In a venture market where capital alone no longer sets a firm apart, Coconut Grove-based Roo Capital is betting on a more hands-on approach. Launched in 2022 and based in Miami, the early-stage venture firm is applying a private equity-style structure to the seed stage – aiming to offer not just funding, but deep operational support.
Founded by Nate DaPore [pictured above], a two-time founder and tech CEO who scaled and exited two software companies, Roo Capital invests across vertical SaaS, healthtech, cybersecurity and AI. Leveraging Nate’s operational expertise and firsthand understanding of early-stage growth challenges, the fund typically leads or co-leads investment rounds ranging from $250K to $9.5M, supporting a current portfolio of 10 companies.
But DaPore asserts that Roo’s competitive edge comes from two specialized, in-house value-creation teams, Roo Search and Roo Growth, deployed within the first year of investment. Roo Growth, staffed by private equity-trained operators, partners with founders to execute targeted go-to-market strategies and unlock key scaling levers.
Roo Search leverages a proprietary database of over 21,000 executives, working closely with founding teams to place roles aligned with the company’s vision and growth stage. Together, Roo claims that these teams have successfully placed more than 30 strategic hires across Roo’s portfolio within just 18 months.
“The days of passive investing are numbered,” DaPore told Refresh Miami. “Our model is built around helping founders navigate critical growth moments and execute effectively when the stakes are highest.”
That hands-on model is gaining attention, especially in a market where down rounds and flat valuations are becoming more common. According to PitchBook, companies backed by highly connected investors at the Series A stage outperform their peers by a wide margin, underscoring the value of networks, operating support, and early-stage structure.
“Most VCs are still relying on an outdated playbook, warm intros, infrequent check-ins, and pitch decks,” said DaPore. “That might have worked in a bull market, but today’s founders need investors who deliver more than just capital, bringing proven value-creation strategies and meaningful support.”
Two of Roo’s portfolio companies are based in Miami. GoTu, a tech-enabled platform modernizing staffing for dental offices, and Flowlie, an AI-powered tool for streamlining the venture fundraising process, both reflect Roo’s focus on practical tech in overlooked categories. Flowlie, founded in 2021, has developed a suite of tools for round planning, investor research, and deal tracking, targeting pain points felt by founders and investors alike.
“Founders don’t need another pitch competition or flashy term sheet,” DaPore said. “They need investors who help them grow their enterprise customer base, recruit exceptional talent, and build sustainable growth. That’s exactly where we focus.”
“The best founders are reference-checking VCs before even agreeing to a meeting,” DaPore continued. “We encourage that kind of diligence. Founders should verify whether a VC offers more than just capital, bringing a clear plan of action and a proven value-creation playbook. That’s the real edge investors can provide, and it’s the foundation we’ve built Roo Capital on.”
Roo’s bet on Miami is also strategic. DaPore relocated to the city in 2020, drawn by its fast-growing tech ecosystem and the concentration of early-stage startups. He sees Roo as filling a gap between angel capital and larger funds, offering structure and support to startups that are beginning to scale but aren’t yet on the radar of big-name firms.
“There’s a lot of energy here,” he said. “But we think Miami needs more funds that can provide operational depth, not just capital with a logo.”
Ultimately, Roo is positioning itself as a different kind of VC firm: one that emphasizes execution over hype and views the post-investment phase as the real starting line.
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I am a Miami-based technology researcher and writer with a passion for sharing stories about the South Florida tech ecosystem. I particularly enjoy learning about GovTech startups, cutting-edge applications of artificial intelligence, and innovators that leverage technology to transform society for the better. Always open for pitches via Twitter @rileywk or www.RileyKaminer.com.
