Mantis VC is a venture capital firm co-founded by Alex Pall and Drew Taggart, the Grammy-winning duo behind the electronic music group The Chainsmokers. Launched with the aim of blending cultural relevance with long-term investment discipline, Mantis has quietly carved out a position as a serious investor in B2B startups, diverging from the typical celebrity-backed focus on consumer brands. The firm leverages its high-profile network and industry access to create strategic value for its portfolio companies beyond capital.
Mantis VC invests across multiple sectors, with a growing emphasis on enterprise and B2B startups.
Areas of interest include:
While the firm’s celebrity founders may suggest a bias toward consumer brands, Mantis has demonstrated a consistent focus on enterprise-oriented startups that benefit from strong business fundamentals rather than consumer visibility.
In July 2025, Mantis VC announced the close of its third fund, securing $100 million in limited partner commitments.
The new fund represents a 25 percent increase over the firm’s previous $80 million vehicle, a notable achievement amid a challenging fundraising environment where many emerging funds have struggled to raise or maintain capital.
This third fund continues Mantis’ strategy of backing early-stage companies with high potential, especially in B2B sectors.
The firm also continues to deploy its founders’ industry relationships for business development support, offering customer and partner introductions to portfolio companies.
Through performances and connections made during events for Fortune 500 companies, Mantis has built a robust corporate network that supports go-to-market efforts across its investments.
Leadership
Mantis VC is led by co-founders Alex Pall and Drew Taggart, both of whom maintain active involvement in the firm’s strategic direction and portfolio support.
While best known for their careers in music, they have built Mantis with a long-term vision, recruiting an experienced investing team to help manage operations and diligence.
Their involvement in startup selection and founder engagement is positioned as hands-on, especially when it comes to networking, visibility, and distribution.
Investment Strategy
Mantis pursues early-stage investments, focusing on high-growth startups with strong technical foundations and scalable business models. The firm’s approach includes both financial rigor and brand leverage, supporting founders through customer introductions, hiring visibility, and distribution amplification. While celebrity backing might suggest a more passive role, Mantis takes an active investment posture, particularly within enterprise verticals where relationships and access to large corporate buyers can be pivotal.
Notable Investments
Mantis VC has backed several notable B2B startups, including Chainguard, a cybersecurity firm, and Rogo, an AI-powered financial analyst startup. These investments reflect the firm’s deeper shift toward enterprise software and infrastructure, rather than brand-driven consumer startups. The fund’s founders have also used their high-profile presence to enhance visibility for portfolio companies and open doors with corporate partners.
Other
Mantis stands out among celebrity-affiliated funds by committing to a strategy that emphasizes substance over splash. The firm’s reputation is evolving within the venture community as one that adds strategic value beyond name recognition, particularly for B2B startups seeking connections with large enterprise clients. Founders should note the firm’s access to corporate networks, which may be leveraged to accelerate partnerships or sales conversations.
