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Unshackled Ventures is a venture capital firm founded by immigrants in Sunnyvale, California. Established to support immigrant founders in the United States, the firm aims to eliminate barriers related to immigration and funding. This mission is reflected in their investment strategy, which focuses on providing early-stage funding and resources to entrepreneurs at the 'day 0' stage. The firm has successfully backed over 80 companies and has made significant strides in the startup ecosystem.
As of June 2023, Unshackled Ventures closed its third fund, totaling $35 million, with a strong institutional LP base comprising 73% of the fund. The firm has a history of supporting immigrant entrepreneurs, having made over 230 immigration filings to assist founders with visa applications and green cards. This unique approach allows founders to concentrate on building their businesses without the added stress of immigration challenges.
Unshackled Ventures invests primarily in early-stage companies, specifically at the pre-seed and seed stages. The firm focuses on immigrant-founded startups across various sectors, including AI, healthcare, food and agriculture, climate and energy, and space technology. They typically lead pre-seed rounds, investing between $300,000 and $750,000 per deal, with a preference for capital-efficient founders. This investment strategy is designed to support entrepreneurs who may not yet have secured product, revenue, or visa.
The firm’s thesis emphasizes backing immigrant founders exclusively in the US, providing not only capital but also full immigration support, including visa sponsorship. This structural differentiator allows Unshackled Ventures to fill the funding gap that many immigrant entrepreneurs face, particularly at the earliest stages of their ventures.
Unshackled Ventures has built a diverse portfolio of over 80 companies, showcasing its commitment to supporting immigrant entrepreneurs. Notable portfolio companies include:
These companies represent a range of sectors and demonstrate the firm’s focus on innovative solutions that address pressing global challenges.
Manan Mehta - Founding Partner. Manan has a background in venture capital and entrepreneurship, bringing valuable insights into the startup ecosystem. He is a US native and provides a domestic perspective to the firm’s operations.
Shaherose Charania - Partner. Shaherose has extensive experience in venture capital and has been instrumental in supporting immigrant founders through her work at Unshackled Ventures.
Eric Ries - 'Incorruptible' Partner. Eric is a well-known entrepreneur and author, contributing his expertise in startup methodologies to the firm.
Alexis Zamira Maciel - Principal. Alexis focuses on sourcing and evaluating investment opportunities, leveraging her background in technology and entrepreneurship.
Fernanda Sesto - Investment Analyst. Fernanda supports the investment team in due diligence and portfolio management, bringing analytical skills to the firm.
Michael Serotte - Immigration Partner. Michael specializes in immigration law, providing essential support to portfolio companies navigating visa and immigration challenges.
Rita Georges - Immigration Partner. Rita works alongside Michael to assist founders with immigration matters, ensuring they have the necessary support to succeed.
Nitin Pachisia - Partner Emeritus. Nitin co-founded Unshackled Ventures and has a deep commitment to supporting immigrant entrepreneurs.
To pitch Unshackled Ventures, founders should visit their website and fill out the application form. The firm prefers detailed decks that outline the business model, market opportunity, and team background. Founders should include information about their immigration status and any support they may need in this area. Response times can vary, but founders can expect to hear back within a few weeks. Warm introductions are beneficial but not mandatory.
In June 2023, Unshackled Ventures closed its third fund, raising $35 million to continue its mission of supporting immigrant founders. This fund has a strong institutional LP base, with 73% of the funding coming from institutional investors. Recent investments from Fund III include notable companies such as Masa Finance, which focuses on web3 identity infrastructure, Cache Energy, specializing in long-duration energy storage, and Formally, a generative AI legal tech company.
Throughout its history, Unshackled Ventures has backed over 80 companies and supported more than 200 entrepreneurs. Portfolio companies have collectively raised over $700 million in follow-on capital from top-tier investors, showcasing the firm’s impact on the startup ecosystem.
What are Unshackled Ventures' investment criteria?
Unshackled Ventures exclusively invests in immigrant-founded startups at the pre-seed and seed stages. They look for capital-efficient founders who are often at the 'day 0' stage, meaning they may not yet have a product, revenue, or visa secured. The firm focuses on various sectors, including AI, healthcare, food and agriculture, climate and energy, and space technology.
How can founders apply or pitch to Unshackled Ventures?
Founders interested in pitching to Unshackled Ventures can fill out a form on their website. The firm encourages entrepreneurs to provide detailed information about their business, including their vision, market opportunity, and team background.
What makes Unshackled Ventures different from other VC firms?
Unshackled Ventures is unique in its exclusive focus on immigrant founders in the US. They provide not only capital but also comprehensive immigration support, including visa sponsorship, which addresses a critical need for many immigrant entrepreneurs. This dual support system allows founders to concentrate on building their businesses without the added stress of immigration challenges.
What is the geographic scope of Unshackled Ventures?
The firm invests globally, focusing on immigrant-founded startups in the United States. Their mission is to support entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds, regardless of their country of origin.
What is the typical check size for investments?
Unshackled Ventures typically invests between $300,000 and $750,000 per deal. They lead pre-seed rounds and are open to larger investments in specific verticals.
What kind of post-investment involvement does Unshackled Ventures have?
Unshackled Ventures provides ongoing support to its portfolio companies, including assistance with immigration matters and access to a network of resources that can help founders navigate the challenges of building a startup.
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