Max Mullen

Max Mullen is widely recognized as the co-founder of Instacart, a pioneering grocery delivery service he helped launch in 2012. After scaling Instacart to become a household name and taking it public in 2023, Mullen has become an active and influential angel investor, leveraging his deep operational expertise in consumer technology and marketplace dynamics. His investment philosophy is rooted in supporting founders who are building innovative solutions for everyday problems, often with a focus on areas he knows intimately from his Instacart journey.

As an angel investor, Mullen primarily targets early-stage companies, typically participating in pre-seed and seed rounds. He seeks out startups that are disrupting traditional industries, creating new consumer behaviors, or enhancing efficiency through technology. His portfolio reflects a strong inclination towards consumer applications, e-commerce infrastructure, future of work platforms, and increasingly, companies integrating artificial intelligence to solve complex challenges. He is known for providing not just capital but also strategic guidance and mentorship, drawing from his experience navigating the complexities of hyper-growth and market leadership.

Mullen's investment activity is significant, with public records indicating participation in over 60 investments across various sectors. This extensive portfolio includes a diverse range of companies, from burgeoning startups to those that have achieved successful exits, with over 10 reported exits to date. His typical first check size for these early-stage ventures generally ranges from $50,000 for high-conviction, nascent ideas to as much as $500,000 for more developed seed rounds where he might play a more substantial role. His continued engagement in the startup ecosystem underscores his commitment to fostering the next generation of entrepreneurial talent, particularly in areas where technology can drive significant societal and economic impact.