Tandem

What is Tandem?

Tandem is an investment fund that specializes in seed-stage funding for companies poised to disrupt traditional industries with a focus on technology and go-to-market innovation.

With an investment range between $500,000 and $2,000,000 and a sweet spot at $1,000,000, Tandem concentrates on software, hardware and manufacturing, retail and e-commerce, cosmetics and fashion, entertainment and sports, IoT and wearables, web security and privacy, gaming and eSports, cloud services and infrastructure, food and beverage, local commerce, messaging, payments, investment management, mobile, and online social sectors.

However, they do not invest in life sciences, med devices, or deep science. They are particularly interested in businesses with a leveraged go-to-market model, favoring spaces like marketplaces, platforms as a service, and IoT, whether geared toward consumer or B2B markets.

Tandem's portfolio exhibits their strategy of backing stellar teams with the potential to significantly alter their respective industry landscapes through technological innovation and customer acquisition strategies. Tandem offers more than just financial investment; they act as a long-term investment partner, leading or co-leading funding rounds and providing follow-on funding as needed.

The fund's deep industry expertise is concentrated in areas where technology can substantially reshape the environment, such as transportation and logistics, media and entertainment, food, beverage, consumer packaged goods, and construction and real estate.

They seek disruptive startups that innovate customer acquisition, distribution channels, and brand building, as exemplified in their selective portfolio. Tandem's approach is demonstrated by their support for startups like Tile, where they acted as an extended go-to-market team, and their willingness to work hands-on with founders to explore various business models. Founders often cite Tandem's real-world operating experience and persistent advocacy as key reasons for partnering with them.

Although Tandem is based in the Bay Area, they invest in startups globally, as long as there's a meaningful connection to Silicon Valley.