/People

Nicholas Francis

InvestorUnicorn founder

Founder at Unity Technologies

Copenhagen, Denmark

Writes $5K – $50K checks · typically $25K

FoundedUnity Technologies$19.1B

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Ask Shinobu TOYODA to introduce you to Nicholas

You →Shinobu · together at Unity Technologies (2011–2013) →Nicholas

Ask Jamie Chen to introduce you to Nicholas

You →Jamie · 11 people · together at Unity Technologies →Nicholas

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About

Nicholas Francis started the chain of events that became Unity with a single forum post. In May 2002 he asked for help building an open-source shader compiler for Mac game developers; a Berlin teenager called Joachim Ante replied, and in 2004 the two founded Unity in Copenhagen with David Helgason. As chief creative officer he spent nearly a decade shaping the engine that made game development accessible to people without a studio behind them. He left in 2013 to make games again, founding the Copenhagen studio Framebunker, and in 2022 became cornerstone investor in an agricultural technology fund with a $10 million commitment, arguing that farming is among the last industries technology has barely touched. He now runs the Francis Family Fund, a perpetual-horizon family office holding positions in Breakthrough Energy Ventures, DCVC and Fifth Wall Climate, which channels profits into education and emergency relief.

Beyond investing

More
It began with his May 2002 forum post asking for help on an open-source shader compiler for Mac game developers; Joachim Ante, then at school in Berlin, replied. Runs the Francis Family Fund, a perpetual-horizon family office holding positions in Breakthrough Energy Ventures, DCVC and Fifth Wall Climate, which channels profits into education and emergency relief.

From published sources — common ground for a warm intro.

Founder at Unity Technologies

Intro paths

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In turn, Nicholas can intro founders to Unity Technologies's investors below.

Co-founders at Unity Technologies

JAJoachim Ante

Investments

Per curated public sources.

Podcasts & interviews

featuring Nicholas Francis

Unite 2013 -- interview with Nicholas Francis, co-founder of Unity and framebunker

Unity

Frequently asked questions

Who is Nicholas Francis?
Nicholas Francis started the chain of events that became Unity with a single forum post. In May 2002 he asked for help building an open-source shader compiler for Mac game developers; a Berlin teenager called Joachim Ante replied, and in 2004 the two founded Unity in Copenhagen with David Helgason. As chief creative officer he spent nearly a decade shaping the engine that made game development accessible to people without a studio behind them. He left in 2013 to make games again, founding the Copenhagen studio Framebunker, and in 2022 became cornerstone investor in an agricultural technology fund with a $10 million commitment, arguing that farming is among the last industries technology has barely touched. He now runs the Francis Family Fund, a perpetual-horizon family office holding positions in Breakthrough Energy Ventures, DCVC and Fifth Wall Climate, which channels profits into education and emergency relief.
Where does Nicholas Francis work?
Nicholas Francis is Founder of Unity Technologies.
What check size does Nicholas Francis write?
Nicholas Francis typically writes checks of $5K – $50K.
What companies did Nicholas Francis found?
Nicholas Francis founded Unity Technologies.
What companies has Nicholas Francis invested in?
Investments tracked here include Reshape Biotech.
What podcasts and interviews feature Nicholas Francis?
Tracked appearances include "Unite 2013 -- interview with Nicholas Francis, co-founder of Unity and framebunker".