European operations, fundraising, and CEE investments.
Masayuki Ohta
Partner / JP
ff Venture Capital
ffVC Partner focused on CEE startups, Japan connectivity, technology and healthcare investing.
Michael J. Woods
Partner / US
ff Venture Capital
Public sources identify Michael J. Woods as associated with ff Venture Capital and as an investor/advisor with finance, venture, and infrastructure experience.
Oliver Mitchell
Partner
ff Venture Capital
Partner at ff Venture Capital focused on robotics, AI, drones, industrial automation, and climate tech.
Taro Hizume
Partner / JP
ff Venture Capital
ffVC Partner focused on CEE venture investing and Japan-Europe cross-border growth.