LAUNCH

LAUNCH, founded by prominent angel investor and entrepreneur Jason Calacanis, operates as a multifaceted organization dedicated to supporting early-stage startups and fostering innovation. Headquartered in San Francisco, California, LAUNCH distinguishes itself through a unique ecosystem that combines direct angel investments, a robust syndicate network, an accelerator program, and a powerful media arm. This integrated approach allows LAUNCH to identify, fund, and amplify promising ventures, leveraging Calacanis's extensive network and media presence to provide founders with capital, mentorship, and significant exposure.

The core of LAUNCH's investment strategy revolves around early-stage technology companies, primarily at the pre-seed and seed stages. While Jason Calacanis is a prolific individual angel investor, LAUNCH often pools capital through its syndicate, enabling larger check sizes and broader participation from accredited investors. This syndicate model allows LAUNCH to lead or co-lead seed rounds, providing critical early capital to startups with disruptive potential. Their investment thesis typically favors scalable software, consumer internet, and enterprise SaaS solutions, seeking out founders with strong vision and execution capabilities.

LAUNCH boasts an impressive portfolio of companies that have gone on to achieve significant success. Among its most celebrated early investments is Uber, where Jason Calacanis famously invested $25,000, yielding a return reportedly exceeding $100 million. Beyond individual triumphs, LAUNCH has invested in over 400 companies, including other household names like Calm, Robinhood, and Thumbtack. The LAUNCH ecosystem extends beyond direct investment, encompassing the "This Week in Startups" podcast, which serves as a vital resource for entrepreneurs, and the annual LAUNCH Festival, a major industry event. This comprehensive support system provides founders with unparalleled access to capital, strategic advice, and market visibility, solidifying LAUNCH's position as a pivotal player in the early-stage venture landscape.