Roadster Capital

Profile

Roadster Capital is a seed fund based in Portland, Oregon, that invests in deep tech companies addressing automation, security, and sustainability challenges within the American industrial sector. The firm was founded to contribute to the re-industrialization of the United States by supporting engineering-driven founders. Ryan Else, the General Partner, is joined by a small and specialized team that applies an engineering-first underwriting approach to investments, emphasizing technical defensibility, manufacturing feasibility, and capital pathway clarity.

Roadster Capital focuses on the pre-seed and seed stages, specifically targeting sectors such as automation, security, sustainability, advanced computing, and applied AI. The firm typically invests across North America with an aim to scale critical infrastructure solutions. Although the firm has a $5 million fund, it partners with a concentrated group of LPs and aligned co-investors sharing a long-term view of industrial innovation.

The firm’s notable investments include companies involved in defense manufacturing, maritime and logistics electrification, AI-driven industrial automation, and semiconductor tooling. These portfolio companies are recognition of Roadster Capital's commitment to building enduring industrial businesses that modern economies rely on.