Floodgate, formerly Maples Investment, is a venture capital firm specializing in micro-cap investments in start-ups. The firm seeks to invest in technology related sectors, typically injecting between $150,000 and $1 million. Floodgate's specific industries of interest include hardware, software, small business, enterprise, Internet, B2B and consumer markets. The firm prefers to invest in companies located in either the San Francisco Bay Area or in Austin, Texas. It prefers to invest alongside other experienced private investors or top-tier venture firms.