Mike Leffer
InvestorFounderManaging Partner at Riptide Ventures · Co-founder & President at Cantina
Baltimore, Maryland, United States
FoundedCantina
Find your path to Mike
710 people in our graph share verified history with Mike — schools, employers, funds. One of them is your warm intro.
About
Investor, advisor, founder and Army veteran who incubated Riptide while a Principal at Early Light Ventures. He was a founding team member at Squadra Ventures, an Investment Analyst with Baltimore Angels, and a two-time founder with one exit. Holds an MBA from Johns Hopkins and is a West Point graduate.
Contact· self-published, not guessed
Co-founder & President at Cantina
Intro paths
In turn, Mike can intro founders to Cantina's investors below.
Cantina's investors · 1
Co-founders at Cantina
Experience
- CantinaCo-Founder & Presidentcurrent2022 — present
- Riptide VenturesFounder & Managing Partnercurrent2022 — presentBaltimore, Maryland, United States
- Icarus MedicalBoard Membercurrent2025 — present
- Armaments Research CompanyBoard Membercurrent2024 — present
- YPOMembercurrent2025 — present
- Credit MountainBoard Member & Investor2021 — 2026
- PreviseInvestor2022 — 2025
- Bright Software, Inc.Investor2023 — 2024
- Early Light VenturesPrincipal2021 — 2022Baltimore, Maryland, United States
- Privva, Inc.Board Observer2020 — 2021
- Pinkaloo TechnologiesBoard Observer2019 — 2021Baltimore, Maryland, United States
- Squadra VenturesPrincipal & Founding Team2019 — 2021Baltimore, Maryland
- Baltimore AngelsBoard Advisor2019 — 2020Baltimore, Maryland Area
- Baltimore AngelsAssociate2017 — 2019Baltimore, Maryland Area
- Tread AthleticsCo-Founder and COO2015 — 2018Washington DC-Baltimore Area
- US ArmyOfficer2014 — 2017Schofield Barracks
Skills & more
Languages English · French
From Mike's professional profile.
Deals · 21
ScamneticSolo GP
via Riptide Ventures · filed May 2026
SonavexSolo GP
via Riptide Ventures · filed Oct 2024
Caretaker MedicalSolo GP
via Riptide Ventures · filed Feb 2023
Vita TherapeuticsSolo GP
via Riptide Ventures · filed Oct 2022
AllybehaviorSolo GP
via Riptide Ventures
ArmamentsSolo GP
via Riptide Ventures
Bark SocialSolo GP
via Riptide Ventures
Boston, MASolo GP
via Riptide Ventures
Credit MountainSolo GP
via Riptide Ventures
DiamondhookSolo GP
via Riptide Ventures
Hunt A KillerSolo GP
via Riptide Ventures
LearnwithbrightSolo GP
via Riptide Ventures
NeurointactSolo GP
via Riptide Ventures
OtoSet (Safkan Health)Solo GP
via Riptide Ventures
PoppySolo GP
via Riptide Ventures
PrevisedxSolo GP
via Riptide Ventures
ProductWindSolo GP
via Riptide Ventures
ReGelTecSolo GP
via Riptide Ventures
Status HeroSolo GP
via Riptide Ventures
UpEquitySolo GP
via Riptide Ventures
WoveSolo GP
via Riptide Ventures
Attribution from SEC filings, press coverage, and firm rosters. Some rows are inferred. Not right? Tell us.
Colleagues at Riptide Ventures
Frequently asked questions
- Who is Mike Leffer?
- Investor, advisor, founder and Army veteran who incubated Riptide while a Principal at Early Light Ventures. He was a founding team member at Squadra Ventures, an Investment Analyst with Baltimore Angels, and a two-time founder with one exit. Holds an MBA from Johns Hopkins and is a West Point graduate.
- Where does Mike Leffer work?
- Mike Leffer is Co-founder & President of Cantina and Managing Partner at Riptide Ventures.
- What companies did Mike Leffer found?
- Mike Leffer founded Cantina.
- Where did Mike Leffer go to school?
- Mike Leffer studied at The Johns Hopkins University - Carey Business School (Master of Business Administration - MBA); United States Military Academy at West Point (Bachelor’s Degree).
Founder mafias
United States Military Academy at West Point mafia37
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
+ 30 more
The Johns Hopkins University - Carey Business School mafia16
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
+ 9 more
Pinkaloo Technologies mafia2
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
SQUADRA VENTURES mafia2
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Same school
Also attended The Johns Hopkins University - Carey Business School63
+ 57 more
Also attended United States Military Academy at West Point163
+ 157 more
Shared employers
Also worked at YPO459
+ 453 more
Also worked at Pinkaloo Technologies2
Also worked at Squadra Ventures12
+ 6 more
