Diaspora Ventures

Diaspora Ventures is a San Francisco-based pre-seed venture capital fund that invests in European entrepreneurs building technology companies targeted at the United States market from inception. Operating through a rolling fund structure, the firm provides initial capital injections ranging from $100,000 to $150,000 to early-stage startups while facilitating direct access to American talent pools and operational playbooks. Initially focused exclusively on French expatriates, the organization has since expanded its investment mandate to support the broader European diaspora across various technology sectors. Since its inception, the firm has interviewed over 1,000 founders and successfully invested in approximately 30 different startups. The leadership team, which includes Marvin Liao, has collectively backed more than 500 companies, including recognizable technology brands such as Algolia, Sunrise, and Cowboy. Diaspora Ventures was founded in 2020 by Ilan Abehassera and Carlos Diaz.

High-Level Overview

Diaspora Ventures is a pre-seed venture capital fund focused on backing the next generation of French and European entrepreneurs building technology companies in the United States. The firm’s mission is to empower ambitious founders with global ambitions by providing early-stage capital, strategic guidance, and access to the world’s most dynamic tech ecosystem. Diaspora Ventures invests at the earliest stages—often at the idea, prototype, or early revenue phase—with check sizes typically ranging from $50,000 to $200,000. While sector-agnostic, the fund is particularly interested in founders with backgrounds in artificial intelligence, blockchain, fintech, and digital health.

By bridging the gap between European talent and the U.S. startup landscape, Diaspora Ventures plays a pivotal role in accelerating the international expansion of European founders. The fund’s philosophy centers on speed, operational experience, and deep networks, helping startups scale quickly and efficiently in a competitive global market.

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Origin Story

Founded in 2020 by Ilan Abehassera (based in New York) and Carlos Diaz (based in San Francisco), Diaspora Ventures was born out of the founders’ own experiences as French entrepreneurs who built careers in the U.S. tech ecosystem. Both partners had spent over a decade as active angel investors, backing notable startups such as Algolia, Sunrise, Cowboy, and Double. Recognizing a recurring challenge—European founders often lacked the funding, networks, and operational playbooks needed to launch and scale in the U.S.—they created Diaspora Ventures to address this gap.

The fund launched as a Rolling Fund on AngelList, allowing for continuous fundraising and rapid deployment of capital. Since its inception, Diaspora Ventures has interviewed over 1,000 founders and invested in more than 30 startups, quickly establishing itself as a go-to partner for European entrepreneurs entering the U.S. market.

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Core Differentiators

• First-Mover Rolling Fund Model: Diaspora Ventures leverages AngelList’s Rolling Fund structure, enabling continuous fundraising and faster deal execution compared to traditional VC funds.
• Operator-Led Approach: The partners are not just investors—they are active entrepreneurs and operators, offering hands-on support and real-world insights to founders.
• Deep U.S. Network: With bases in New York and San Francisco, the fund provides founders with direct access to Silicon Valley’s ecosystem, talent, and investors.
• Sector Agnostic, Founder Focused: While open to all tech sectors, Diaspora Ventures prioritizes founders with global ambition and a “je ne sais quoi”—a unique blend of creativity, resilience, and vision.
• Proven Track Record: The partners have collectively invested in over 500 startups as angels, giving them a robust dealflow and deep understanding of early-stage dynamics.

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Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

Diaspora Ventures is riding the wave of globalization in tech entrepreneurship. As more European founders look to launch in the U.S. to access larger markets, talent, and capital, the fund is positioned at the intersection of two powerful trends: the rise of remote and distributed startups, and the increasing mobility of talent across borders. The timing is critical—post-pandemic, the barriers to launching a U.S.-based company from Europe have diminished, and Diaspora Ventures is helping founders capitalize on this shift.

By lowering the entry barrier for European entrepreneurs, the fund is not only fueling innovation but also enriching the U.S. startup ecosystem with diverse perspectives and world-class engineering talent. This cross-pollination is accelerating the pace of global tech innovation and reshaping how startups scale internationally.

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Quick Take & Future Outlook

Diaspora Ventures is poised to become a leading gateway for European founders entering the U.S. market. As the fund continues to grow its LP base and expand its portfolio, it will likely deepen its influence on both sides of the Atlantic. The future may see Diaspora Ventures broadening its scope to include more regions within Europe and potentially launching follow-on funds to support later-stage scaling.

For founders, the message is clear: if you’re a European entrepreneur with a global vision, Diaspora Ventures offers not just capital, but a bridge to the world’s most vibrant tech ecosystem. As the lines between local and global blur, Diaspora Ventures is helping to write the next chapter of international tech entrepreneurship—one ambitious founder at a time.