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Unshackled Ventures

Unshackled Ventures, based in California, backs generalist pre-seed startups with $250k to $500k checks, mostly leading rounds, including Faeth Therapeutics and Lynk.

Website
Entry stagePre-seed
Check size$250K to $500K
Leads roundsYes
FocusGeneralist
Latest fundn/a
Investing team4 peopleNo activity since Sep

Who you would pitch at Unshackled Ventures

4 people on the investing team, 3 of them partners who can make the call. Partners are listed first.

Manan MehtaFounding PartnerHe helps founders by removing bottlenecks and amplifying their capabilities.
Eric RiesPartnerHe serves as an "Incorruptible" Partner at Unshackled Ventures.
Shaherose CharaniaPartnerShe has experience as an operator, founder, and angel investor focusing on immigrant founders.
Alexis MacielPrincipalShe joined the firm in 2022 and helps source investments for immigrant founders.

Work here and something is wrong? Ask for a correction.

Writes $250K to $500K checks. Its smallest check is larger than 33% of firms in the atlas.

Bars: how many firms in the atlas report each band. Highlighted: this firm.

No recent activity since September 2026. Quiet does not mean closed.

Weekly count of activity updates. Activity is not a confirmed deal.

Before you pitch

Ownership target10-12%
How to reach them[email protected]

Notable investments

Faeth TherapeuticsLynkDestro AIApolinkDaxo RoboticsTextQLAtlas Wearable

In their words

Unshackled Ventures — We Say YES Before Anyone Else WillThe first check for Day 0 founders. We back bold technical founders with capital, immigration support, and conviction — pre-product, pre-revenue, pre-visa.www.unshackledvc.com
Founders and investors at a Mode VC gathering

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Raising a pre-seed or seed round? We write $1M to $5M first checks and help founders with distribution. A partner reads every deck.

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Alert me when Unshackled Ventures is active

One email when this firm shows new activity. Nothing else.

Firms like Unshackled Ventures

Precursor Ventures$250K to $500K · active Sep 23
43$250K to $500K
Acumen America$250K to $500K
BAM Ventures$250K to $500K
Better Capital$250K to $500K
Magnify Ventures$250K to $3M · active Sep 22

On these lists

Pre-seed investors in United States1561Pre-seed investors in California434Pre-seed investors1696

Questions

What stage does Unshackled Ventures invest in?

Unshackled Ventures reports entry at pre-seed.

How much does Unshackled Ventures invest?

Unshackled Ventures reports checks of $250K to $500K.

Does Unshackled Ventures lead rounds?

Yes. Unshackled Ventures says it can lead.

Who are the partners at Unshackled Ventures?

Manan Mehta (Founding Partner), Eric Ries (Partner), Shaherose Charania (Partner).

Is Unshackled Ventures active right now?

No recent activity since September 2026.

Work at Unshackled Ventures? Claim or correct this profile.