Nat Friedman

Nat Friedman is a highly influential entrepreneur, developer, and investor, renowned for his significant contributions to the software industry. As the co-founder of Xamarin, a mobile development platform acquired by Microsoft, and later as the CEO of GitHub, he has demonstrated a profound understanding of developer ecosystems and product-led growth. His investment philosophy is deeply rooted in his operational expertise, focusing primarily on companies building foundational technologies, developer tools, artificial intelligence, and open-source solutions. Friedman's unique perspective as a builder and operator makes him a highly sought-after angel investor and strategic partner for early-stage startups.

Beyond his personal angel investments, Friedman is a General Partner at Inovia Capital's Discovery Fund, a dedicated vehicle launched in 2023 with a substantial capital pool of $100 million. This fund specifically targets pre-seed and seed-stage companies that are leveraging AI to redefine industries or creating essential tools for developers. Through this fund, Friedman actively seeks out ambitious founders who are tackling complex technical challenges and have the potential for significant long-term impact. His involvement often extends beyond capital, providing invaluable mentorship and strategic guidance to portfolio companies.

As an active angel investor, Nat Friedman has amassed a diverse portfolio, participating in more than 100 investment rounds across various early-stage companies. His typical first check sizes for personal angel investments can range from $50,000 for highly promising pre-seed ventures to $250,000, reflecting his conviction in nascent ideas. When investing through the Inovia Capital Discovery Fund, the initial investment range expands significantly, often starting from $500,000 and potentially reaching up to $3,000,000 for leading or co-leading seed and Series A rounds. This broad range allows him to support companies at different stages of their early development.

Friedman's investment strategy is characterized by a long-term vision and a preference for technical founders who are deeply passionate about their products. He leverages his extensive network and experience in scaling technology companies to help his portfolio companies navigate critical growth phases. His commitment to fostering innovation in the developer and AI space positions him as a pivotal figure in the venture capital landscape, offering both financial backing and strategic partnership to the next generation of tech leaders.