DealerFund I: Investments in auto tech startups that dealerships help grow, with dealerships able to participate… Grant

About this grant

DealerFund I is a seed-stage venture capital fund operated by Automotive Ventures, a global mobility-focused investor. The fund is specifically designed to empower automotive dealerships to invest in and financially participate in the auto tech startups they help to grow, representing a unique model where dealers become co-investors in the innovation reshaping their industry. DealerFund I targets early-stage companies operating across the mobility ecosystem, including areas such as connectivity, cybersecurity, compliance, autonomy, robotics, AI, shared assets, subscription and convenience economy models, decarbonization and new energy sources, evolution of auto commerce, smart city and urban mobility, industrial technology, and the dealership of the future. The fund provides an average initial check size of approximately $500,000 and draws on Automotive Ventures' more than 25 years of automotive industry experience to offer founders 'smart money' alongside capital. DealerFund I is one of three Automotive Ventures funds, and portfolio companies may receive investment from multiple funds simultaneously.

Eligibility

DealerFund I targets seed-stage founders building companies within the mobility and automotive technology ecosystem. There is no explicitly stated geographic restriction, as Automotive Ventures describes itself as a global investor. Eligible companies should be operating in sectors relevant to the mobility ecosystem, including but not limited to automotive technology, dealership innovation, connectivity, AI, decarbonization, and urban mobility. The fund is seed-stage focused, implying early-stage companies are the primary target.

How it's scored

Automotive Ventures emphasizes backing exceptional founders with a strong thesis alignment to the future of mobility. Key factors include industry fit across their defined mobility sectors, founder quality and potential to move up the maturity curve, and opportunities where Automotive Ventures' network and industry expertise can add meaningful value. The firm highlights the importance of smart money alignment, network leverage for customer and partner development, and empathy-driven founder support as central to their investment philosophy.

Key requirements

• ✓Auto tech startup with dealership partnership or co-investment participation
• ✓Focus on dealership operations, auto commerce, or mobility technology
• ✓Dealerships able to participate financially in the investment

Recent past awardees

Knowing who's won the last rounds tells you whether you're in the strike zone.

• Kinetic · 2023
• WarrCloud · 2021

Funder contact

The notice names a programme contact you can speak to before applying.

Frequently asked questions

How much funding does Automotive Ventures offer?

DealerFund I: Investments in auto tech startups that dealerships help grow, with dealerships able to participate… offers $500K.

Who can apply for DealerFund I: Investments in auto tech startups that dealerships help grow, with dealerships able to participate…?

Eligibility covers organisations in US; startup. See the eligibility criteria above for the full conditions.

Relevant sectors

About this sector

Electric mobility funding supports electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, battery supply chains and fleet transition for buses, vans and trucks. Public authorities buy vehicles and charge points through tenders, while grants back pilots and manufacturing. Applicants usually need site plans, grid capacity checks and an operator for the finished assets.