Playground Global

Playground Global is an early-stage venture capital firm specializing in deep technology investments. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Palo Alto, California, the firm focuses on transformative technologies across sectors such as next-generation computing, automation, energy transition, decarbonization, and engineered biology. Playground Global has raised over $1.2 billion in assets under management, with initial investments ranging from $1 million to $20 million in Seed and Series A companies. The firm is known for its hands-on approach, providing portfolio companies with engineering expertise, industrial design, manufacturing facilities, and strategic partnerships to accelerate growth and innovation. Playground Global has been an early – and frequently the first investor – in companies like PsiQuantum, Relativity Space, Ultima Genomics, MosaicML, d-Matrix, Strand Therapeutics, and Universal Hydrogen. In March 2025, Pat Gelsinger, a visionary leader in computing and semiconductor innovation, joined Playground Global as a General Partner. Gelsinger brings more than 45 years of experience driving technological advancements, most recently as CEO of Intel and previously as CEO of VMware. At Playground, Gelsinger invests alongside fellow General Partners Peter Barrett, Jory Bell, and Bruce Leak, taking board seats, mentoring CEOs, and lending his technical and operational expertise across the portfolio. Playground Global's mission is to move civilization forward through the power of technology. The firm invests at the earliest stages of company formation, backing technical founders working at the intersection of AI, engineered biology, next-gen compute, and hard science. If it's too early for everyone else, it's probably right for them. The firm's portfolio includes companies such as PsiQuantum, Relativity Space, Ultima Genomics, MosaicML (acquired by Databricks), d-Matrix, Strand Therapeutics, and Velo3D (NYSE: SPFR).

Technical founders with innovative ideas in deep technology sectors, Companies addressing fundamental challenges with transformative solutions, Startups seeking early-stage funding to scale their operations, Technical founders working at the intersection of AI, engineered biology, next-gen compute, and hard science.