approach
   philosophy
   focus
   team
 

our investment philosophy

We target investments in seed and early stage enterprise software and network infrastructure companies located in the Pacific Northwest and Silicon Valley where Empire can add significant value from our experience, strategic relationships and  network of contacts.  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 compliments the capital we invest with the expertise, networks and active support that will build lasting value.    

Empire looks to invest in the best and brightest enterprise software and network infrastructure companies from the Pacific Northwest and Silicon Valley.  We leverage our strategic relationships with the Washington Research Foundation, the Oregon Resource and Technology Development Account, Intel Corporation, Phoenix Technologies and Microsoft Corporation to uncover emerging technologies, trends and future needs.  Through our passion for working with entrepreneurs and depth of experience building businesses, we provide energy and stability to the process even through the roughest of storms.

Through active assistance between board meetings and a pragmatic and proven, yet flexible approach, our goal is to enable founders to address three primary issues: assembling a world-class management team, developing a product that meets a strong market need and generating a steady revenue stream.  Once we invest, we look to add significant value by leveraging our experiences, strategic relationships and network of Silicon Valley innovators to help rapidly grow our portfolio companies.  Over the life of the company, we continue providing capital and introductions which has resulted in subsequent investments by leading later-stage investors.

Throughout the process, we leverage our extensive resources, including capital and an established network of seasoned industry professionals, to address the specific needs of each company at each stage in its development.