Slack Fund

The Slack Fund was established in December 2015 as an $80 million investment vehicle by Slack, the popular business communication platform, with the explicit goal of fostering an ecosystem of applications built on top of its platform. Its primary mission is to support companies developing tools and services that enhance Slack's functionality, streamline workflows, and improve team collaboration. This strategic initiative aimed to ensure that Slack remained a central hub for workplace productivity by integrating a wide array of specialized third-party solutions, thereby increasing its utility and stickiness for users.

The fund's investment strategy is deeply aligned with Slack's product roadmap, targeting companies that create innovative integrations, bots, and applications that leverage Slack's APIs. This includes a diverse range of solutions, from project management tools and customer support platforms to analytics dashboards and internal communication enhancements. The Slack Fund seeks to identify promising startups that can not only benefit from capital but also from strategic guidance and access to Slack's vast user base and technical resources. This symbiotic relationship helps accelerate the growth of portfolio companies while simultaneously enriching the Slack platform.

Typically, the Slack Fund invests across various early stages, from pre-seed to Series A rounds. Its investment sizes are quite flexible, reflecting the diverse needs of early-stage companies. The fund has been known to issue smaller investments ranging from $25,000 to $50,000 for very early-stage projects or proof-of-concepts, while more substantial equity investments for established startups can range from $100,000 up to $2 million. As of late 2023, the Slack Fund has made over 100 investments, demonstrating its consistent commitment to nurturing its developer ecosystem. Its unique position as a corporate venture fund allows it to offer not just financial backing but also invaluable strategic alignment and potential for product integration, making it an attractive partner for startups innovating in the future of work.