economy
May 7, 2026
This former a16z partner and solo VC has backed 6 unicorns. Now he's raised $50 million to invest in hard tech
Refactor Capital, the firm founded by solo VC Zal Bilimoria, just closed a $50 million fifth fund to invest in hard tech.
TL;DR
- Solo VC Zal Bilimoria closed a $50 million fifth fund for his firm, Refactor Capital.
- Bilimoria raised the fund quickly through phone calls and capped it at $50 million to remain a solo operator.
- The fund will invest in pre-seed and seed-stage startups, focusing on generalist hard-tech and physical-world problems.
- Refactor Capital has backed six unicorns, including Solugen and Astranis.
- Bilimoria's hands-on approach with founders earned him the nickname 'Better Call Zal'.