John Hanke

Investment Stage

Focus Areas

About Investor

He founded Niantic and previously helped build Keyhole, the technology that became Google Earth. Their professional background provides exposure to AR, gaming, mapping, consumer internet, and mobile technology. They bring an operator-oriented perspective to investing, shaped by firsthand experience with products, customers, teams, and competitive markets. This experience can be valuable when evaluating product-market fit, distribution, monetization, hiring, partnerships, and the operational requirements of scaling a company. As an angel investor, they can be particularly relevant to founders who want practical feedback in addition to capital and introductions. Their network and domain knowledge can also help early-stage teams understand industry dynamics, refine positioning, and connect with strategic partners or later-stage investors. For founders, their profile combines entrepreneurial experience, sector familiarity, and an appreciation for the execution challenges that determine whether an early-stage company can grow into a durable business.