SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Brainstorm Ventures announced the launch of its second early stage venture capital fund and the first three investments of this fund.
Since its inception, Brainstorm Ventures has invested in some of the most successful technology startups in Silicon Valley and in Mexico. Portfolio companies in Brainstorm’s first fund included OpenTable (IPO), Zappos (acquired by Amazon), Me.com (acquired by Apple), and KIO Networks. In addition to providing seed funding, Brainstorm transferred the technology to incubate KIO Networks in Mexico City. KIO Networks is now a billion-dollar data center company, making it Mexico’s first Unicorn.
“Brainstorm Ventures invested early on in OpenTable and joined the board via one of the first outside director seats. They helped me as a first-time founder by acting as a sounding board, recruiting directors and investors, and advising on early stage issues like consumer research, resulting in our name change from EasyEats to OpenTable,” said Chuck Templeton, Founder of OpenTable.
Brainstorm’s second fund allows the firm to continue supporting proven and promising founders in the US and in Latin America who are developing disruptive technologies and business models, and to continue capitalizing on cross-border synergies. Over the summer, Brainstorm Ventures made investments in Higia Technologies, Sail Internet, and a stealth AI startup. Higia is a Mexican wearable device company dedicated to breast cancer detection that plans to begin trials with Stanford Medicine this year. Sail Internet is an innovative ISP that delivers affordable, high-speed Internet access and excellent customer service. The startup in stealth mode is focused on the future of work.
“We are excited to welcome our new portfolio companies and to support the founding teams as best we can. Each has a tremendous market potential and opportunity to change the world for the better,” said Ariel Jaduszliwer, Managing Partner at Brainstorm Ventures.
Brainstorm Ventures and its portfolio benefit from an invaluable network of advisors and technical experts, and from strategic relationships with corporations and governments. Eduardo Rallo and Keith Cox cofounded Brainstorm Ventures in 1999 after they scaled their restaurant chain, World Wrapps, to 26 locations and sold it to a financial sponsor. The concept has been credited with popularizing the wrap category of sandwiches.
Brainstorm Ventures
Brainstorm Ventures is a small early-stage venture capital firm that invests in technology startups, primarily in Silicon Valley and Mexico.
