the fund for day 0 engineer-founders

the fund for
day 0 engineer-founders

the fund for day 0 engineer-founders

We write first checks into enterprise startups with a clear technical differentiation in data infrastructure, AI & ML platforms, devtools, blockchain and cloud tech.

We write first checks into startups with a clear technical differentiation in data infrastructure, dev tools, AI/ML platforms, and cloud-related businesses.

We write first checks into enterprise startups with a clear technical differentiation in data infrastructure, AI & ML platforms, devtools, blockchain and cloud tech.

How we help

How we help

We invest $500k - $1.5m in pre-seed and seed rounds, and support companies in achieving their key KPIs until we intro them to their next round of investors via our extensive network of top funds.


Not your typical VC, we're your best brainstorming partner, your closest confidant and are most often the best-connected network on your cap table, helping you every step of the way.



We invest $500k - $1.5m in pre-seed and seed rounds, and support companies in achieving their key KPIs until we intro them to their next round of investors via our extensive network of top funds.


Not your typical VC, we're your best brainstorming partner, your closest confidant and are most often the best-connected network on your cap table, helping you every step of the way.



We invest $500k - $1.5m in pre-seed and seed rounds, and support companies in achieving their key KPIs until we intro them to their next round of investors via our extensive network of top funds.


Not your typical VC, we're your best brainstorming partner, your closest confidant and are most often the best-connected network on your cap table, helping you every step of the way.



Experience

The transition from engineer to engineer-founder can be intimidating. We bring the knowledge, resources and learnings we've acquired from our own day 0 founding experiences and begin collaborating with you from the earliest moment you have an idea.

Network

We've spent 10 years building a community of engineer-founders. Attend our events to network with other founders, learn about the latest in enterprise tech, brainstorm with our team and be inspired by our amazing, geeky community.

Growth

Whether you need a design partner, a GTM strategy or engineering talent, we've got you covered. No two startups are alike, but we work directly with you to understand your needs and turn to our toolbox of resources to help as quickly as possible.

Funding

Think of us as the ringleader of your Friends & Family round. Yes, we'll write your first check and help you get your idea off the ground, but then we'll connect you to our vast network of top-tier investors.

Experience

The transition from engineer to engineer-founder can be intimidating. We bring the knowledge, resources and learnings we've acquired from our own day 0 founding experiences and begin collaborating with you from the earliest moment you have an idea.

Network

We've spent 10 years building a community of engineer-founders. Attend our events to network with other founders, learn about the latest in enterprise tech, brainstorm with our team and be inspired by our amazing, geeky community.

Growth

Whether you need a design partner, a GTM strategy or engineering talent, we've got you covered. No two startups are alike, but we work directly with you to understand your needs and turn to our toolbox of resources to help as quickly as possible.

Funding

Think of us as the ringleader of your Friends & Family round. Yes, we'll write your first check and help you get your idea off the ground, but then we'll connect you to our vast network of top-tier investors.

Experience

The transition from engineer to engineer-founder can be intimidating. We bring the knowledge, resources and learnings we've acquired from our own day 0 founding experiences and begin collaborating with you from the earliest moment you have an idea.

Network

We've spent 10 years building a community of engineer-founders. Attend our events to network with other founders, learn about the latest in enterprise tech, brainstorm with our team and be inspired by our amazing, geeky community.

Growth

Whether you need a design partner, a GTM strategy or engineering talent, we've got you covered. No two startups are alike, but we work directly with you to understand your needs and turn to our toolbox of resources to help as quickly as possible.

Funding

Think of us as the ringleader of your Friends & Family round. Yes, we'll write your first check and help you get your idea off the ground, but then we'll connect you to our vast network of top-tier investors.

Founded by an
engineer-founder

Pete Soderling is an engineer, turned founder, turned investor. His passion is helping other engineers start companies. In launching Zero Prime, Pete's goal is to help 10k engineers launch startups. He's personally walked the startup walk from day 0 multiple times before.

Founded by an
engineer-founder

Pete Soderling is an engineer, turned founder, turned investor. His passion is helping other engineers start companies. In launching Zero Prime, Pete's goal is to help 10k engineers launch startups. He's personally walked the startup walk from day 0 multiple times before.

Founded by an
engineer-founder

Pete Soderling is an engineer, turned founder, turned investor. His passion is helping other engineers start companies. In launching Zero Prime, Pete's goal is to help 10k engineers launch startups. He's personally walked the startup walk from day 0 multiple times before.

What founders & peers say

“ As an open-source project, Great Expectations started with strong community growth and credibility – we’ve loved working with Data Council, because they're one of the few organizations that can genuinely increase our reach. Throughout it all, Pete has been an awesome thought partner and supporter. ”

Abe Gong

Great Expectations

“ Pete worked closely with us in refining the product messaging of our initial pitch decks and subsequently helped us raise from an amazing syndicate of Data Council members. The depth of his network continues to prove invaluable."

Todd Persen

EraDB

“ Because of his place in the data ecosystem Pete sees it all. We carefully watch his deals for downstream investment opportunities in data and AI companies.”

Joanne Chen

Foundation Capital

What founders
& peers say

“ As an open-source project, Great Expectations started with strong community growth and credibility – we’ve loved working with Data Council, because they're one of the few organizations that can genuinely increase our reach. Throughout it all, Pete has been an awesome thought partner and supporter. ”

Abe Gong

Great Expectations

“ Pete worked closely with us in refining the product messaging of our initial pitch decks and subsequently helped us raise from an amazing syndicate of Data Council members. The depth of his network continues to prove invaluable."

Todd Persen

EraDB

“ Because of his place in the data ecosystem Pete sees it all. We carefully watch his deals for downstream investment opportunities in data and AI companies.”

Joanne Chen

Foundation Capital

What founders & peers say

“ As an open-source project, Great Expectations started with strong community growth and credibility – we’ve loved working with Data Council, because they're one of the few organizations that can genuinely increase our reach. Throughout it all, Pete has been an awesome thought partner and supporter. ”

Abe Gong

Great Expectations

“ Pete worked closely with us in refining the product messaging of our initial pitch decks and subsequently helped us raise from an amazing syndicate of Data Council members. The depth of his network continues to prove invaluable."

Todd Persen

EraDB

“ Because of his place in the data ecosystem Pete sees it all. We carefully watch his deals for downstream investment opportunities in data and AI companies.”

Joanne Chen

Foundation Capital

We're behind the world's largest
independent full-stack data conference

Data Council was founded in 2013 as the community event for the most technical minds in data.
Join us for our next global conference in March 26-28, 2024 in Austin.

Data Council was founded in 2013 as the community event for the most technical minds in data. Join us for our next global conference in March 26-28, 2024 in Austin.

Data Council was founded in 2013 as the community event for the most technical minds in data. Join us for our next global conference in March 26-28, 2024 in Austin.

Visit Data Council

🎙️ Listen to the pod

Pete sits down with successful engineer-founders to learn about their journeys, struggles, learnings and more.

🎙️ Listen to the pod

Pete sits down with successful engineer-founders to learn about their journeys, struggles, learnings and more.

🎙️ Listen to the pod

Pete sits down with successful engineer-founders to learn about their journeys, struggles, learnings and more.

Stay Connected

Keep Updated

For occasional updates on the latest news and events

© 2023 Zero Prime Ventures. All rights reserved.

Stay Connected

Keep Updated

For occasional updates on the latest news and events

© 2023 Zero Prime Ventures. All rights reserved.

Stay Connected

Keep Updated

For occasional updates on the latest news and events

© 2023 Zero Prime Ventures. All rights reserved.