500 Startups

What is 500 Startups?

500 Global, previously known as 500 Startups, is a venture capital firm founded in 2010 with headquarters in San Francisco, California.

They specialize in providing seed, early, and later-stage funding to innovative companies across various industries and geographies.

With an investment portfolio that includes companies in the media, consumer services, computer hardware, software, commercial services, Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), mobile, FinTech, Big Data, the Internet of Things, e-commerce, AgTech, and audio tech sectors, they are committed to fostering the growth of the global startup ecosystem.

The firm supports ambitious founders building fast-growing technology companies by focusing on innovation, capital, and ecosystems that can propel startups and unlock long-term value. Their investments span across the United States, Europe, Southeast Asia, Japan, and India.

They look to invest between $10,000 and $13,300,000, with a sweet spot around $250,000. By building a diverse portfolio of over 2,900 startups, including more than 35 companies valued at over $1 billion and more than 160 companies valued at over $100 million, 500 Global has established itself as a prominent player in the venture capital space.

They also offer venture education, resources, networking opportunities, and strive to make venture capital accessible to untapped regions, thereby driving innovation and growth both locally and globally. The company emphasizes that while talent is distributed worldwide, capital and opportunity are not, and they aim to bridge this gap by empowering entrepreneurs and investors with a global mindset.