Fundraising Fox

John Funge

InvestorFounder

Managing Director & Investment Board Member at DataTribe · Board director at N2K Networks, Inc. · Board director at Balance Theory · Board director at Blackcloak

Washington, District of Columbia, United States

Writes $1M – $30M checks

FoundedBalance TheoryBlackcloakCyberWireN2K Networks, Inc.

About

John Funge, a founder-operator who sold his company, champions national-security-sourced over-the-horizon cyber technologies and bridges operator, investor and CISO perspectives to help teams close go-to-market gaps.

Invests in

AI & Machine LearningCybersecurityData & InfrastructureDeep TechDefense TechHardware

Board director at N2K Networks, Inc.

Intro paths

→

In turn, John can intro founders to N2K Networks, Inc.'s investors below.

N2K Networks, Inc.'s investors · 1

DataTribeFulton · $1M – $30M checks · since 2022

Co-founders at N2K Networks, Inc.

PK
Peter KilpeExecutive Officer, Director
SP
Simone PetrellaExecutive Officer, Director
JM
Jake MaasDirector

Board director at Balance Theory

Intro paths

→

In turn, John can intro founders to Balance Theory's investors below.

Balance Theory's investors · 3

DataTribeFulton · $1M – $30M checks · since 2026Maryland TEDCOUpper Marlboro · $500K – $1.5M checksTEDCOColumbia

Co-founders at Balance Theory

NN
Nathan NecaiseExecutive Officer, Director
GB
Gregory BakerExecutive Officer, Director
LM
Lisa MathiasExecutive Officer, Director

Board director at Blackcloak

Intro paths

→

In turn, John can intro founders to Blackcloak's investors below.

Blackcloak's investors · 4

DataTribeFulton · $1M – $30M checks · since 2020LegalTechFort LauderdaleLookout VenturesChevy Chase · $250K – $2M checks · since 2024TechOperators Venture CapitalAtlanta · $1M checks

Co-founders at Blackcloak

CPChristopher Pierson
Christopher PiersonExecutive Officer, Director, Promoter

Experience

  1. DataTribeVenture Partnercurrent2025 — present
  2. DataTribeManaging Director2020 — 2025
  3. DataTribeChief Product Officer2018 — 2020Washington D.C. Metro Area
  4. Balance TheoryBoard Membercurrent2022 — present
  5. BLACKCLOAKBoard Membercurrent2020 — present
  6. N2K NetworksBoard Membercurrent2022 — present
  7. National Security Institute (NSI)Visiting Fellowcurrent2026 — presentWashington DC-Baltimore Area
  8. Inertial Sense, Inc.Board Member2018 — 2026
  9. The CyberWireBoard Member2018 — 2022
  10. WealthEngineSVP of Product Management2014 — 2018Washington D.C. Metro Area
  11. BrightContextCEO & Co-Founder2010 — 2014Washington D.C. Metro Area
  12. Scripps NetworksVice President of Product Management2007 — 2009
  13. Incando Corporation (Pickle.com)CEO & Co-Founder2004 — 2007
  14. SapientDirector of Business Development2001 — 2002
  15. CMGI Solutions / TallanVice President1999 — 2000
  16. Clara VistaCEO & Co-Founder1995 — 1999
  17. Bell AtlanticSystems Engineer1994 — 1995
  18. Pulse TechnologiesSystems Engineer1993 — 1994

Education

  1. INSEADMBA, Business Administration
  2. Carnegie Mellon UniversityBSEE, Electrical Engineering

Deals · 3

N2K Networks, Inc.Board seat

via DataTribe · filed Nov 2022 · $9.5M raise

BlackcloakBoard seat

via DataTribe · filed Jul 2021 · $11.1M raise

CyberWireBoard seat

via DataTribe · filed Jan 2019 · $1.4M raise

Attribution from SEC filings, press coverage, and firm rosters.

Colleagues at DataTribe

Andy Hunn
Partner, Product Strategy at DataTribe
David Whalen
Analyst at DataTribe
Kellee Griffin
Senior Accountant at DataTribe
Leo Scott
Managing Director at DataTribe
Matt Moran
CFO at DataTribe
Maurice Boissiere
Chief Customer Officer, DataTribe at University System of Maryland Momentum Fund
Michael Janke
Co-Founder and Managing Partner at DataTribe
Rob
Advisor at TFX Capital

Frequently asked questions

Where does John Funge work?
John Funge is Managing Director & Investment Board Member at DataTribe and Founder at N2K Networks, Inc. and Founder at Balance Theory and Founder at Blackcloak.
What does John Funge invest in?
John Funge invests in AI & Machine Learning, Cybersecurity, Data & Infrastructure, Deep Tech, Defense Tech, Hardware.
What check size does John Funge write?
John Funge typically writes checks of $1M – $30M.
What companies did John Funge found?
John Funge founded Balance Theory, Blackcloak, CyberWire, N2K Networks, Inc..

Same school

Also attended INSEAD773

Patrick ClaessenPartner at Cottonwood Technology FundChris BischoffInvestment Team at General CatalystJan HammerInvestor at Index VenturesSandra SchwarzerInvestor at Index VenturesStephane KurganInvestor at Index VenturesMahesha SubramaniamHead of Client Relations at Golden Gate Ventures

+ 767 more

Also attended Carnegie Mellon University382

Javier SolteroSenior Venture Partner at Felicis VenturesAvi BharadwajInvestment Director at Intel CapitalOren EtzioniVenture Partner at Madrona Venture GroupDiana HuGeneral Partner at Y CombinatorVlad LoktevInvestor at Index VenturesJon ChuInvestor at Khosla Ventures

+ 376 more

Shared employers

Also worked at DataTribe17

RobAdvisor at TFX CapitalRobert Ackerman Jr.Managing Director and Founder at AllegisCyber CapitalRon GulaPresident at Gula Tech AdventuresMichael JankeCo-Founder and Managing Partner at DataTribeMatt MoranCFO at DataTribeLeo ScottManaging Director at DataTribe

+ 11 more

Also worked at WealthEngine3

Bobby YazdaniFounder & Managing Partner at Cota CapitalLeo ScottManaging Director at DataTribeAllanInvestor at UPNY Ventures

Also worked at Scripps Networks6

Richelle ParhamObvious Champion at Obvious VenturesLeo ScottManaging Director at DataTribePaul IaffaldanoGeneral Partner at BIP VenturesEmily KeetonVenture Advisor at Mercury FundAllie BurnsInvestor at Village CapitalMichael CostaAngel at New York Angels

Also worked at Sapient26

Garry TanPresident & CEO of Y CombinatorJosh SuttonCo-Founder and Advisory Partner at AI CapitalBill MurphyVenture Partner at LegalTechNitin MathurVenture Partner at FusionChris DeVoreManaging Partner at Founders' Co-opChristian SchulteManaging Director at coparion

+ 20 more