7 Gate Ventures

7 Gate Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm based in Vancouver, Canada, that provides seed and pre-Series A funding to technology startups across North America. Operating with an additional presence in Silicon Valley, the firm focuses on software-as-a-service, artificial intelligence, fintech, and digital health enterprises. The family office venture firm typically writes investment tickets ranging from $1 million to $5 million per deal and has backed over 80 portfolio companies to date. 7 Gate Ventures has invested in notable technology companies including MetaOptima, Payfirma, and ApplyBoard, the latter of which achieved a $1.2 billion valuation following a $75 million funding round in 2020. Additionally, the firm serves as a designated venture capital fund under the Government of Canada's Start-up Visa Program to sponsor international entrepreneurs. 7 Gate Ventures was founded in 2015 by Ali Saheli.

7 Gate Ventures is a venture capital firm headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, and Silicon Valley, focused on investing in early-stage technology startups from Pre-Seed to pre-Series A rounds. Their mission is to be the first partner to identify and fund technical founders, helping them scale and grow into billion-user companies. They invest primarily in sectors such as Enterprise Software, SaaS, Cloud Services, Marketplaces, Mobile Apps, Big Data/Analytics, Blockchain, Fintech, and HealthTech, leveraging decades of international venture-building experience and operational expertise to mentor and scale new businesses[1][3][5].

Founded in 2015 by a group of serial entrepreneurs with deep technology and venture capital backgrounds, 7 Gate Ventures combines industry connections and strategic foresight to support startups. Key partners include Amir Vohooshi (Founding Managing Partner), Alireza Rahnema (Managing Partner), and Hamed Tavalla (Chief Operating Officer), who bring operational and investment expertise. The firm has evolved to focus on early-stage investments that emphasize innovative technology solutions with high growth potential[2][5].

Core Differentiators

• Unique Investment Model: Focus on early-stage startups from Pre-Seed to pre-Series A, positioning themselves as the first institutional partner for technical founders.
• Network Strength: Strong presence in both Vancouver and Silicon Valley, providing access to key industry connections and international venture-building experience.
• Track Record: Founded by serial entrepreneurs with decades of operational and investment experience, enabling effective mentorship and strategic scaling.
• Operating Support: Hands-on approach to help startups with strategy, growth, and scaling, beyond just capital infusion.

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

7 Gate Ventures rides the wave of rapid innovation in enterprise software, cloud services, and emerging technologies like blockchain and healthtech. The timing is favorable due to increasing demand for digital transformation and scalable SaaS solutions across industries. Their dual presence in North America’s tech hubs allows them to influence and integrate into the broader startup ecosystem, fostering innovation and cross-border collaboration.

Quick Take & Future Outlook

Looking ahead, 7 Gate Ventures is poised to deepen its impact by continuing to back technical founders early and helping them scale globally. Trends such as AI integration, decentralized finance, and healthtech innovation will likely shape their investment focus. Their influence is expected to grow as they leverage their operational expertise and network to build category-defining companies, reinforcing their role as a key early-stage investor bridging Canadian and Silicon Valley tech ecosystems.