Although AI is transforming industries, its effects have largely been felt by roughly one billion knowledge workers in areas such as finance, law, and marketing. Over 90% of the world’s population has not yet fully experienced AI’s transformative potential. Seven Stars, a new venture capital firm founded by former SV Angel Partner Steven Lee, seeks to change this by supporting founders developing AI tools that can empower people and businesses worldwide.
In June, Seven Stars announced the launch of its oversubscribed $40 million pre-seed and seed-stage fund. Closed in just five weeks, the fund is dedicated to supporting next-generation founders building enduring AI application companies across both consumer and enterprise technology.
In an exclusive interview with TFN, Steven Lee, Founder and General Partner of Seven Stars, shares: “Seven Stars is a $40M pre-seed and seed-stage fund that partners with next-generation founders building enduring AI companies across both consumer and enterprise technology.”
He adds, “I built Seven Stars to deliver unique value to visionary AI founders, including hands-on fundraising coaching, access to a diverse talent pipeline, and a curated advisory network from world-class companies like Google, Meta, Nubank, and OpenAI. We made our first investment in March 2025 — a pre-seed stealth company founded by a repeat entrepreneur I worked closely with at SV Angel — and have since partnered with five companies to date.”
The story behind Seven Stars
Steven Lee’s entrepreneurial journey is rooted in his family’s immigrant story. As a first-generation Korean-American raised in Los Angeles’ Koreatown, Lee was inspired by his parents, who founded a small clothing business called “Seven Star Fashion” after immigrating from South Korea in 1985.
“Like millions of other immigrants coming to the United States, my parents came from South Korea in 1985, chasing the elusive American Dream—with limited English proficiency and no personal network,” Lee shared.
“In 1993, they founded Seven Star Fashion in Downtown Los Angeles. They were the first entrepreneurs I ever knew, and watching their tireless work ethic taught me just how difficult it is to build any kind of business. It takes immense courage, sacrifice, and a bit of luck. I hope that anyone who becomes part of the Seven Stars team in the future will work alongside the founders with empathy and unwavering dedication to help them achieve their dreams.”
Lee’s investment thesis is deeply personal: He seeks out founders whose life stories and determination signal the potential to build iconic, lasting companies. As one of the few venture capital partners of Korean descent, Lee is also an active member of Gold House, a nonprofit empowering Asian Pacific creators and businesses.
Behind Seven Stars: Founder-first approach, collaborative investment model, and deep industry connections
Seven Stars stands out for its founder-first approach, collaborative investment model, and deep industry connections. The firm co-invests alongside other VCs and angel investors, leveraging a robust LP base that includes university endowments, pension funds, and institutional investors. Its advisory network features leaders from Google, Nubank, Meta, Microsoft, and OpenAI, providing founders with unparalleled access to expertise and mentorship.
“Our investing model is focused on co-investing and working collaboratively alongside other VCs and angel investors, which is how I’ve operated during my venture career,” Lee explains. “When you look at many of the iconic and influential companies across different technological waves, their success wasn’t driven by a single investor. Instead, it was a collective effort — multiple investors contributed at various stages, each bringing unique value and support throughout the company’s journey.”
Unlike traditional funds, Seven Stars is built on authentic relationships and a commitment to diversity — values that resonate with both founders and co-investors. Lee’s reputation for integrity and ambition, coupled with a proven track record of identifying category-leading AI companies, gives Seven Stars a distinct edge in the competitive venture landscape.
Investor confidence and LP insights
The fund’s rapid oversubscription is a testament to investor confidence in both early-stage AI ventures and Lee’s leadership.
“Our LPs agree with our viewpoint that we’re at the early innings of the biggest technology wave of our lifetime,” says Lee. “While AI already benefits one billion knowledge workers across finance, law, and marketing, I’m most excited about its impact on the rest of the world — eight billion people. I believe AI is the equaliser for the 90%, poised to transform lives on a global scale, and I’m excited for Seven Stars to partner with founders who will empower individuals and companies to thrive in a rapidly changing world.”
“Similar to how I am focused on partnering with next-generation founders building enduring AI companies, my ambition is to ensure that Seven Stars is an enduring franchise,” Lee adds. “I am honoured to have LPs who are long-term institutional investors, including a university endowment, a state pension fund, and firms managing capital on behalf of endowments, foundations, and insurance companies, among others.”
Looking ahead, Seven Stars aims to catalyse the next wave of AI-driven disruption by empowering founders from all backgrounds to build solutions for the world’s most pressing challenges. Focusing on both consumer and enterprise applications, the firm will continue to invest in teams that combine technical excellence with a deep understanding of real-world problems.
“AI is the equaliser for the 90% — and it all starts with motivated founders. We’re here to help them turn vision into reality, shaping a future where AI benefits everyone,” Lee concludes.
