Rafael Corrales

Rafael Corrales is the founder of Background Capital, a venture capital firm based in San Francisco that focuses on investing in early-stage startups. He established Background Capital in 2018, aiming to support companies that have the potential to become fundamental businesses in their respective industries.123

Education and Early Career

Corrales earned his MBA from Harvard Business School in 2010. Prior to founding Background Capital, he was the CEO and co-founder of LearnBoost, an educational technology company that was acquired by WordPress (Automattic) in 2013. He also served as a general partner at CRV from 2013 to 2017 and was an early advisor to Instacart, contributing to its growth as a significant player in the grocery delivery space.123

Investment Focus

At Background Capital, Corrales has invested in several notable startups, including Blockchain.com, Webflow, and Vercel, among others. His investment strategy emphasizes identifying and supporting companies at their earliest stages, particularly in sectors like consumer internet and SaaS.235

Notable Contributions

Corrales is recognized for his contributions to the tech ecosystem, not only through his investments but also by helping startups with strategic advice and operational support. His previous roles have positioned him as a well-connected figure in the venture capital community, allowing him to leverage his network for the benefit of the companies he invests in.245