Silicon Valley’s Tandem Entrepreneurs has always been a small operation, focusing attention on a dozen or so mobile technology startups each year, but it’s showing signs of getting bigger. On Friday Tandem announced it has brought on two new partners: former BlackRock Asia-Pac Chairman Rohit Bhagat and Doug Ellis, co-founder of online advertising tech company Turn.
Considering that before these new additions Tadem had a roster of only three partners, that’s significant growth. Tandem typically accepts into its accelerator program three or four early-stage startups each quarter, making a $ 200,000 investment in each, as well as providing office space and mentoring.
With its newly bulked up team, though, Tandem plans to host and invest in a larger number of companies each year and expand its scope to more countries – while still maintaining its focus on mobile. Last year, Tandem closed its second fund, raising $ 32 million.
Tandem on Friday also revealed the three companies that make up its latest accelerator class:
- Tile: Tandem’s first mobile hardware investment, Tile has developed a small mobile tracking device that can be attached to any personal or important item, even pets.
- Swoopt: Currently in beta, Swoopt has developed fantasy sports gaming and tournament software for the mobile phone.
- HomeTapper: This startup is developing a rich-media experience for real-estate listings on the tablet.
Tandem is accepting applications for its summer class until May 1.
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