Observed Signal · Jul 1, 2026 · New VC firm launch · Source: techcrunch · Impact: 2/5 · Sentiment: Positive
Ashton Kutcher Leaves Sound Ventures to Launch VC
Ashton Kutcher is leaving Sound Ventures, the firm he co-founded with Guy Oseary 11 years ago, to start a new venture capital firm with Morgan Beller. Beller was until recently a general partner at seed-focused VC NFX, previously co-led Meta’s Libra cryptocurrency project and spent nearly three years as a partner at Andreessen Horowitz. The new firm’s name has not been disclosed. Kutcher will remain an adviser to Sound Ventures while Guy Oseary and Sound partner Effie Epstein will advise Kutcher and Beller’s new vehicle. The new fund intends to focus on early-stage investments in AI infrastructure, energy and deep tech, contrasting with Sound Ventures’ recent emphasis on later-stage, category-leading AI labs. TechCrunch cites a Wall Street Journal report and places the move in the context of shifting VC interest toward the layers powering AI.
Signals capital and founder attention shifting toward early-stage AI infrastructure, energy and deep tech — a funding trend that can influence where startups and supporting technology vendors focus, but it is not an immediate, industry-wide policy or platform change.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Ashton Kutcher is stepping away from Sound Ventures to start a separate VC firm.
- Kutcher’s new firm is being co-founded with Morgan Beller.
- Morgan Beller was until recently a general partner at NFX, previously co-led Libra at Meta, and spent nearly three years as a partner at Andreessen Horowitz.
- The new fund will focus on early-stage investments in AI infrastructure, energy, and deep tech; the firm’s name has not been announced.
- Kutcher will continue as an adviser to Sound Ventures; Guy Oseary and Effie Epstein will advise Kutcher and Beller’s new firm.
Connected Companies & Entities
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“The actor and investor’s new firm is being co-founded with Morgan Beller, who until recently was a general partner at seed-focused VC outfit...”
“The actor and investor’s new firm is being co-founded with Morgan Beller, who until recently was a general partner at seed-focused VC outfit...”
“Beller also spent nearly three years as a partner at Andreessen Horowitz....”
“The firm, which has backed companies like Brex and Gusto, was also an early investor in OpenAI, Anthropic, and Fei-Fei Li’s World Labs....”
“The firm, which has backed companies like Brex and Gusto, was also an early investor in OpenAI, Anthropic, and Fei-Fei Li’s World Labs....”
“TechCrunch had separately heard that Kutcher was preparing to leave; the WSJ’s report confirms it and adds new detail on his plans with Bell...”
“The firm, which has backed companies like Brex and Gusto, was also an early investor in OpenAI, Anthropic, and Fei-Fei Li’s World Labs....”
Ontology Mapping & Concepts
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Tech Reporter Alex Heath Joins Sound Ventures as Partner
Alex Heath, a prominent tech journalist formerly of The Verge, is joining Sound Ventures, the venture capital firm co-founded by Guy Oseary and Ashton Kutcher, as a partner. Heath will continue his newsletter and podcast 'Sources' independently, which has generated over $1 million in revenue since its launch in September 2025. Sound Ventures is raising a $300 million fifth fund with an expected first close this month. The firm has invested heavily in AI companies, including OpenAI and Anthropic, and has nearly $2 billion in assets under management. Heath's transition marks a move from journalism to venture capital, where he will invest in startups.
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OpenAI Alums Launch Zero Shot VC Fund
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