Moontower Ventures: EARLY STAGE
VENTURE CAPITAL
We back founders using their unique insights to tackle consequential problems.
THE VC JARGON SECTION
If you've read a few venture websites, you've basically read them all.
They read like startup Twitter fed into a LLM prompted to "inspirational poster" mode.
"We back bold visionaries redefining the future with conviction." ✨
(translated: we wait to see who else is investing)
"We invest in legendary companies before they're legendary." 🛸
(translated: we think pretty, pretty highly of ourselves)
"Building tomorrow's best companies today." 💫
(translated: we take credit for the good ones)
It's not wrong… it's just not saying much.
We won't pretend like our own lame headline statement, or these next few lines, will blow your mind. We'll try to do our best though to share how we think about early stage investing:
PROBLEM CENTRIC
We look for founders with an earned perspective — solving a problem they can't ignore, even if no one else sees it yet.
TRULY EARLY STAGE
We don't expect every dot to be connected. We're proudly seed investors, backing the vision before there's a P&L.
PRIORITIZE GRIT
We don't invest in pedigree. We look for resolve — the kind of that keeps going after the hype fades.
No buzzwords. No mythology. No podcasting, tweet wars, or SPACs.
Just a deep respect for those brave enough to build something from scratch.
PORTFOLIO
PREVIOUS INVESTMENTS
Wesley — Austin, TX
About the Founder
Wesley Gottesman
Founding Partner
Born and raised in Austin, TX
University of Virginia
McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas
Wesley Gottesman is an operator-turned-investor with experience building consumer start-ups. He helped launch Nine Brand with NFL quarterback Drew Brees and led product at PHLUR and Buzz Points — both venture-backed companies where he operated under the growth expectations that come with institutional capital.
He spent 7.5 years at Brand Foundry Ventures, where he was promoted to Partner in 2023. BFV invested $86M into early-stage companies he sourced.
Wesley currently serves on the board of Collx, GigSafe, and Zippy.
VENTURE PARTNERS
They're in the thick of it, actively building great businesses. That operating perspective helps Moontower spot the right founders and support them with insights that truly matter.
FRANK EDEN
TYLER ADAMS
MAX TENNEY
Frank Eden
Former SVP @ Chobani
Frank is a Senior Vice President at Chobani, leading their La Colombe wholesale coffee business since 2019. Prior to that, Frank served in several product, supply chain and manufacturing leadership roles helping to transform La Colombe into a CPG business with the launch of the Draft Latte ready-to-drink coffee. Chobani acquired La Colombe in 2023.
Before La Colombe, Frank spent 7 years as an entrepreneur in the financial services technology space.
Tyler Adams
Founder of CertifID
Tyler Adams is the co-founder and CEO of CertifID, a security platform that's protected over $100B in wire transactions from fraud. He's led the company's growth across real estate, legal, and financial services while raising more than $80M from investors across the heartland and both coasts.
He brings firsthand experience building a tech company, a clear understanding of what it takes to properly capitalize one, and a network that reflects both.
Max Tenney
Former CFO of Lalo Tequila
Max is the Chief Financial Officer who guided LALO Tequila through a period of accelerated growth and ultimately its sale to Tito's. Prior to LALO, Max led finance at Waterloo Sparkling Water and Daring, helping both brands evolve from early momentum to disciplined, scalable CPG businesses. He combines real operating experience with a strong command of how consumer brands are built, funded, and grown.
ADVISORS
AUSTIN, TEXAS
From the live music capital of the world, we're part of a community that values authenticity, creativity, and just straight up, being weird. That spirit flows through everything we do.
Reach Out
Got a problem worth solving? We'd love to hear about it.