Unshackled Ventures

# Unshackled Ventures: Unlocking Immigrant Entrepreneurship

High-Level Overview

Unshackled Ventures is an early-stage venture capital fund dedicated exclusively to immigrant-founded startups. Its mission is to empower immigrant entrepreneurs by providing the critical “friends and family” capital, immigration support, and community resources that are often out of reach for this group. The firm invests across a broad range of sectors, including biotech, climate tech, robotics, healthcare, and enterprise software, with a focus on founders at the earliest stages of company building. By removing the dual barriers of access to capital and immigration uncertainty, Unshackled Ventures is helping to diversify the startup ecosystem and drive innovation that reflects the full spectrum of American talent.

The fund’s impact is already evident: it has backed more than 15 companies, which have collectively created over 50 jobs and generated significant revenue. Unshackled Ventures’ approach is not just about funding—it’s about enabling immigrant founders to build lasting, world-changing companies while navigating the complex U.S. immigration system.

Origin Story

Founded in 2015 by Manan Mehta and Nitin Pachisia, both immigrant entrepreneurs themselves, Unshackled Ventures was born out of firsthand experience with the challenges faced by immigrant founders. Mehta and Pachisia recognized that while immigrants are a vital engine of innovation in the U.S., they often lack the early-stage capital and immigration support needed to launch and scale startups. The firm’s name reflects its mission: to “unshackle” immigrant entrepreneurs from the constraints that hold them back.

Since its inception, Unshackled Ventures has evolved from a niche fund into a recognized leader in inclusive venture capital. Its partnership with the state of California in 2023—receiving a $4.1 million investment through the Expanding Venture Capital Access program—marked a pivotal moment, signaling broader institutional recognition of the need for more inclusive funding models.

Core Differentiators

• Exclusive Focus on Immigrant Founders: Unshackled Ventures is the only VC fund that invests solely in immigrant-founded startups, addressing a critical gap in the ecosystem.
• Comprehensive Immigration Support: The firm sponsors visas (including H1B, O1, EB1, and more), files immigration paperwork, and provides ongoing guidance, allowing founders to focus on building their companies.
• Friends and Family Capital: Unshackled fills the crucial early-stage funding gap that many immigrant founders face, typically investing between $100,000 and $400,000 per company.
• Community and Mentorship: Beyond capital, the fund offers access to a network of seasoned professionals, educational resources, and a supportive community of fellow immigrant founders.
• Proven Track Record: With over 145 immigrant founders supported and 300+ immigration filings completed, Unshackled has demonstrated its ability to drive both company growth and founder success.

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

Unshackled Ventures is riding a powerful trend: the increasing recognition that diversity drives innovation. As the U.S. grapples with restrictive immigration policies and a shrinking pipeline of immigrant-founded startups, Unshackled’s model is more relevant than ever. The firm is helping to reverse the decline in immigrant entrepreneurship by providing the resources and support that enable founders to build companies without sacrificing their immigration status.

The timing is critical. With global competition for talent intensifying and the U.S. facing a shortage of skilled workers, Unshackled Ventures is not just filling a market gap—it’s shaping the future of American innovation. By championing immigrant founders, the fund is helping to ensure that the U.S. remains a magnet for global talent and a leader in technological advancement.

Quick Take & Future Outlook

Unshackled Ventures is poised to play an even greater role in the coming years as the demand for inclusive venture capital grows. The firm’s partnership with the state of California is likely to inspire similar initiatives in other states, further expanding access to capital for underrepresented founders. As immigration policy continues to evolve, Unshackled’s expertise in navigating the system will become increasingly valuable.

Looking ahead, Unshackled Ventures is well-positioned to influence the broader tech ecosystem by setting a new standard for how venture capital can support diversity and inclusion. Its success will not only be measured in the growth of its portfolio companies, but in the broader impact it has on making the American Dream accessible to all entrepreneurs, regardless of their background.

Unshackled Ventures is more than a fund—it’s a movement to unlock the full potential of immigrant entrepreneurs and ensure that the next era of innovation is as diverse as America itself.