We are studio of curious entrepreneurs & investors with big ambitions.
Part venture lab, part digital studio, always curious.
Founded by Kelly Smith in 2007, we have three decades of building, investing, and growing digital products. We're still driven by the same curiosity that started our journey. We're always looking for new ideas that scratch an itch, new problems to solve, and new partners who share our passion for creating purposeful digital experiences.
Latest projects
Hedfirst
Comprehensive telehealth that combines licensed providers with AI medical analysis, labs and prescription medications.
Teligant
Developing the most advanced telehealth commerce software platform and prescription brands.
Zeitcore
The first purpose-built data hub developed specifically for Shopify.
Other projects
Axacraft
IN-house project
Internally developed and funded at Curious Office. Launched in 2022. Axacraft is an alternative to "big consulting", offering all of the sophistication but with boutique agency execution capabilities. Clients include LG and others.
Buuteeq
Acquired by Priceline.
Investment by Curious Office. Buuteeq revolutionized hotel marketing with a cloud-based platform that equipped independent properties with professional websites, booking engines, and digital marketing tools.
Fanzter
Acquired by ESPN.
Fanzter is a provider of consumer facing mobile applications and websites. A few apps developed by them include Coolspotters, CoolPapers, Streaks, and Summizer. Operates out of Unionville, Connecticut.
Shelfari
Acquired by Amazon.
Investment by Curious Office. Shelfari created a pioneering social network for book lovers that allowed users to build virtual bookshelves, discover new reads through friends, and engage in literary discussions before being acquired by Amazon in 2008.
Sparkbuy
Acquired by Google.
Sparkby was an online service that allows users to compare the prices and features of various electronics gadgets. (TVs, laptops, etc.).
thePlatform
Acquired by Comcast.
thePlatform is a Seattle-based media-publishing-delivery firm that was already a supplier, to help in its efforts to expand distribution of video services over the Internet.
Imagekind
Acquired by Cafe Press.
Developed internally by Curious Office. The first sight of its kind which allowed artists to upload and sell framed prints of their pieces, and also allows users to purchase one-off prints of their own images.
Zapd
in-house project
Funded by Curious Office. Zapd let users create instant websites from mobile. It was Apple’s “App of the Week.”
Freak'n Genius
INVESTMENT BY CURIOUS OFFICE.
Fanzter is a provider of consumer facing mobile applications and websites. A few apps developed by them include Coolspotters, CoolPapers, Streaks, and Summizer. Operates out of Unionville, Connecticut.
MadRaces
DEVELOPED BY CURIOUS OFFICE.
App allowed users to any real world event into a virtual race.
Scoutzie
INVESTORS INCLUDED YC, 500 GLOBAL, SV ANGEL.
Scoutzie was a curated marketplace for mobile designers to connect with clients.
Moz
INVESTMENT BY iContact Marketing Corp
Original seed investor in this leading SEO software company: Tools and Resources for Better Marketing. Investment by Curious Office.
Inkd
ACQUIRED BY ALPHAGRAPHICS.
Inkd was a print template marketplace for designers and businesses. Founded by Curious Office.
ooBible
INVESTMENT BY CURIOUS OFFICE.
ooBible was a digital content platform for eBible.
Wishpot
Acquired by Lockerz.
Design and development work for this leading social commerce platform for retailers, publishers and consumers.
Bonanza
INVESTMENT BY CURIOUS OFFICE.
Shopping marketplace. Sold in 2023. Bonanza is an online shopping marketplace for buyers and sellers.
Elli
Acquired by The Knot.
Elli offers a curated marketplace of customizable products, from invitations to day of decor and gifts, for to-be-weds.
Rouxbe
DESIGN & DEV BY CURIOUS OFFICE.
Online cooking school. Rouxbe provides interactive online culinary education.
FeedDigest
INVESTMENT BY CURIOUS OFFICE.
FeedDigest was an RSS feed service for aggregation and personalization.
Glympse
DESIGN BY CURIOUS OFFICE.
Glympse is a location-sharing app providing real-time location visibility. Location sharing app. Mobile design work.
RealSelf
SITE DESIGN BY CURIOUS OFFICE.
Medical beauty website. Acquired Zapd - mobile and site design.
Who we are
We selectively invest in early-stage companies with founders who value hands-on partners. Our approach is distinct from traditional VC—we're builders first, which means we bring practical expertise alongside capital. Additionally, we conceive, build, and scale our own ideas. We leverage our extensive digital capabilities to transform concepts into market-ready ventures, providing not just capital but the full spectrum of expertise needed to build successful digital businesses.
Founded in 2007 by Kelly Smith in the Pacific Northwest, Curious Office has evolved from a seed-stage LLC into a distinctive hybrid: part venture lab, part digital studio, and part investment firm. We're entrepreneurs who build, fund, and nurture companies that create meaningful digital experiences.
If you think we're potentially a good fit for your company, we'd love to hear from you.
How we work
We are excited to work alongside you every day. We strategize with you to help you manage the road to success and maneuver through the rough patches that are sure to come. Our network and industry expertise is available to help with recruiting, strategic communications, business development, future fundraising, and customer and partner introductions. When we invest, companies have a trusted board member and the entire Madrona venture growth team of experts behind them.
Primary interests
We’re particularly passionate about the areas where transformative potential is most evident: Intelligent Applications, AI-driven agents and infrastructure, Low-Code/No-Code platforms, AI-enabled Healthcare & Biotech, and next-generation consumer applications. These are the domains where we see extraordinary opportunities to drive innovation and create lasting impact.
Our commitment
We are committed to our founders and to making Curious Office a great partner to work with. As our name implies, we prioritize vision and curiousity as we're obsessed by what could be and what the future will be. We work to live our values of curiosity, respect, passion, commitment, and humility.