Avidan Ross

Avidan Ross is the Founding Partner of Root Ventures, a venture capital firm based in San Francisco that focuses on early-stage investments in deep technology and engineering-driven startups. He established Root Ventures in 2013, aiming to support companies that require significant engineering expertise to succeed. The firm operates with a thesis-driven approach, emphasizing investments in technical risk and engineering enablement.156

Educational and Professional Background

Avidan holds a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science from Columbia University. Before founding Root Ventures, he served as the Chief Technology Officer at CIM Group, a private equity firm managing approximately $15 billion in assets, where he focused on technology investments. His early career included work as an embedded application developer at Excite@Home and designing industrial robotics for the Food Network's kitchens.12345

Contributions and Philosophy

At Root Ventures, Avidan and his partners leverage their engineering backgrounds to actively engage with portfolio companies, providing guidance and support to founders. The firm recently announced a third fund, raising $150 million to continue its mission of investing in technical startups led by technical founders.56 Avidan's investment philosophy centers on embracing engineering risk, which he believes is crucial for innovation in the tech industry.15

In addition to his venture capital work, Avidan has also hosted a pilot for a Food Network show and authored a book on coffee, showcasing his diverse interests beyond technology and finance.15