Michael Dempsey
VCManaging Partner, Compound
Research-driven frontier tech investor in NYC
Background
Michael Dempsey is the Managing Partner at Compound, a New York-based thesis-driven, research-centric venture firm focused on AI, robotics, energy, materials science, and crypto. He previously helped build the data and research team at CB Insights and co-founded an AI animation studio. He approaches venture investing as applied science, reading scientific papers and building mental models before making investments. Notable early investments include RunwayML, Wayve, and Prime Intellect.
Investment Thesis
Invests at the intersection of scientific progress and commercial opportunity across AI/ML, robotics, biology, and crypto; backs frontier technology companies with deep technical differentiation.
Investment Focus
Stages
Typical check: $400K-$1.5M
Sectors
Based in: New York, USA (North America)