Charge Ventures

Charge Ventures is a New York-based venture capital firm primarily focused on early-stage investments, specifically at the Seed and Pre-Seed stages. Founded by Ryan Smith and David Goldberg, the firm leverages its founders' extensive experience, which includes personal investments in over 100 companies that have collectively raised more than $10 billion in follow-on capital. While these iconic companies like Braze, Chime, and Peloton represent the founders' prior track record, Charge Ventures itself is dedicated to identifying and nurturing the next generation of disruptive startups.

The firm's investment strategy is largely industry-agnostic, though it demonstrates a particular interest in sectors such as SaaS, Fintech, Marketplaces, and Consumer technology. Charge Ventures typically deploys initial checks ranging from $250,000 to $1 million, positioning itself as a crucial early capital provider for nascent companies. A key aspect of their approach is reserving significant capital for follow-on rounds, indicating a commitment to supporting their portfolio companies through subsequent growth stages.

Since its inception, Charge Ventures has actively built a robust portfolio. The firm successfully raised its first fund, Charge Ventures I, in 2019 with $25 million, followed by a larger second fund, Charge Ventures II, in 2022, securing $50 million. This brings their total assets under management to approximately $75 million. With over 60 investments to date, Charge Ventures has established itself as a prolific early-stage investor, often taking lead positions in funding rounds and providing strategic guidance to its portfolio companies.