Fundraising Fox

TRANSCEND

Venture capital

San Francisco Β· Seed–Series A Β· 5 people tracked

✨ Fox Verdict
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Investment thesis

Transcend partners with leading teams building games and interactive entertainment products for global audiences. The firm leverages its founders' experience from major industry franchises and acquisitions to support portfolio companies with product strategy, market validation, and commercial narrative development to drive exceptional outcomes.

Invests inGamingMedia & EntertainmentSan Francisco

Source: firm website, verified Jul 21, 2026.

Stage
Seed–Series A
HQ
San Francisco, US
Tracked investments
53

Team Β· 5 people

from the firm's website
Shanti BergelΒ· Managing Director

Founding partner of Transcend with 30 years of experience in the game industry. He brings extensive operational expertise across major platforms and business model transitions, with a focus on how technology and distribution shape products and communities. Recognized speaker on early-stage investment, M&A, and strategic partnerships in digital entertainment.

Andrew SheppardΒ· Managing Director

Experienced executive with over 20 years building and advising multi-billion dollar consumer businesses. His background spans online media, social gaming, subscriptions, free-to-play, console, PC, and mobile games. Current focus includes cross-platform games, next-generation social gaming, cloud gaming, influencer communities, and messenger games.

Brett KrauseΒ· Managing Director

Executive with expertise in venture investing, game development, finance, and banking. He brings 20 years of banking experience including leadership roles at JPMorgan and Citi, followed by 4.5 years as Chief Investment Officer at FunPlus and founding of FPX esports organization. Multilingual professional with extensive Asia-focused experience.

Lirui DingΒ· Principal

Technology and gaming industry professional with 15 years of experience and expertise in strategy, M&A, and investment advisory across $10 billion in combined transaction value. Previously worked at Activision Blizzard, Vodafone, LEK Consulting, KPMG, and Value Partners. Former professional esports player in StarCraft and Warcraft 3.

Sikander ChahalΒ· Principal

Investment and operations professional with experience in M&A, fundraising, strategy, and game development advisory across early-stage to AAA developers. A competitive gamer with top-tier Dota and Counterstrike credentials and prior roles at BIT Capital, London Venture Partners, and Newzoo.

What they invest in

from 8 of 53 portfolio companies

Gaming Γ—5Enterprise Software Γ—2AI & Machine Learning Γ—1Construction Tech Γ—1Consumer Γ—1Creator Economy Γ—1Crypto & Web3 Γ—1Developer Tools Γ—1

HQs:United StatesΓ—8GermanyΓ—1

Investments Β· 53 tracked

founders shown can be your intro path
AI Native AAA
AI The Operating System For Mobile App Operations
AI-powered insights platform
ARImaestro.io
Blockchain Agnostic Technology Solutions
Blockchain Gaming Platform
Brain Jar Gamesbrainjar.games

A game development studio that creates video games. The company emphasizes work-life balance through a 4-day, 32-hour work week model for its team.

Gaming

Bringing The World To Ethereum
CHRISTIANwelevel.comin

Welevel is a game studio in Munich developing video games using Unreal Engine 5 and proprietary AI infrastructure. The company creates gaming experiences with AAA production quality for the gaming community.

GamingMunich, DE

Collaborative Games To Hang Out, Play, & Socialize
Crafting Stellar Puzzle Games
Cutting Edge Virtual Reality Experiences
EGGSCAPEeggscape.com
Empowering Creators With Cutting-Edge AI
Figmentsplotdrive.comin𝕏

Plotdrive is an AI-powered writing tool designed for authors to draft novels and books faster with editorial guidance that preserves their unique voice. The platform offers real-time feedback, customizable writing prompts, and cloud synchronization to reduce friction in the creative writing process.

AI & Machine LearningCreator EconomyEnterprise SoftwareSaaSLos Angeles, US

Jay Rosenkrantz(Founder)inScott Rosenkrantz(Founder)in

Forging Alternate Worlds That Deepen Players' Lives
FOUNDERSbunch.live
FOUNDERSgardens.dev

A globally distributed studio creating online multiplayer games built around meaningful player connection.

FOUNDERSmidsummerstudios.comin𝕏
FOUNDERSthatgamecompany.com𝕏
FOUNDERSstresslevelzero.com
FOUNDERSruckus-games.comin𝕏
FOUNDERSfun.country
FOUNDERSmethodical.comin𝕏
FOUNDERScosmiclounge.comin
FOUNDERStreehousegames.com
FOUNDERStrioscopestudios.comin𝕏
FOUNDERSchess-universe.net
Future Of Social Gaming For Mixed Reality
Game Night For Digital Natives
Gossgoss.media

A mobile app platform where users make predictions on pop culture events, TV shows, and trending topics to earn diamonds that can be redeemed for prizes, gift cards, or cash.

ConsumerGamingMedia & Entertainment

Hybrid Live-Action Animation
Interactive Live Video Streaming Platform
Midenpolygon.technologyin𝕏

Polygon develops technology for moving money through open systems globally, with a focus on stablecoin payments and infrastructure that integrates with existing financial systems. The platform enables low-cost, instant settlement for people and businesses worldwide.

Crypto & Web3Enterprise SoftwareFintech

Azeem Khan(Founder)inBobbin Threadbare(Founder)

Mobile Social Gaming Platform
OAKLANDbigrunstudios.comin𝕏
Quality Mobile Games For Traditionally Underserved Audiences
Reimagining Multiplayer Action Adventure
Reimagining The Chess Experience
Roboto Gamesrobotogames.com

Roboto Games develops survival crafting video games designed for both solo and cooperative multiplayer play. The studio creates narrative-driven gaming experiences across multiple platforms, with a focus on player-driven content and extensive gameplay depth.

Gaming

Curt Bererton(CEO)Mathilde Pignol(CCO)

Singularity 6singularity6.com

Singularity 6 is a game development studio that creates online multiplayer games designed to deliver meaningful social experiences and player community belonging.

Gaming

Social Gaming Community For Women
Spatialspatialinc.comin

Spatial develops a platform for teams to design, share, and experience 3D environments in real time using spatial computing technology. The tool serves design studios and architectural teams seeking immersive collaboration experiences.

Construction TechDeveloper ToolsFuture of WorkHardwareScottsdale, US

The Growth Engine For The AI Era
Timeless Interactive Entertainment That Inspires Human Connection
Unlocking The Full Potential Of Immersive Audio
Vibrant Game Communities Built Around Lasting Friendships

Board seats Β· per SEC filings Β· 5

what is this? β“˜
Midsummer Studios Inc.SEC filing

$3M raise Β· filed Mar 2026 Β· via Shanti Bergel, Shanti Bergel

Eggscape Entertainment Inc.SEC filing

$4.8M raise Β· filed Jul 2024 Β· via Andrew Ignacio Sheppard

Ruckus Games Holdings, Inc.SEC filing

$19M raise Β· filed Jun 2024 Β· via Andrew Sheppard

Gardens Interactive, Inc.SEC filing

$31.4M raise Β· filed May 2023 Β· via Shanti Bergel

Big Run StudiosSEC filing

$6.7M raise Β· filed Aug 2020 Β· via Shanti Bergel

Inferred from directors named on each company's SEC Form D β€” public regulatory data, not a portfolio list published by the firm.

Frequently asked questions

What stage does TRANSCEND invest at?
TRANSCEND invests at the Seed, Series A stages.
What sectors does TRANSCEND focus on?
TRANSCEND focuses on Gaming, Media & Entertainment.
Where is TRANSCEND located?
TRANSCEND is headquartered in San Francisco, US.

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