Charles Hudson
Managing Partner at Precursor Ventures, early-stage VC, Stanford lecturer
chudson
San Francisco, California
49.6K connections
Joined May 2025
Summary
Charles Hudson is a highly experienced early-stage venture capitalist and founder, leading Precursor Ventures since 2015. He focuses on investing in the first institutional rounds of promising software and hardware companies, spanning B2B, B2C, and connected hardware sectors, and is known for investing in people over product. precursorvc+3
With a strong background in technology and business development, Charles held key roles at major tech companies like Google, IronPort Systems (acquired by Cisco), and Serious Business (acquired by Zynga). His diverse experience includes product management and business development in mobile, advertising, and e-commerce. stanford+1
Beyond traditional venture capital, Charles brings a unique perspective from his time at In-Q-Tel, the CIA's strategic venture capital group, where he identified investment opportunities that delivered value to both national security and commercial markets. stanford+2
He is an active contributor to the venture capital ecosystem, serving as Board Chair for the National Venture Capital Association and lecturing at Stanford University's Graduate School of Business on entrepreneurship. He also shares his insights through his Substack, 'Venture Reflections,' and a podcast, 'The Learning Corner by Precursor Ventures.' nvca+3
Charles is also a founder himself, having co-founded and served as CEO of Bionic Panda Games, an Android-focused mobile gaming startup. This direct entrepreneurial experience deeply informs his investment philosophy and understanding of the startup journey. stanford+1
His expertise extends to defining and understanding the nuances of early-stage funding, particularly pre-seed rounds. He recognizes the evolving landscape of venture capital, adapting investment strategies to support companies from their earliest stages, often before significant revenue or traction. acquired
Work
Education
Writing
Uncomfortable and Unanswered Questions I Have as an AI Investor
May 1, 2025Article sharing thoughts on the near-term impacts of AI on white-collar work and his perspective as an AI investor.
The Learning Corner by Precursor Ventures
December 1, 2024A weekly podcast co-hosted with a colleague discussing articles and podcasts relevant to their firm and the venture capital industry.
Venture Reflections
A personal blog where Charles Hudson shares his reflections on the startup and venture capital ecosystems.
Hobbies
Passionate fan of football clubs Chelsea FC and LAFC, as well as the Detroit Lions and all things Michigan. nitter
Enjoys reading non-fiction in his free time. startupgrind
Notes
LJLeon Jonsaid
CHCharles Hudson
is one of the most effective senior leaders they've worked with in the tech industry.Dec 9, 2025
MVMonica Villarsaid
CHCharles Hudson
is one of the most respected angel or early-stage investors they've seen back AI SaaS startups.Dec 2, 2025
TKTim Kendallsaid they've seen
CHCharles Hudson
add significant value to startup founders as a venture investor.Nov 29, 2025
THTammy Hansaid
CHCharles Hudson
is one of the most respected senior venture capital professionals they've worked with.Nov 11, 2025
ALAliya Lakhanisaid
CHCharles Hudson
is one of the most respected General Partners or Limited Partners they've worked with.Nov 3, 2025
DGDhruv Ghulatisaid that if they were starting a new investment fund,
CHCharles Hudson
would be among their top choices as a General Partner or Limited Partner.Nov 1, 2025
BCBlaine Casanavesaid they've seen
CHCharles Hudson
make particularly strong investment decisions as a venture GP.Oct 27, 2025
SPStephanie Palmerisaid that if they were building a founding team,
CHCharles Hudson
would be among their top picks for a VC investor.Oct 23, 2025
OMOren Michelssaid they've seen
CHCharles Hudson
make investments that had a significant positive impact on portfolio companies.Oct 22, 2025
JTJohn Taylor Garnersaid they've seen
CHCharles Hudson
make investments that had a significant positive impact on portfolio companies.Oct 22, 2025
RCRachel Chalmerssaid
CHCharles Hudson
is one of the most thoughtful and effective venture capital investors they've worked with.Oct 22, 2025
CWCheck Warnersaid that if they were seeking a partner at a VC fund to back their company,
CHCharles Hudson
would be one of their top picks.Oct 16, 2025
DKDavid Kayesaid they've seen
CHCharles Hudson
play a pivotal role in early-stage investing as a General Partner.Oct 14, 2025
SPStephanie Palmerisaid they've seen
CHCharles Hudson
play a pivotal role in early-stage investing as a General Partner.Oct 14, 2025
AFAmy Franceticsaid
CHCharles Hudson
is one of the most respected venture investors they've interacted with.Oct 9, 2025
TATomer Aharonisaid that if they were launching a startup at the pre-seed or seed stage,
CHCharles Hudson
would be one of their top choices as an investor.Oct 6, 2025
DKDavid Kayesaid
CHCharles Hudson
is one of the most approachable and helpful partners they've interacted with at any of these funds.Oct 3, 2025
BRBryan Rosenblattsaid that if they wanted to get a warm intro to a partner at one of these funds,
CHCharles Hudson
would be among their top choices to reach out to.Oct 3, 2025
RCRachel Chalmerssaid they've seen
CHCharles Hudson
play a key role in sourcing or closing promising early-stage investments.Sep 26, 2025
RCRachel Chalmerssaid that if they were founding a new company,
CHCharles Hudson
would be among their top choices for a VC investor.Sep 26, 2025
TTTJ Taylorsaid they would be especially excited to have
CHCharles Hudson
on their cap table as a seed investor.Sep 8, 2025
ALAliya Lakhanisaid
CHCharles Hudson
is one of the most supportive early-stage investors they've come across.Sep 2, 2025
RCRachel Chalmerssaid they've seen
CHCharles Hudson
make exceptional investment decisions or show impressive leadership at their VC fund.Aug 27, 2025
MMMike Mettlersaid
CHCharles Hudson
is one of the sharpest seed investors they've met when it comes to fintech, consumer, or AI companies.Aug 10, 2025
SGShai Goldmansaid they've seen
CHCharles Hudson
make a big positive difference for early consumer tech startups at the pre-seed stage.Aug 9, 2025
JTJohn Taylor Garnersaid they've seen
CHCharles Hudson
make a meaningful positive difference for early-stage startups as an investor.Aug 7, 2025
JBJewel Burks Solomonsaid
CHCharles Hudson
is someone whose startup research they regularly recommend to others.Aug 6, 2025
JBJewel Burks Solomonsaid they would put
CHCharles Hudson
on their shortlist of people to approach if they were raising a pre-seed or seed round.Jul 31, 2025
FKFifi Karasaid that if they were recommending a top-notch VC partner for a founder,
CHCharles Hudson
would be one of their first picks.Jul 30, 2025
JPJeffrey Priebesaid
CHCharles Hudson
is one of the most helpful investors they've seen for B2C commerce startups.Jul 25, 2025
JPJeffrey Priebesaid they've seen
CHCharles Hudson
lead successful investments or make a real difference for early-stage startups.Jul 25, 2025
DGDhruv Ghulatisaid
CHCharles Hudson
's business acumen stands out compared to other MBA grads they've worked with.Jul 19, 2025
Jul 18, 2025
Jul 14, 2025
LTLorenzo Thionesaid they've seen
CHCharles Hudson
make high-impact investments in promising startups.Jul 9, 2025