Jeff Clavier

Jeff Clavier is a pioneering seed-stage venture capitalist, having founded Uncork Capital (originally SoftTech VC) in 2004, one of the earliest institutional seed funds in Silicon Valley. He has since overseen investments in over 280 companies, demonstrating a consistent ability to identify and support early-stage tech startups that have gone on to achieve significant success and exits, including Fitbit, Sendgrid, Eventbrite, Postmates, and Poshmark. uncorkcapital+5

With a strong background in technology, Jeff began his career as a developer and CTO at a fintech startup (Effix Systems) in France before transitioning into product development and leadership at Reuters Plc. His technical expertise provided a solid foundation for his later move into venture capital, where he served as a General Partner at Reuters' corporate venture fund (RVC Capital) before founding his own firm. uncorkcapital+2

Beyond his investment activities, Jeff is recognized for his contributions to the venture capital ecosystem, including a four-year term on the board of the National Venture Capital Association. He is a veteran of the Forbes Midas List and the CB Insights Top 100 VCs, underscoring his influence and success in the industry. uncorkcapital+3

Jeff combines a demanding professional life with personal interests, including a passion for wine, evident from his eclectic collection and a small wine project. He also maintains an active lifestyle, dedicating himself to logging 15,000 steps daily and engaging in activities like skiing, hiking, and strength training. uncorkcapital+1