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Learn which startups Untapped Capital invests in, what size check sizes they write, and who their partners are (e.g. Jessica Jackley).
Key people at Untapped Capital.
Untapped Capital functions as a venture capital fund, specializing in pre-seed investments for early-stage startups. The firm supports founders from outside traditional networks, backing companies with unique insights or approaches targeting large, expanding markets. Its strategy focuses on nurturing innovative businesses during their foundational stages, often before they gain broader industry recognition.
Co-founded by Managing Partner Yohei Nakajima and Jessica Jackley, known for co-founding Kiva, Untapped Capital emerged from an insight into the significant potential of entrepreneurs often bypassed by traditional venture capital. Nakajima's distinctive approach blends investment with active building, providing hands-on support for these emerging ventures.
Untapped Capital's clients are the pre-seed startups receiving their capital and strategic guidance. The firm’s long-term vision aims to cultivate future-defining technologies and enterprises by investing in diverse, innovative talent. They are committed to empowering the next wave of companies poised to influence various sectors.
Key people at Untapped Capital.
Untapped Capital is an early-stage venture capital firm founded in 2020, focused on investing in innovative startups across a broad range of technology sectors. The firm champions *unexpected founders* and emphasizes a generalist investment approach, primarily targeting pre-seed and seed rounds with check sizes ranging from $100K to $500K. Their portfolio spans diverse sectors including consumer products and services, business services, communications and information technology, life sciences and healthcare, and emerging tech areas such as AI, Web3, and climate tech. By supporting early-stage companies, Untapped Capital plays a significant role in nurturing nascent startups and fostering innovation within the U.S. tech ecosystem[1][2][4].
Founded in 2020 by Yohei Nakajima, Untapped Capital emerged with a distinctive “build in public” philosophy, openly sharing prototypes and progress to foster transparency and community engagement. The firm is headquartered in Washington (Bellevue) and led by key partners including Jessica Jackley, Filippo Pedrini, Maggie Curry, and Sergey Plotnikov. Since inception, Untapped Capital has evolved to focus on early-stage investments, leveraging its network and operational expertise to back founders who might be overlooked by traditional venture capital. This approach has helped the firm establish early traction and credibility in the competitive VC landscape[2][3][1].
Untapped Capital rides the wave of democratizing venture capital by backing underrepresented and unexpected founders, aligning with broader trends toward inclusivity and transparency in startup funding. The timing is critical as early-stage tech innovation accelerates across multiple domains such as AI, sustainability, and Web3, where traditional investors may be more cautious. By investing early and openly sharing progress, Untapped Capital influences the ecosystem by encouraging openness, collaboration, and diversity, which can lead to more resilient and innovative startup communities[3][4][1].
Looking ahead, Untapped Capital is well-positioned to capitalize on emerging technology trends and the growing emphasis on founder diversity. Their “build in public” approach may become a more widely adopted model, fostering stronger founder-investor relationships and community engagement. As the startup ecosystem continues to evolve, Untapped Capital’s influence is likely to expand, potentially shaping how early-stage venture capital operates with greater transparency and inclusivity. The firm’s broad sector focus and operational support suggest it will remain a key player in nurturing the next generation of tech innovators[3][4][1].
