THE VENTURE FUND FOR TIGER-LED STARTUPS
Fueling the future of Clemson-born Innovation.
WHAT WE DO
We invest in startups led by Clemson alumni, students, and faculty—backing bold ideas with capital, connection, and commitment. We’re in it early, from pre-seed through Series A.
✔️ Industry Agnostic
✔️ $100k–$1M Investments
✔️ US-based, Tiger-Focused
WHY FUND THAT TIGER?
We have the ecosystem. We have the playbook. And we’re here to help you activate it.
20+ years of early-stage investing experience
40+ startups backed across the Southeast
Prior fund delivered 2.1x MOIC with 6 exits
Portfolio includes 6AM City, TSOLife, Viva Finance
Active in top angel networks
INVESTMENT CRITERIA
Fund That Tiger is a founder-first investor—we prioritize partnering with exceptional entrepreneurs above all else.
Tiger founders embody independence, leadership, and bold vision. Guided by instinct and sharpened by discipline, they push boundaries, seize opportunities, and turn raw ambition into real-world impact. That’s who we invest in.
Founder(s) must be a Clemson student, alumni, faculty member, or tech transfer licensee
At least one founder must be full-time on the venture
Scalable product or service addressing a large and growing market opportunity
Tech-driven or tech-enabled
Intellectual property must be owned by or exclusively licensed to the venture
Measurable traction in the form of early adopter revenue, beta testing, pilot/POC, or clinical data - Our sweet spot is early-stage companies that have bootstrapped their way to a market-ready product or service and are now seeking capital to fuel initial sales growth. We also consider other factors based on the nature and stage of the venture.
Pre-seed or seed-stage investments targeting pre-money valuations below $20M
Potential to generate 10x+ return multiple
THE ECOSYSTEM
Fund That Tiger takes pride in our partnerships with these leading investor networks and entrepreneurial support organizations surrounding the university.
$5,000
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
$5,000 Fund That Tiger scholarship awarded to one student each year to help in their continued path to VC.
Plus yearly internships offered to students interested in a career in venture capital.
BUILT BY TIGERS, FOR TIGERS
We’re not just funders—we’re true partners. Each founder we back gains access to proven venture expertise, including a 2.1x MOIC from our prior fund, a powerful network of Clemson alumni across the country, and hands-on support to navigate every stage of growth—from idea to exit.
Joe Milam
Founding Partner
Clemson/Anderson, SC
Clemson Class of ’95 and former student-athlete in Men’s Swimming, Joe is a two-time tech founder and seasoned venture professional. A FINRA-registered rep (Series 82 & 63), he’s closed over $200M in transactions and brings deep experience in early-stage investing and capital strategy.
Matt Johnson
Founding Partner
Atlanta, GA
A “Double Tiger” with a BA (’07) and MBA (’21) from Clemson, Matt is the founder of Johnson Venture Partners and a seasoned early-stage investor with 40+ portfolio companies. He’s also a startup founder, advisor, and board member dedicated to helping fellow Tigers scale big ideas.
CONTACT US
Ready to learn more about Fund That Tiger? Fill out the form to contact our team.