RULE 1 IS A VENTURE STUDIO
The capital & team to build your dream.
We design, fund, and build B2B SaaS businesses.
We are dedicated to co-creating entrepreneur-centric companies.
Entrepreneurship is one of life’s most challenging and rewarding endeavors.
We empower you in your founder’s journey by providing the guidance and resources required to be successful.
R1 is founder focused.
Our Partnering Process
We qualify entrepreneurs by their talent, grit, and dedication – not their idea.
Only after identifying an entrepreneur do we evaluate an idea or business.
In as little as 120 days go from an idea to paying customers.
You determine if Rule 1 and its Entrepreneur in Residence model would be a fit for you as an entrepreneur. You learn more about everything that Rule 1 has to offer.
If you agree that Rule 1 can benefit you in your entrepreneurial journey, we next identify, test, and modify your business or idea to ensure Product-Market fit.
Once a path forward is determined, we work at a blistering pace, using proven methodologies, to design and build a working prototype while identifying your first customers.
How Rule 1 is Different
Not all businesses should be backed by traditional venture capital.
Rule 1 is a Venture Studio that is founder-focused and aligned with entrepreneurs.
Rule 1 partners with founders to co-create businesses that scale.
Our Leaders
Our world-class leadership team has the criteria to make your dream a reality.
Combining years of entrepreneurial experience resulting in multiple successful exits.
Proven leaders with the expertise to guide you along the path to success.

Todd Ehrlich, CEO
Founded Kill Cliff, Triserv, BAMFi, FactorCloud, Güten Beer (2018 World Beer Cup Champion). Navy SEAL, Endeavor Outliers Entrepreneur and two time Inc. 500 CEO (#103 & #121) and Vet100 (#11), Navy SEAL Foundation Ambassador

Gary Buxton, COO
Navy F/A-18 Naval Flight Officer, McKinsey & Company consultant. U.S. Naval Academy Systems Engineer, Harvard Business School MBA

Nick Fraunfelder, CRO
Quantum Energy Partners (multi-billion PE fund) Revenue and Operations lead at Clockwise.MD, MDClarity, and PurpleCloud Technologies. Baylor BA, Claremont MA , USC MBA

James Murphy, GP
Founder / Chairman of the Board of Afterburner, Inc. and Advanced Care Partners. Former Air Force F-15 pilot, 2 Inc 500 start ups, author of 7 books on Flawless Execution in business and numerous media appearances.
Interested in applying or learning?
Regardless of where you are in your entrepreneurial journey, we’d love to hear from you. Send a message with some basic information and we’ll be in touch shortly.
Pondering your next career move?
