A group of 20 former Snap employees, many of whom witnessed the company's meteoric rise and subsequent struggles, have already financed at least five new AI companies through their recently launched venture fund, Ghost Angels, according to mezha. This collective, formed by Snap alums, aims to invest in the next generation of social media and consumer AI startups, as reported by TechCrunch. The fund's explicit focus on AI social media is also highlighted by Whalesbook. Their rapid initial activity signals a strategic effort to shape the future of digital interaction.
Snap's corporate trajectory has been turbulent, but its alumni are emerging as a powerful, unified force in early-stage venture capital. This network leverages shared institutional knowledge and collective connections to identify promising ventures.
The 'Snap mafia' is poised to become a significant kingmaker in the next wave of social and consumer AI. This group could potentially create new competitors for their former employer, redefining the industry outside Snap's direct control.
Leadership and Early Traction
- Max Rivera, a former leader of global partnerships at Snap, started the fund in 2025, according to TechCrunch.
- A group of 20 former Snap employees formalized an angel-investing community into a fund called Ghost Angels, as reported by Techechelon.
- The fund has already financed at least five companies, according to mezha.
Ghost Angels' Strategic Market Entry
A notable discrepancy exists regarding Ghost Angels' operational timeline. While TechCrunch and techechelon.com report Max Rivera founded Ghost Angels in 2025, mezha indicates the fund has already financed at least five companies. This suggests the 2025 date may mark a formalization of activities rather than their true inception, implying a longer, unacknowledged history of collective angel investing.
