1839 Ventures

1839 Ventures is a thesis-driven venture capital firm founded in 2015 and headquartered in Austin, Texas. Led by Managing Member Chris Scheetz, the firm invests in early and growth-stage technology companies that demonstrate the capacity to scale effectively, dominate their markets, and deliver strong exit potential. A defining emphasis of the firm is intellectual property protection — portfolio companies are expected to build and defend defensible positions in their respective sectors. Checks range from $500,000 to $3 million across seed and Series A rounds. The firm focuses primarily on Texas-based companies in commerce, communication, and business intelligence sectors, with eight portfolio investments spanning software, e-commerce, data analytics, and B2B services. Collectively, the investment team has raised approximately $800 million across their careers. In a notable international expansion, 1839 Ventures launched Pakistan Fund I, a $20 million vehicle targeting multi-stage technology companies in Pakistan, signed a memorandum of understanding with the Punjab Information Technology Board, and appointed a dedicated Pakistan country manager. 1839 Ventures aligns its investment activity with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, reflecting a long-term view of technology's role in societal progress. The firm's small, focused team of two partners and one principal works closely with portfolio companies on market strategy and scaling, combining capital with operational guidance for founders building category-defining businesses.