AME Cloud Ventures

Overview

AME Cloud Ventures is a venture capital firm founded by Jerry Yang, co-founder of Yahoo!, that invests in seed to later-stage companies building infrastructure and value chains around data, with a focus on technology-heavy sectors like enterprise, hardware, health, cybersecurity, and life sciences.¹²³ The firm provides capital, operational expertise, and networks, particularly emphasizing U.S. and China-based data-driven startups in areas such as robotics, space, and deep tech, and has made over 280 investments with 71 exits across three funds.⁴

History

AME Cloud Ventures was founded in 2012 by Jerry Yang, co-founder of Yahoo!, using his personal capital for flexibility rather than traditional limited partners.²⁴⁵ The firm has grown to manage three funds, completing 286 investments and 71 successful exits as of recent records.⁴ Key team members include Jerry Yang and Jeff Chung, with a focus on backing data-centric deep science and tech startups globally, requiring some remote teams to relocate for Silicon Valley support.³⁴

Notable Products

• Investments in Zoom - Early investment in the video conferencing platform that achieved significant growth and public listing.
• Investments in Wish - Backing for the e-commerce marketplace specializing in affordable goods.
• Investments in Freenome - Investment in a health tech company developing cancer detection through blood tests.
• Investments in Planet - Support for the satellite imagery and geospatial data provider.
• Investments in Zymergen - Funding for a synthetic biology firm focused on microbial engineering.
• Investments in Nervana Systems - Early investment in AI hardware startup later acquired by Intel.
• Investments in Rigetti Quantum Computing - Backing for a quantum computing hardware and software developer.

Reputation

AME Cloud Ventures is regarded by professionals as a flexible, founder-led VC firm due to its backing by Jerry Yang's personal capital, enabling nimble investments in frontier data technologies.²³ It receives praise for active involvement, providing operational support and networks, especially in U.S.-China tech ecosystems, with a track record of 71 exits from 286 investments.⁴ Criticisms are limited in available sources, though its avoidance of consumer internet and requirement for some portfolio relocations may limit broader appeal.⁴