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MUDA
Matt Michelsen founded MUDA in 2017, channeling his Palantir product-lead experience into pre-seed and seed-stage enterprise software investing.
MUDA
MUDA launched in 2017 as Matt Michelsen's vehicle for deploying personal and select partner capital into early-stage technology startups. Michelsen brought his operating experience from Palantir Technologies, where he led product on the commercial side during its formative post-2010 growth phase. The firm operates out of New York without a formal multi-family office marketing posture, instead functioning as a lean investment partnership that favors direct relationships with technical founders. MUDA targets enterprise software, data infrastructure, AI/ML, and developer tools at the pre-seed and seed stages. Its initial check size ranges from $250K to $2M, and the firm actively reserves capital for follow-on rounds into its highest-conviction portfolio companies. Publicly associated positions include Y Combinator graduates and companies connected to Palantir alumni networks. The firm has also participated in rounds backing digital health and cybersecurity startups. MUDA's geographic focus is predominantly North America, with select exposure to companies in Western Europe. The firm runs a small, non-hierarchical team centered on Michelsen's direct involvement in investment decisions. MUDA does not publicly disclose team headcount or aggregate deployment figures. Its operational cadence prioritizes high-conviction, relationship-driven investing over speed or volume. The firm's LinkedIn presence confirms an office in New York without listing additional locations. MUDA's structural distinction lies in its operator-shaped diligence: Michelsen evaluates enterprise software startups the way a technical co-founder would, prioritizing product architecture and go-to-market design over financial engineering. This posture, combined with the firm's small capital base and follow-on reserve strategy, creates a concentrated portfolio that avoids fund-of-funds dilution and keeps the manager personally exposed alongside founders.
General information
Firm type
Multi Family Office
Year founded
2017
AUM
Undisclosed
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
New York
Corporate office
New York, NY, United States
Principals
Matt Michelsen
Founder & CEO
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at MUDA?
Founder and CEO Matt Michelsen runs MUDA's investment decisions directly. Michelsen previously led product on the commercial side at Palantir Technologies during its expansion after 2010. MUDA operates with a lean structure where Michelsen's judgment, shaped by his operating experience in enterprise software, drives the firm's conviction-led investment approach.
What investment stages does MUDA typically target?
MUDA focuses on pre-seed and seed-stage investments, with initial checks ranging from $250,000 to $2 million. The firm reserves capital for follow-on rounds into its strongest-performing portfolio companies. MUDA does not typically participate in growth equity or late-stage venture capital rounds.
How does MUDA source investment opportunities?
MUDA relies on a relationship-driven sourcing model anchored by Matt Michelsen's network from Palantir and the broader enterprise technology ecosystem. The firm gains access to deals through Y Combinator connections, Palantir alumni circles, and direct referrals from technical founders. MUDA does not operate a public application portal.
Does MUDA invest through funds or only direct deals?
MUDA makes direct investments into operating companies and does not operate as a fund-of-funds or a manager of pooled third-party vehicles. The firm deploys capital from Matt Michelsen and select partner accounts into individual startup equity rounds, retaining the ability to follow on directly in subsequent financings.
Which sectors does MUDA explicitly avoid?
MUDA does not publicly list excluded sectors, but its investment history shows no participation in consumer social media, e-commerce, or biotech drug development. The firm's technical diligence strengths and operator experience concentrate its activity in enterprise software, data infrastructure, AI/ML, developer tools, and cybersecurity.
How is MUDA structured — as a venture firm or family office?
MUDA operates as an asset manager with multi-family office characteristics. It deploys capital on behalf of Matt Michelsen and selected partners rather than marketing to outside institutional limited partners. The firm's lean structure and operator-led investment process place it closer to a hybrid venture partner than a traditional family office or venture capital firm.
Does MUDA maintain any philanthropic structures?
There is no public record of MUDA operating a separate philanthropic foundation or donor-advised fund. The firm focuses exclusively on venture investments in enterprise software and does not publicly disclose any charitable vehicle linked to its operations.
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