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The Halo Fund, established in 2025, is a growth-stage venture capital firm located in Sandy, Utah. Founded by Ryan Smith and Ryan Sweeney, the fund has a target size of USD 1 billion and focuses on high-growth technology companies. The firm aims to leverage the cultural momentum of sports and entertainment to help startups scale rapidly. This unique approach positions the Halo Fund as a key player in the experience economy, where technology and culture intersect.
In its first nine months, the Halo Fund has invested nearly USD 300 million across eight companies, showcasing its commitment to supporting innovative technology ventures. The fund's strategy emphasizes not only providing capital but also facilitating access to networks and opportunities that enhance market reach. The Halo Fund operates primarily in North America, with a strong emphasis on the United States.
As the firm continues to grow, it aims to connect transformative companies with the resources necessary to thrive. The Halo Fund's focus on sectors such as AI, SaaS, cybersecurity, legaltech, media, healthcare, payments, and consumer products reflects its commitment to backing companies that can leverage cultural relevance for accelerated growth.
The Halo Fund specializes in growth equity investments in technology startups that operate at the intersection of sports, entertainment, and culture. The firm targets high-growth businesses that can benefit from the cultural momentum associated with these sectors. The fund's investment strategy includes a focus on sectors such as AI, SaaS, cybersecurity, legaltech, media, healthcare, payments, and consumer products.
Investment stages are primarily growth equity, indicating that the fund seeks to invest in companies that have already achieved significant traction and are looking to scale further. While specific check sizes are not disclosed, the fund has demonstrated a willingness to make substantial investments, as evidenced by its nearly USD 300 million deployment across eight companies in its initial months.
The Halo Fund's thesis emphasizes the importance of combining capital with access to cultural momentum to accelerate adoption. This approach allows the fund to support companies that can leverage their connections within the sports and entertainment sectors to enhance their growth trajectories. Founders seeking investment from the Halo Fund should be prepared to demonstrate how their technology can integrate with or benefit from these cultural elements.
The Halo Fund's portfolio includes a diverse range of technology companies that exemplify its investment strategy. Notable portfolio companies include:
In total, the fund has invested in eight companies within its first nine months, demonstrating a strong commitment to backing innovative technology ventures. The remaining six companies in the portfolio have not been publicly disclosed, but the fund's focus on high-growth sectors suggests they are likely to be in similar domains such as AI, cybersecurity, and media.
Ryan Smith — Co-Founder and General Partner. Ryan is the co-founder and executive chairman of Qualtrics and owner of the Utah Jazz and Utah Mammoth. He brings extensive experience in technology and sports management to the fund.
Ryan Sweeney — Co-Founder and General Partner. Ryan is a longtime partner at Accel, where he focused on growth investments in cloud/SaaS, consumer, and fintech sectors. He co-founded the Halo Experience Company with Smith and has a strong background in venture capital.
Sarah Machado — Team member listed on LinkedIn, with specific roles and expertise not publicly detailed.
Bradley Cagle — Team member listed on LinkedIn, with specific roles and expertise not publicly detailed.
Maxwell Sloat — Team member listed on LinkedIn, with specific roles and expertise not publicly detailed.
To pitch The Halo Fund, founders should send an email to info@halofund.com. It is recommended to include a comprehensive pitch deck that outlines the business model, market opportunity, and alignment with the fund's focus on technology and cultural momentum. Founders should expect a response within a few weeks, but timelines may vary based on the volume of inquiries.
Warm introductions are preferred, especially from mutual connections within the sports or entertainment industries, as this can enhance the likelihood of securing a meeting with the fund's partners.
In April 2025, The Halo Fund was officially launched, with Ryan Smith and Ryan Sweeney at the helm. The fund targets a size of USD 1 billion and focuses on growth-stage technology companies.
In September 2025, The Halo Fund co-led a USD 400 million financing round for Filevine, a legal operating intelligence platform, showcasing its commitment to high-growth technology ventures.
In October 2025, the fund made a strategic secondary investment in 1Password, marking it as a flagship investment in the cybersecurity sector.
What are The Halo Fund's investment criteria?
The Halo Fund focuses on high-growth technology companies operating at the intersection of sports, entertainment, and culture. They seek startups that can leverage cultural momentum to accelerate growth.
How can I pitch The Halo Fund?
Founders can reach out via email at info@halofund.com. It is advisable to include a detailed pitch deck that outlines the business model, market opportunity, and how the startup aligns with the fund's focus areas.
What makes The Halo Fund different from other VCs?
The Halo Fund uniquely combines capital investment with access to networks in sports and entertainment, allowing portfolio companies to leverage cultural relevance for accelerated growth.
What is the geographic focus of The Halo Fund?
The fund primarily invests in North America, with a strong emphasis on the United States, particularly in regions like Utah and the San Francisco Bay Area.
What is the typical check size for investments?
While specific check sizes are not disclosed, the fund has demonstrated a willingness to make significant investments, as seen in their recent transactions with Filevine and 1Password.
What kind of post-investment support does The Halo Fund provide?
The Halo Fund offers strategic guidance, access to industry networks, and collaboration opportunities within the sports and entertainment sectors to help portfolio companies scale effectively.
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