Fund That Tiger Looks To Inject $10 Million Into Clemson University-Led Startups
“Tiger founders embody independence, leadership, and bold vision," according to founder Matt Johnson.
There’s a new fund ready to put some green behind Clemson orange.
Fund That Tiger, a Clemson, SC-based venture capital fund, is set to invest exclusively into Clemson University alumni-led startups and university-born technologies.
The fund is targeting to close at $10 million, with LPs made up of a mix of “high-net-worth individuals and families with an affinity for the school,” founder Matt Johnson told Hypepotamus.
Johnson, an Atlanta-based VC, founded Fund That Tiger alongside fellow Clemson alumni Joe Milam, a seasoned tech entrepreneur.
Where The Fund Is Now
Fund That Tiger, which is not affiliated with or sponsored by Clemson University, will have its initial close on Fund I at the end of the month, with $1 million in committed capital. That initial close means that Fund That Tiger can start making its first investments.
The fund is targeting to invest in a total of 15 companies in Fund I, averaging three to five a year, Johnson told Hypepotamus. The fund is specifically targeting pre-seed and seed-stage tech and tech-enabled startups that have pre-money valuations below $20 million.
Checks will be between $100,000 and $1 million. The fund is industry agnostic. But a press release noted that the team is interested in building a pipeline with medtech, electric vehicles, AI-powered platforms, and reproductive health technologies.
Nelson Mullins will provide legal counsel to the fund.
Clemson’s Tech & Startup Reach
Clemson, which is ranked in the top 75 colleges and universities in the country, is known for its engineering programs. The school has also churned out several successful startup founders, including the teams behind venture-backed companies 6AM City and KIYATEC. (You can read about a few others on the university’s Research Foundation website).
“Tiger founders embody independence, leadership, and bold vision," Johnson added. “They push boundaries, seize opportunities, and turn raw ambition into real-world impact. With more than 189,000 living alumni, 5,000 Tigers running companies, and over $368M in annual research output, we have a strong network to leverage to drive deal flow and support founders.”
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