Catalyst Hi-Tech and Entrepreneurship Development Foundation

SmartGateVC is a Silicon Valley pre-seed venture capital fund backed by Tim Draper and seasoned tech entrepreneurs and professionals. Our key focus areas are Artificial Intelligence (AI), Security, Internet of Things (IoT) and emerging Computational Biotech, Quantum Computing and Blockchain across California, Massachusetts, NYC, Armenia, and wider Eastern Europe. 

• The fund has made 20 investments so far in deep tech startups being one of the first investors in rising stars such as Krisp, Britive, Podcastle AI, Expper Technologies, Embry Tech, SuperAnnotate, and others. 
• Along with investing in early stage tech startups, SmartGateVC implements a number of initiatives contributing to the development of tech entrepreneurship ecosystem and enhancement of science, industry and academia collaboration in Armenia as well as serving as a gateway for startups from Armenia and wider Eastern Europe to expand operations to Southern California and the US market while leveraging the business development talent and opportunities in the LA area. 
• We run a tech and entrepreneurship hub in Yerevan called Hero House, where we host entrepreneurs, tech professionals, and researchers. We recently expanded to Southern California and launched an accelerator program in Los Angeles. 

The initiatives include Hero House in Glendale and Armenia, Glendale Gateway program, Armenia Startup Academy, AI Incubator, Science and Technology Convergence Conference, and more.