The Chainsmokers

The Chainsmokers, the Grammy Award-winning electronic music duo consisting of Drew Taggart and Alex Pall, have successfully transitioned into the venture capital landscape through their firm, Mantis VC. Launched in 2020, Mantis VC represents a strategic diversification of their entrepreneurial pursuits, leveraging their extensive network and understanding of consumer trends, particularly within the entertainment and creator economy sectors. Their move into venture capital was driven by a desire to support innovative startups and contribute to the evolution of industries they are passionate about.

Mantis VC primarily focuses on early-stage investments, targeting seed and Series A rounds. The firm seeks out companies that are disrupting traditional markets or building new platforms, with a particular interest in technology, consumer brands, and the broader entertainment space, including music tech, gaming, and social platforms. Beyond capital, Taggart and Pall aim to provide significant value-add to their portfolio companies, offering their expertise in branding, marketing, and access to their vast network of industry contacts, which can be invaluable for nascent startups seeking to scale.

Since its inception, Mantis VC has established itself as a notable player in the early-stage investment ecosystem. The firm typically writes first checks ranging from $500,000 to $1,000,000, demonstrating a commitment to meaningful early-stage participation. Their debut fund, raised in 2020, successfully closed at $35 million, providing them with substantial capital to deploy across their investment thesis. This financial backing, combined with their unique celebrity status and operational insights, positions Mantis VC as a distinctive and attractive partner for founders looking for more than just funding.