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Signal Fire

“Can a data-native VC firm (built on proprietary AI/ML tooling) systematically outperform on seed and early-stage applied AI investments?”

Founded2012
HQSan Francisco, California, United States
FoundersChris Farmer
Total raised$3B AUM (cumulative funds)
Latest roundFund V, 2024/2025
IndustryFintech / Venture Capital

The story

Founded in 2012 by Chris Farmer, SignalFire is a data-driven venture capital firm built around its proprietary machine-learning platform, Beacon AI, which it uses to identify and support portfolio companies. The firm invests primarily at seed and early stages, with a focus on applied AI. Its embedded finance footprint as an operator (rather than investor) is minimal — the one confirmed vendor relationship is Branch for insurance, likely used for internal employee benefits.

Last 12 months

2024

SignalFire closes $1B Fund V, its largest fund, focused on applied AI; brings total AUM to $3B. New LPs include large U.S. public pension funds, an Asian sovereign wealth fund, a major global bank, and a large insurer.

Product timeline

2012

SignalFire founded by Chris Farmer as a data-driven venture capital firm.· pivot

2023

Raised Fund IV at $900M, continuing focus on seed and early-stage investments.· banking

2024

Closed $1B Fund V (largest fund to date) focused on applied AI companies, bringing total AUM to $3B.· pivot

The stack

0 layers disclosed in Signal Fire’s embedded-finance stack

Accounting gap: none

Signal Fire — frequently asked

Who founded Signal Fire?

Signal Fire was founded by Chris Farmer and is founded in 2012, headquartered in San Francisco, California, United States.

How much funding has Signal Fire raised?

Signal Fire has raised $3B AUM (cumulative funds) in total (latest round: Fund V, 2024/2025).

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