From Poker Tables to Startup Success: The Evolution of Startup Haven
What began as casual poker games among Seattle’s entrepreneurs in 2006 has evolved into a thriving network connecting founders and investors across multiple continents. Bob Crimmins, a University of Washington philosophy graduate and experienced software engineer, initially organized these gatherings as a way to bring startup founders and investors together around card tables.
Today, that modest initiative has grown into Startup Haven, an organization boasting over 2,500 members spread across 18 cities, including international chapters in Reykjavik and London. The organization recently achieved a significant milestone by partnering with Seattle’s Columbia Tower Club and The Collective, establishing its first physical headquarters. This collaboration provides members with access to co-working spaces, special events, and member breakfasts.
For Crimmins, poker wasn’t just about the game – it represented an innovative platform for relationship building, leveraging the unique dynamics of card playing to foster meaningful connections. What started as a passion project, operating at a financial loss but rich in community value, took a significant turn in 2019 when Crimmins decided to dedicate himself to Startup Haven full-time.
This commitment led to the creation of the Startup Haven Fund, capitalizing on the organization’s unique position to identify promising early-stage startups. The fund, which raised $4.5 million, typically invests between $100,000 and $300,000 in pre-seed rounds for emerging companies worldwide. Complementing the fund, Startup Haven also operates an accelerator program, sharing Crimmins’ extensive experience in startup mentorship and advisory roles.
Despite its expansion into investment and acceleration services, the organization maintains its foundational focus on community building through poker games and networking events. The Seattle chapter, where it all began, continues to serve as a testing ground for new initiatives like the recent headquarters space.
Crimmins remains optimistic about Seattle’s position in the startup ecosystem, describing it as “one of the best places on Earth to start a company.” He notes that the city has reached a mature phase where accumulated success and experience are driving better outcomes than ever before.
The organization operates with a lean team structure, including venture partners Jay Westerdal and Arry Yu, along with investment director Claudius Mbemba. Local chapter directors manage activities in each city, maintaining the community-focused approach that has defined Startup Haven since its inception.
The success of Startup Haven underscores the importance of creating spaces where experienced founders and investors can mentor newer entrepreneurs. Crimmins emphasizes that the most valuable assistance for founders comes from peers and investors who understand the challenges of building venture-scale companies.
This journey from informal poker gatherings to a multi-city network with investment capabilities demonstrates how simple ideas can evolve into significant resources for entrepreneurial communities. Through its combination of social events, investment opportunities, and mentorship programs, Startup Haven continues to foster connections and support startup growth across its expanding network.
The organization’s latest expansion into physical spaces in Seattle represents another step in its evolution, providing members with tangible resources while maintaining the informal,
relationship-focused approach that has been key to its success. As Startup Haven continues to grow, it remains rooted in its original mission of bringing entrepreneurs together and facilitating meaningful connections within the startup ecosystem.
