Discover if this is a suitable investor for your startup. If they are we'll make a warm introduction for free. Otherwise, we'll connect you with matching investors.
Floodgate is a venture capital firm founded in 2006 by Mike Maples Jr. and Ann Miura-Ko, based in Menlo Park, California. The firm is recognized for pioneering the micro-VC model, which targets early-stage startups at the pre-seed and seed stages. Floodgate has established itself as a key player in the venture capital landscape, focusing on backing visionary founders before they achieve traction or product/market fit.
As of now, Floodgate manages a total of $146 million across eight funds, with a history of 422 investments and 103 exits. The firm has consistently emphasized the importance of maintaining small fund sizes, typically ranging from $75 million to $150 million, to optimize for outsized returns from seed-stage investments. Notable milestones include the successful exits of companies like Twitter, Lyft, and Okta, showcasing the firm's ability to identify and support high-potential startups.
Floodgate specializes in investing in early-stage startups, particularly at the pre-seed and seed stages, with check sizes ranging from $150,000 to $1 million. The firm employs Mike Maples' "Inflection Theory" framework to identify and support exceptional founders, termed "Prime Movers," who are navigating significant technological or market shifts. The focus areas include AI, enterprise software, healthcare, consumer technology, fintech, and crypto.
The firm operates with a 70/30 portfolio model, allocating approximately 70% of its capital for initial checks and 30% for selective follow-on investments. This strategy allows Floodgate to provide meaningful support to breakout companies while maintaining a concentrated portfolio. The firm’s intentional approach to fund size and investment strategy positions it uniquely within the venture capital space, aiming for outsized returns from its seed-stage investments.
Floodgate has made a total of 422 investments, with 103 notable exits. The firm’s portfolio includes several high-profile companies that have achieved significant success:
Recent investments include:
Other recent deals include Bluejay ($4M Seed), Plug ($6.7M Seed), and Replenysh ($8M Series A), indicating Floodgate's active engagement in the startup ecosystem.
Mike Maples Jr. - Co-Founder and Partner. He is an 8-time member of the Forbes Midas List and the author of the 2024 bestseller "Pattern Breakers." His expertise lies in pattern recognition and venture capital.
Ann Miura-Ko - Co-Founder and Partner. She holds a PhD from Stanford in cybersecurity math modeling and is also a member of the Forbes Midas List. Ann is recognized for her deep technical knowledge and investment acumen.
Iris Choi - Partner. Iris brings experience in venture capital and has been involved in numerous successful investments across various sectors.
Mike Heller - Partner. Mike has a strong background in technology investments and has played a key role in Floodgate's portfolio management.
Lori Simotas - CFO. Lori oversees the financial operations of the firm, ensuring sound financial management and reporting.
Lisa Del Ben - Director of Operations. Lisa manages the operational aspects of the firm, facilitating smooth internal processes.
Sam Beskind - Associate. Sam supports the investment team in sourcing and evaluating new opportunities.
Helen Moore - Associate. Helen assists in deal sourcing and portfolio management, contributing to the firm's investment strategy.
When pitching to Floodgate, founders should clearly articulate their vision and how they plan to navigate market shifts. Including data on market potential and technological inflections will strengthen the pitch.
On August 1, 2025, Floodgate made a notable investment in Bluejay, contributing $4 million in a seed round. Earlier in April 2025, the firm invested $6.7 million in Plug during its seed round and $8 million in Replenysh's Series A round.
Floodgate has also been actively investing in AI-focused companies, with recent investments in Hebbia, Counsel Health, and SmarterDX, the latter of which is projected for a $1 billion+ exit in 2025. Additionally, Mike Maples Jr. published the national bestseller "Pattern Breakers" in 2024, further establishing his thought leadership in the venture capital space.
What are Floodgate's investment criteria?
Floodgate focuses on early-stage startups at the pre-seed and seed stages, primarily investing in sectors such as AI, fintech, healthcare, consumer technology, and enterprise software. The firm looks for visionary founders who are termed "Prime Movers" and are navigating significant technological or market shifts.
How can founders apply or pitch to Floodgate?
Founders can pitch to Floodgate by reaching out through their website or via warm introductions from existing connections. A clear presentation of the business model, market opportunity, and the team’s background is essential in the pitch deck.
What makes Floodgate different from other venture capital firms?
Floodgate is distinguished by its pioneering micro-VC model, focusing on small fund sizes to optimize for outsized returns. The firm employs the "Inflection Theory" framework to identify startups that are positioned to capitalize on significant market changes.
What is the geographic scope of Floodgate's investments?
Floodgate primarily invests in North America, with a strong focus on Silicon Valley and other key innovation hubs.
What is Floodgate's post-investment involvement like?
The firm emphasizes a deep founder-first partnership, providing essential support and resources to help founders navigate the challenges of building their companies. This includes mentorship, operational support, and follow-on investment behavior.
What is the typical check size for Floodgate's investments?
Floodgate typically invests between $150,000 and $1 million in its portfolio companies, with a focus on seed and pre-seed funding rounds.
All trademarks, logos and brand names are the property of their respective owners. All company, product and service names used in this website are for identification purposes only. Use of these names, trademarks, and brands does not imply endorsement.