Ihar Mahaniok

Ihar Mahaniok is a prominent figure in the venture capital landscape, serving as the Managing Partner at Geek Ventures, a New York-based firm he co-founded in 2020. With a strong operational background, Mahaniok leads Geek Ventures' investment strategy, which primarily targets pre-seed and seed-stage technology startups. The firm's focus areas are diverse yet strategic, encompassing sectors such as SaaS, Artificial intelligence, Fintech, Future of Work, Developer Tools, and Marketplaces, reflecting a keen eye for innovation and scalable business models.

Geek Ventures is known for its active investment pace and founder-friendly approach. The firm typically deploys initial checks ranging from $100,000 to $500,000, providing crucial early-stage capital to promising ventures. Since its inception, Geek Ventures, under Mahaniok's leadership, has rapidly built a substantial portfolio, having invested in over 50 startups. This high volume of investments underscores their commitment to identifying and nurturing early-stage potential across various tech domains.

Mahaniok's unique value proposition stems from his extensive experience as an entrepreneur. Prior to co-founding Geek Ventures, he was the co-founder and CEO of PandaDoc, a successful SaaS company that achieved a valuation exceeding $1 billion. This firsthand experience of building and scaling a tech company from the ground up provides him with invaluable insights into the challenges and opportunities faced by founders. He leverages this operational expertise to not only provide capital but also strategic guidance and mentorship to portfolio companies, often taking board positions to further support their growth. The firm has already seen 2 exits from its portfolio, demonstrating early success in its investment thesis.