← Embedded Finance Index 2026

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