Ashton Kutcher leaving Sound Ventures to launch new VC firm with Morgan Beller

Ashton Kutcher is embarking on a new entrepreneurial journey by departing from Sound Ventures, the firm he co-established with Guy Oseary over a decade ago. According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, Kutcher is set to launch a new venture capital fund in collaboration with Morgan Beller, who previously held a prominent position at NFX and was a key figure in Meta’s cryptocurrency initiative, Libra. The name of the new fund has not yet been disclosed, but it marks a significant shift in Kutcher's investment strategy. While Sound Ventures has built its reputation on high-stakes investments in leading AI labs, Kutcher and Beller are pivoting towards early-stage investments in the foundational technologies that support these advancements, such as AI infrastructure and deep tech. Despite his departure from Sound Ventures, there is no indication of any turmoil within the firm. In fact, Sound Ventures continues to thrive, having backed successful companies including Brex and Gusto, as well as being an early investor in industry leaders like OpenAI and Anthropic. This transition seems to reflect differing investment philosophies, with Kutcher favoring early-stage startups while Sound Ventures tends to support more established companies. Kutcher’s relationship with influential figures in the tech world, such as OpenAI's Sam Altman, traces back to before the inception of ChatGPT, demonstrating his long-standing commitment to the tech industry. Although he is leaving his role at Sound, he will still provide advisory support to the firm, indicating a collaborative future. Additionally, Oseary and Sound general partner Effie Epstein will lend their expertise to Kutcher and Beller’s new venture.