Solo-founder studio · Est. 2024
Solo-founder AI-native ventures, from small bets to venture-scale.
Grazier Ventures is the solo-founder studio of Duncan Grazier, a three-time CTO. We originate and operate AI-native software companies — each founded and led by one operator. Some are bootstrapped and stay that way. Others are venture-scale from day one and raise when the thesis demands it. A technical advisory practice runs alongside.
01 — Thesis
The solo founder is the new venture-scale unit.
AI-native by default
Every venture is built assuming AI is a peer on the team — in the product, the codebase, and the operations. We design for leverage, not headcount.
One founder per venture
Each company has a single operator accountable end-to-end. Some stay lean and bootstrapped. Others are venture-scale from day one and raise outside capital when the opportunity warrants it.
Technical advisory
A CTO-grade advisory practice for founders, boards, and investors facing decisions that will shape their engineering organization for years. Operates under the Tidehelm brand.
Writing & thinking in public
Essays on engineering leadership, AI, and the craft of building alone with machines. An obligation of operating: to give back the lessons that can only be earned by doing.
02 — Portfolio
What we’re building and operating.
Tidehelm
The advisor founders, investors, and CTOs call before the hardest decisions. CTO mentoring, fractional technical leadership, AI strategy, and board advisory.
tidehelm.io →Highball Platform
An AI-native data platform for real-time trains. Infrastructure, APIs, and tooling for the next generation of rail and transit applications — built and operated by one.
highballplatform.com →Highball.app
Real-time train tracking for families and rail enthusiasts. A consumer app built on top of the Highball Platform — AI turns raw feeds into a delightful, personal experience.
itsmeduncan.com/highball →itsmeduncan.com
Writing on engineering leadership, AI, and building technology teams. Essays, talks, and the long-running personal archive of Duncan Grazier.
itsmeduncan.com →03 — Get in touch