• Check size: $1-3M
• Stage you invest: Pre-seed and seed, also create companies from scratch in their venture studio
• Size of your fund: $250M (first fund, announced earlier this year)
• Industry verticals: Deep tech (robotics, manufacturing, aerospace, space); health tech; general tech; economic infrastructure; energy transition/climate tech
• Geographies you invest in: New York City (primary focus), Europe, Israel, Canada, Latin America, US
• Portfolio companies include: Civ Robotics, Renovate Robotics, Eyebot

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Brighter Future had the pleasure of speaking with Abe Murray, General Partner at Alley Corp. Known for its transformative role in New York City’s tech scene, where it helped found and create “Silicon Alley”, Alley Corp recently transitioned from a venture studio to a full-fledged venture fund. When he spoke with us, Abe shared his journey, investment philosophy, and invaluable advice for founders seeking to build impactful companies.

Shaping the Future: From Venture Studio to Venture Fund

Founded by Kevin Ryan, a prominent figure in the tech industry, Alley Corp has a storied history, and has created companies like MongoDB and Business Insider, the largest business site online. Transitioning to a $250 million venture fund, the firm focuses on a diverse range of industries, including deep tech, health tech, economic infrastructure, and general tech. As Abe explains, this evolution ensures "a longevity plan for the great business Kevin’s built."

Alley Corp takes pride in flexibility, writing checks ranging from $1 to $3 million and even larger when needed. Abe notes that this approach allows them to back exceptional founders and tackle pressing challenges, particularly in climate tech. A third of Alley Corp’s portfolio does work directly in climate, but "arguably all of them are doing something to tackle the climate challenges in front of us," he says.

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Abe Murray: From Aquaculture to Venture Capital

Abe’s unconventional journey has equipped him with a unique perspective. Dropping out of high school to run fishing boats and factories, he developed a deep understanding of food production and labour challenges. His career path included engineering roles at Lockheed Martin, leadership positions at Google, and scaling AI-driven healthcare solutions.

Reflecting on his varied experiences, Abe highlighted a common thread: a desire to solve complex problems at scale. “The problems of our generation are scary too. And we've got great people showing up to fix them,” he says.

Mission-Driven Investments

Abe is deeply committed to addressing the world's most pressing problems — energy, climate, food, healthcare, and education. These priorities are reflected in his focus areas: robotics, advanced manufacturing, aerospace, and the energy transition. His investment philosophy centres on societal impact. "We have to keep delivering the same amount of human flourishing while doing it with fewer resources," he emphasises.

A standout example is Abe’s investment in Civ Robotics, which automates solar farm construction. "When we show up with automation, we let them do more, faster, and better," he says. His recent investment in a nuclear small modular reactor company exemplifies his focus on groundbreaking climate solutions, and shows his willingness to tackle high-stakes problems with transformative potential.

Automation as a Solution to Labour Shortages

One of Abe’s recurring themes is the urgent need for automation to address widespread labour shortages. He points out that industries such as infrastructure maintenance often struggle to hire enough workers. "We can't usually hire enough people to go do those things," he says, to show how automation can bridge this gap. From inspecting high-voltage power transmissions to scaling solar farms, Abe’s investments aim to fill critical labour voids with innovative solutions.

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What’s in a Good Founder, and the Importance of Storytelling

Alley Corp frequently invests at pre-seed and seed stages; they’ve been known to back teams with little more than a prototype. 

Abe stresses that exceptional founders must have a compelling vision, resilience, and strong storytelling abilities. “Everything is storytelling,” he says. “You need to articulate a vision that excites and convinces people to join you on your journey.”

He also values founders with deep technological insights and customer obsession. Citing Civ Robotics as an example, he highlights how founders with industry-specific experience can identify and address unrecognised needs effectively.

Abe believes successful founders combine technological expertise with market awareness. "No matter how cool your technology is, you have to sell it," he says, reflecting on his experience in health tech. He admires founders who are "customer and problem obsessed" — those who begin with a deep understanding of the market and then apply technology to solve those problems effectively.

Abe tells us he believes that storytelling is crucial not just for securing investment but for long-term success. He encourages founders to refine this skill, noting that even deeply technical leaders can become compelling storytellers with practice. "It’s important to get good at it. And if you can’t, you need someone on your team who can."

Navigating Challenges and Staying Ahead

When asked about common reasons startups fail, Abe cites a lack of urgency and customer focus. “Speed and intensity are always solutions to problems,” he says. He advises founders to focus on efficiency and iterate quickly to secure product-market fit. “There's an adage that companies don't die; they run out of money.”

Additionally, Abe emphasises the importance of mentorship in Alley Corp’s strategy. As an extremely hands-on investor, he often provides guidance on scaling teams, negotiating contracts, and landing revenue.

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Underexplored Opportunities in Tech

Abe sees untapped potential in areas like retail automation and advanced manufacturing. While sectors like warehouse robotics may appear saturated, he notes that 90 percent of warehouses are still manual and labour-intensive. Similarly, construction automation remains a largely uncharted opportunity, with significant potential to enhance productivity in the built environment.

Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

For those seeking venture funding, Abe offers clear advice: ensure your business aligns with venture capital’s objectives. “If you’re building a business that caps at $50 million in revenue, that's phenomenal, but it’s not a venture-scale opportunity,” he says.

He encourages founders to use every available resource to reach milestones before seeking funding, ensuring stronger valuations and reduced dilution. He advises startups to keep costs down during early iterations, often recommending university labs or other low-cost environments as ideal starting points.

Abe Murray’s passion for solving global challenges through innovative technology shines through in every aspect of his work at Alley Corp. From robotics to renewable energy, he’s dedicated to empowering founders who aim to make a lasting impact.

From all of us at Brighter Future, we extend our gratitude to Abe for his time and insights. We wish him and Alley Corp the greatest possible continued success in shaping a better future for us all.

To learn more about Alley Corp, please see www.alleycorp.com.

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