Founded in 2021 by Dan Teran and James Gettinger, the firm has distinguished itself through a high-touch operational model. According to Cambridge Associates benchmarks, both of the firm’s previous funds rank in the top quartile of their respective vintages. Data from Carta suggests that companies supported by Gutter are twice as likely to progress from seed to Series B rounds compared to industry averages. This performance is largely attributed to the firm’s intensive involvement in early strategic decisions and team recruitment.

To manage this growth, Teran and Gettinger have expanded their senior operating bench, recently adding Vince Li as Head of Product to assist portfolio companies with engineering and design. The Elbow Grease accelerator, which launched its inaugural cohort in January 2026, serves as a focal point for this strategy. The upcoming fall cohort will accommodate up to 15 teams, with each receiving a $300,000 initial investment and 10 weeks of direct mentorship at the firm's Chinatown headquarters. Applications for the program remain open until July 31, 2026, with the session scheduled to run from mid-September through November.