our investment approach

Our approach is to be the first institutional investors in a company and then to support its growth over its life through our depth of financial and operational resources.  Empire was founded on the principle that the willingness to take risks on very early stage ventures results in opportunities to contribute to the growth of the winning companies of the future.  We pride ourselves on quickly identifying high-potential entrepreneurs and business concepts and on providing the first institutional money a new venture receives.

We approach to value added investing is founded in the following four principles:

passion for innovation:  
Before anything else, we seek out unique, disruptive, defining technologies in the most compelling market sectors and fund the companies that have the potential to create and change landscapes.  We watch the technology market carefully and focus on a few core segments. 

partnership: 
Our relationships with entrepreneurs is based on partnership and a shared vision.  Moving from vision to execution, we work with companies to tackle the daily challenges of building a business.  We bring our domain expertise, market experience and strategic insight to work for each portfolio company as part of that partnership.

people: 
A large part of Empire's value is opening the right doors and bringing the right experience.  Developing, expanding and managing a network of contacts and strategic relationships are founding principles of Empire.  As a venture capital team, Empire's partners combine their strategic relationships, network of contacts, knowledge base and 50+ years of relevant experience to assist each portfolio company.

results:
This approach has been well-received and has proven valuable in helping to launch and to accelerate the growth of companies such as Consystant Design, Learning.com, NetMotion Wireless and SnapNames.