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Blackgate Ventures is a venture capital firm founded in 2012 and based in New York, NY. The firm focuses on early-stage investments in technology and mobile companies, particularly those with disruptive potential. Blackgate Ventures emerged from a collective passion for entrepreneurship among its founders, who sought to back startups capable of transforming their respective industries.
As of now, the firm has approximately 20 employees, which is relatively large for a venture capital firm with limited public portfolio visibility. Blackgate Ventures primarily targets seed and Series A funding rounds, emphasizing its commitment to supporting early-stage companies. Despite its founding in 2012, the firm has not disclosed its fund size, and its current operational status appears uncertain.
Blackgate Ventures has historically been recognized for its operator and entrepreneurial experience among its principals, which has enabled them to provide strategic guidance to portfolio companies. The firm has been noted for its focus on technology sectors, including software, enterprise IT, and mobile advertising, with a geographic focus on the United States.
Blackgate Ventures primarily targets early-stage investments, specifically in seed and Series A rounds. The firm has a strong emphasis on sectors such as software, enterprise IT, internet of things (IoT), mobile advertising, analytics, and data integration. This focus reflects a commitment to identifying startups that demonstrate strong growth potential and possess experienced founding teams capable of navigating the challenges of early-stage growth.
The firm seeks to invest in companies that have the potential to disrupt their respective industries. Blackgate Ventures aims to leverage the entrepreneurial experience of its partners to provide strategic guidance and support to portfolio companies. This approach helps startups not only secure funding but also gain valuable insights and resources necessary for scaling their operations.
While the firm has not disclosed specific check sizes or detailed investment criteria, its historical thesis emphasizes backing technology and mobile companies that can revolutionize their sectors. This focus aligns with the firm’s commitment to fostering innovation and supporting entrepreneurs who are poised to make significant impacts in their fields.
Blackgate Ventures has made a notable investment in the following company:
This investment highlights Blackgate's focus on technology-driven companies within the mobile advertising sector. Despite the limited visibility of additional portfolio companies, Human Demand represents the firm's commitment to supporting startups with disruptive potential in the technology landscape.
Chieh Huang, Managing Partner / Founder — Chieh has a background in entrepreneurship and previously worked at Zynga, where he gained valuable experience in the tech industry.
Jared Yaman, Managing Partner / Founder — Jared also has a history with Zynga in a product management role, contributing to his expertise in technology investments.
Christopher Cheung, Founder — Christopher is recognized as one of the founders of Blackgate Ventures, bringing his entrepreneurial insights to the firm.
William Fong, Founder — William is another founding member of Blackgate Ventures, contributing to the firm's vision and investment strategy.
As of May 2026, Blackgate Ventures appears to be inactive or closed. The last verified investment activity was in March 2013, when the firm participated in a $900K Series A funding round for Human Demand. No recent updates, fundraises, or new investments have been documented since that time.
Various sources, including Crunchbase and Gaebler, indicate that Blackgate Ventures is no longer operational. This lack of recent activity raises questions about the firm's current status and future prospects.
What are Blackgate Ventures' investment criteria?
Blackgate Ventures primarily invests in early-stage technology and mobile companies, focusing on sectors such as software, enterprise IT, IoT, mobile advertising, analytics, and data integration. The firm looks for startups with strong growth potential and experienced founding teams.
How can I pitch to Blackgate Ventures?
Currently, Blackgate Ventures appears to be inactive or closed for new pitches. The firm has not disclosed any specific pitch channels or application processes, and it is advisable for founders to seek alternative investors.
What makes Blackgate Ventures different from other investors?
Blackgate Ventures emphasizes the entrepreneurial experience of its partners, which allows them to provide strategic guidance and support to portfolio companies. This hands-on approach is designed to help startups navigate the challenges of early-stage growth effectively.
What is the geographic focus of Blackgate Ventures?
The firm primarily focuses on investments within the United States, particularly in New York. This geographic concentration allows Blackgate to leverage local market knowledge and networks.
What is the fund size and check size for Blackgate Ventures?
The fund size for Blackgate Ventures has not been disclosed, and specific check sizes are also not available. Historically, the firm has participated in seed and Series A funding rounds.
What is the post-investment involvement of Blackgate Ventures?
Blackgate Ventures aims to provide strategic guidance and operational support to its portfolio companies, leveraging the experience of its partners to assist startups in their growth journeys.
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