Steve Chen
Description
Steve Chen, renowned as the co-founder and former Chief Technology Officer of YouTube, has transitioned his entrepreneurial prowess into a significant role within the venture capital ecosystem, primarily as an angel investor. Leveraging his deep understanding of scaling internet platforms and consumer technology, Chen has become a sought-after early-stage backer for promising startups. His investment philosophy heavily favors disruptive technology companies, often at the seed stage, where his strategic insights and operational experience can provide maximum value.
Chen's investment portfolio is a testament to his keen eye for innovation, featuring an impressive roster of companies that have gone on to achieve remarkable success. He has made over 50 angel investments, demonstrating a consistent commitment to nurturing the next generation of tech giants. Notable investments include early stakes in fintech disruptors like Robinhood and Coinbase, design software leader Figma, productivity tools such as Notion and Airtable, and logistics innovator DoorDash. These companies, among others in his portfolio, have collectively reached multi-billion dollar valuations, with Figma notably acquired by Adobe for approximately $20 billion, underscoring the foresight of his early-stage bets.
Beyond capital, Steve Chen offers invaluable mentorship and strategic guidance, drawing from his experience in building and scaling YouTube into a global phenomenon. His involvement often signals strong validation for nascent ventures, attracting further institutional funding. He typically participates in highly competitive seed rounds, often alongside top-tier venture capital firms, providing crucial early support that helps companies navigate the challenging initial phases of growth. His continued influence as an investor solidifies his legacy not just as a tech pioneer, but also as a pivotal enabler of future innovation.
Investor Profile
Steve Chen has backed more than 51 startups, with 1 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 2 rounds, about 4% of its total and boasts 11 exits across its portfolio.
Investment Focus Highlights
- Concentrates on Seed, Series A, Angel rounds (top funding stages).
- Majority of deals are located in United States, Canada, Singapore.
- Strong thematic focus on E-Commerce, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Software.
- Typical check size: $100K – $1M.
Stage Focus
- Seed (51%)
- Series A (22%)
- Angel (8%)
- Series B (8%)
- Series Unknown (6%)
- Pre Seed (2%)
- Series C (2%)
- Convertible Note (2%)
Country Focus
- United States (78%)
- Canada (6%)
- Singapore (4%)
- India (4%)
- Taiwan (4%)
- Finland (2%)
- South Korea (2%)
Industry Focus
- E-commerce
- Artificial Intelligence (Ai)
- Software
- Financial Services
- Fintech
- Internet
- Mobile Apps
- Saas
- Communities
- Information Technology
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn who this investor regularly partners with—both firms and angels—and explore their latest activity.