Benchstrength, a venture capital firm founded by former General Catalyst investors Ken Chenault Jr. and John Monagle, has closed its inaugural fund, attracting support from prominent investors such as the Ford Foundation and Goldman Sachs. The firm focuses on investing in high-potential pre-seed and seed-stage technology companies across various sectors, including fintech and healthcare. Benchstrength currently has 20 portfolio companies, including AI-driven firms like Altis Labs and Systole Health. Chenault Jr. emphasizes the importance of supporting historically overlooked founders to drive innovation, while partner Roy Swan highlights the benefits of an inclusive investment approach.