Mana Ventures Scout Program

Overview

Mana Ventures' Scout Program enables external deal sourcing through a network-driven approach to early-stage deep tech and AI investment. The program leverages experienced angels, operators, and entrepreneurs to identify high-quality companies across frontier technologies before institutional capital recognizes opportunities.

Thesis & Focus

Mana Ventures focuses on outsized-return deep tech verticals including artificial intelligence, data systems, robotics, automation, space technology, defense, health tech, and biotech. Check sizes typically range from $100,000 to $1,000,000. The firm does not lead rounds but participates in syndicated investments with experienced co-investors.

Designed for Founders, Operators, Scouts, Investors. The program is remote. Participation is generally async.

Eligibility and Requirements

Accreditation: Not required to participate as a scout. The program welcomes individuals without formal investor status.

Investment Focus: Mana targets Seed through Series C companies in deep tech and AI with:
- $250K–$1M annual recurring revenue (typical early-stage metric)
- Proven product-market fit
- Quality lead investors
- Sufficient runway ($2M–$10M typically)

Admissions

Scouts pitch a startup through Mana's scout page with company name, deal terms, co-investors, and deck (S1). Mana reviews submissions, checks fit, and asks for founder introduction if interested within about 48 hours (S1). Once Mana invests, it sends a carry side letter after deal close (S1).

What You Get

Scouts get a way to monetize deal flow without writing an angel check. Mana frames the benefit as earning carry equal to the economics of writing a $25k-$50k angel check, plus learning how to source, diligence, and invest like a GP (S1). Scouts can scale their network, connect with founders, demonstrate value by bringing capital, and potentially invest personally in the SPV without extra carry or fees (S1).

The program operates on a three-step framework designed for simplicity and rapid feedback loops, with a 48-hour response commitment from the Mana team.

Mana reports that more than 100 informal scouts have already shared carry on funded deals since 2019, prompting the formal program rollout in 2024. These referrals include AI infrastructure, space‑tech and robotics companies now featured in Mana’s 300‑plus‑investment portfolio.