Venture Capital
Ashton Kutcher exits Sound Ventures to launch AI-focused VC firm with Morgan Beller
The actor-investor is parting ways with the firm he co-founded to start a new fund targeting early-stage AI infrastructure and deep tech.
TechCrunch — AI
Ashton Kutcher is stepping away from Sound Ventures, the investment firm he established 11 years ago with Guy Oseary, to establish a fresh venture fund focused on a different corner of the tech ecosystem.
Kutcher's new venture will be built with Morgan Beller, who most recently held the title of general partner at the seed-stage firm NFX. Beller brings substantial experience in emerging technology, having previously directed Meta's Libra cryptocurrency initiative and worked as a partner at Andreessen Horowitz for nearly three years.
A Shift in Investment Strategy#
The division does not suggest difficulty at Sound Ventures. Rather, it reflects a strategic divergence between Kutcher and his co-founders over investment priorities. While Sound built its portfolio around later-stage, category-defining AI research labs — backing companies such as Brex and Gusto, plus early positions in OpenAI, Anthropic, and Fei-Fei Li's World Labs — Kutcher and Beller are targeting a different layer of the market.
Their fund will concentrate on early-stage companies in AI infrastructure, energy, and deep tech — ventures rooted in fundamental scientific and engineering innovation rather than software innovation alone.
A Pattern of Successful Bets#
Kutcher has developed a track record as a top-tier venture investor. As Stanford finance professor Ilya Strebulaev, who evaluates VC performance, noted on X: "He and his fund consistently make it onto [my] rankings of top unicorn investors."
The shift highlights how capital is stratifying within the AI sector — with different firms now specializing in specific stages and infrastructure layers rather than pursuing broad AI exposure.
Maintaining Ties#
Despite the split, both sides will maintain advisory relationships. Kutcher will continue advising Sound Ventures, while Sound partner Guy Oseary and general partner Effie Epstein will advise Kutcher's new endeavor. The arrangement preserves collaboration while allowing both teams to pursue distinct theses.
