Who AI recommends, and when it changes.
Data as of Jun 9, 2026 · Based on 157 AI answers · A buyer need in VC & Angel Investor Databases. · See how Parse measures this
and are the most frequently recommended investors for open-source and open-core software funding, with a contested lead. AI responses consistently surface these two firms because of their specialized focus: on developer tools and enterprise software, and on building companies around open-core projects. Other specialized funds like Boldstart and also receive notable mentions.
Where a different pick wins:
Crane Venture PartnersA London-based fund specializing in pre-seed and seed investments for European open-source companies. · 2 sources
OSS CapitalThe first early-stage VC exclusively dedicated to commercial open-source startup founders globally. · 2 sources
Recommendation share
Heavybit leads at 12% of AI recommendations; OpenCore Ventures follows at 11%.
By platform
Platforms disagree: Heavybit leads on Google AI Overviews, Andreessen Horowitz on ChatGPT, eCapital on Google AI Mode.
Representative prompts behind this market ranking, and how AI tends to answer.
Buyer needs that sit next to this one in the same market.
Why here: Specializes in developer tools and enterprise software, often incubating open-source commercialization efforts. · 3 sources
wins on developer focused early stage platform vs OSS Capital
Why here: Founded by GitLab co-founder, exclusively funds open-core companies built around promising open-source projects. · 3 sources
loses on type vs traditional VC
Why here: Pre-seed and seed investor focusing on developer-first and open-source infrastructure. · 3 sources
Why here: Focuses specifically on investing in open-source tools and infrastructure. · 3 sources
Why here: Broad portfolio in developer tools and infrastructure including notable open-source companies. · 3 sources
Why here: Has funded numerous open-source startups like Posthog and Apollo at early stage. · 2 sources
Why here: Active seed investor in dev tools and infrastructure with investments like ClickHouse and Cockroach Labs. · 3 sources
Why here: The first early-stage VC exclusively dedicated to commercial open-source startups. · 3 sources
wins on dedication vs other VCs
Why here: European fund known for backing developer-focused open-core companies like Meilisearch. · 2 sources
Why here: Known for backing open-source infrastructure companies like Grafana Labs and Hasura. · 2 sources
Why here: Founded by MySQL/MariaDB veterans, focuses on early-stage open-source and COSS projects. · 2 sources
Why here: French startup studio and investor building B2B enterprise software from open-source projects. · 2 sources
loses on oss investment thesis vs Andreessen Horowitz
“Who are the best investors for an "open core" software company?”
AI typically names 
“I'm building an open-source software company. Which venture capital firms have a dedicated OSS investment thesis?”
Answers highlight dedicated OSS funds like
Boldstart Ventures
