Tao Huang
Managing Partner @ Ridgeline Ventures
Chicago, United States
Tao Huang is a seed investor at Ridgeline Ventures in Chicago focused on E-Commerce and Health Care. Tao Huang was previously the Chief Operating Officer of Morningstar, Inc., a leading independent provider of investment research around the world, until his retirement in December 2010.Tao Huang spent almost 20 years with Morningstar, taking on increasing levels of responsibility from his start as an entry level technical programmer. He was theDirector of Technology in 1992 and was named as the Chief Technology Officer in 1996; he started Morningstar’s International Operation in 1998, held the position of President of International Division until 2000; he was promoted as the Company’s Chief Operating Officer in October 2000 and served in this position until his retirement. Tao Huang led Morningstar initiatives enabling significant growth, both organically and through acquisition, and oversaw continuous improvements in the operations of the firm’s core businesses. Tao Huang has been Director of Principal Variable Contracts Funds Inc. - Principal Capital Appreciation Account since March 2012. Tao Huang earned a bachelor’s degree from Hunan University, China. He received an MS degree from Marquette University and an MBA from the Booth School at the University of Chicago.
- Total investments:
- 5
- Last investment:
- Lead investor:
- 20%
Last updated:
For AI agents: llms.txt
Industries Tao Huang invests in
Stages Tao Huang invests in
Countries Tao Huang invests in
Investment Focus
Industry
- E-Commerce 2 (40%)
- Health Care 2 (40%)
- Hotel 1 (20%)
- EBooks 1 (20%)
- Eyewear 1 (20%)
Stage
- Seed 2 (40%)
- Series C 1 (20%)
- Series D 1 (20%)
- Funding Round 1 (20%)
Country
- United States 4 (80%)
- China 1 (20%)
Investments
| Company | Description | Round | Links |
|---|---|---|---|
ReloShare
|
ReloShare is the first and only alias-based hotel booking platform for government and social services organizations. The company's software includes capabilities such as real-time inventory display, client booking, short-term financing via consolidated invoicing, and more. ReloShare's real-time instant booking transforms a time-consumingprocedure now measured in days into a simple process measured in minutes. The Grove maximizes efficiency for existing shelter networks as a SaaS shelter availability sharing tool. | $3.6M / Seed / Apr 07, 2023 | |
Biotheus
|
Biotheus is an up-and-coming biotech company focused on curing malignant tumors and autoimmune diseases. Biotheus is committed to research and development, and commercialization of first-class innovative biologics mainly through the discovery of next-generation multispecific antibodies. | $100M / Series D / Mar 02, 2021 | |
Backstop Solutions Group
|
Backstop's mission is to help professionals in the institutional investment industry use the time to its fullest potential. We develop technology to simplify and streamline otherwise time-consuming tasks and processes, enabling our clients to quickly and easily access, share, and manage the knowledge that is critical to their day-to-daybusiness success. Backstop provides its industry-leading cloud-based productivity suite to investment consultants, pensions, funds of funds, family offices, endowments, foundations, private equity, hedge funds, and real estate investment firms. | $20M / Oct 30, 2018 | |
RedShelf
|
RedShelf is a distributor of digital learning materials. It provides technology to the learning community to accelerate the transition to digital. In collaboration with strategic partners, publishers, institutions, and campus bookstores, RedShelf offers easily accessible and cost-effective learning materials to students everywhere. | $25M / Series C / Aug 24, 2018 | |
Visibly
|
Visibly is the first online vision test that can deliver a prescription for glasses or contacts. The test can be taken from anywhere, at any time, and a doctor issued prescription can be used to shop everywhere. Visibly is the manufacturer and distributor of Visibly Digital Acuity Product This product has not been approved by the FDA. The dataand recommendations made by the Visibly Digital Acuity Product are adjunctive (supporting) recommendations that will be used by an Eye Care Provider, along with your medical history and profile, prior corrective eyewear prescriptions, and subjective data provided about your vision. It is the responsibility of the patient to provide accurate information through the process as all of this information will be relied upon as accurate by the reviewing Eye Care Provider. | $1M / Seed / Feb 25, 2014 |
Co-Investors
About Ridgeline Ventures
Ridgeline Ventures (formerly Range Light) is a venture investment firm in natural foods and active lifestyle companies. They invest in founders and companies who are looking for more than just capital. They help healthy living brands map out their strategic vision and bring that vision to life.As former operators, they understand what it’s liketo be in the trenches and they use their experience to provide strategic guidance, operating expertise, and a vast network of contacts for teams seeking a collaborative partner.They look for natural foods and active lifestyle brands with awesome teams and products they love. They are drawn to companies that are dedicated to making a difference and helping people live healthier lives.Because they invest their own capital, they have extraordinary flexibility in the size and type of investments they make, as well as the stage of the company in which they invest. They are comfortable leading investment rounds and also like to collaborate with like-minded partners."
Ridgeline Ventures Contacts
| Name | Phone | Socials | |
|---|---|---|---|
Erich Tengelsen
Founding Partner
|
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Luke Vernon
Managing Partner
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Tao Huang
Managing Partner
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2 more contacts available
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FAQ
What does Tao Huang invest in?
Tao Huang invests primarily in E-Commerce, Health Care and Hotel startups, most often at Seed and Series C stage. Most of the 5 investments tracked by Shizune back companies in United States. The Investment Focus section breaks down every industry, stage and country in the portfolio.
When did Tao Huang last invest?
The most recent investment recorded for Tao Huang closed in Apr 2023. Shizune tracks 5 investments in total for this profile, including round sizes, stages and portfolio companies, all sourced from confirmed public funding rounds and refreshed monthly.
Is Shizune's investor data accurate?
Yes — every stat on this profile is calculated from confirmed public funding rounds monitored across hundreds of sources since 2020. This profile was last refreshed in Aug 2026 and is updated monthly. Spotted something off? Use the “Suggest an edit” link near the top of the page.
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