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Cadenza is a venture capital firm founded by a team of operators, investors, and technologists in New York and San Francisco. The firm focuses on backing founders who are building enduring businesses across various sectors and stages. Cadenza operates with a stage-agnostic approach, allowing them to invest in companies at different points in their lifecycle, from Friends & Family rounds to Growth Equity.
Currently, Cadenza manages a portfolio of 24 companies and has a dedicated fund size of $50 million specifically for cryptocurrency investments. The firm has established itself as a significant player in the venture capital space, particularly in North America, where it primarily operates. Cadenza's notable milestones include investments in leading companies across diverse sectors, showcasing their commitment to supporting innovation and technology.
Cadenza employs a stage-agnostic, thesis-driven investment strategy that targets category-defining opportunities across various sectors, including AI, fintech, healthcare, biotech, consumer, commerce, edtech, climate, govtech, and cybersecurity. The firm invests at multiple stages, including Friends & Family, Angel, Accelerator/Incubator, Pre-seed, Seed, Seed+, Series A, Series B, Series C, and Growth Equity. This flexibility allows Cadenza to engage with startups at different development phases, providing tailored support based on their unique needs.
The firm emphasizes deep fundamental research combined with active partnership, which assists teams in scaling from early conviction to long-term market leadership. Cadenza seeks founders who demonstrate a strong vision and the capability to build enduring businesses. Their investment approach is characterized by a commitment to innovation-led industries, ensuring that they remain at the forefront of technological advancements.
Cadenza's portfolio includes a diverse range of companies across various sectors, showcasing their broad investment strategy. Notable investments include:
Kumar Dandapani: Managing Partner at Cadenza, Kumar has extensive experience in venture capital and technology. He has led numerous successful investments across various sectors.
Max Shapiro: Managing Partner, Max brings a wealth of knowledge in business services and innovation-led industries, having worked with several high-growth startups.
Harris Wellner: Operating Partner, Harris has a strong background in operational management and has been instrumental in scaling portfolio companies.
Eric Meltzer: Principal at Cadenza, Eric focuses on sourcing and evaluating new investment opportunities, leveraging his expertise in technology.
Kelly Yip: Entrepreneur in Residence, Kelly provides mentorship and guidance to portfolio founders, drawing from her experience in launching successful startups.
Andrew Liu: Associate, Andrew supports the investment team in due diligence and market research.
Richarde Li: Associate, Richarde assists in evaluating potential investments and managing portfolio performance.
Ben Spong: General Manager at PredictEX, Ben brings operational expertise to the firm, enhancing the support provided to portfolio companies.
Alex Acero: Venture Partner, Alex has a strong background in venture capital and technology, contributing to Cadenza's investment strategy.
To pitch Cadenza, founders should send an email to info@cadenza.vc. It is important to include a comprehensive pitch deck that outlines the business model, market analysis, and team qualifications. Cadenza appreciates detailed information that demonstrates the startup's potential for growth and innovation.
Response times may vary, but founders can expect to hear back within a few weeks. While warm introductions can be beneficial, they are not strictly necessary for submitting a pitch.
In recent months, Cadenza has made several notable investments, including backing companies like Together.ai and Kraken, which are leading players in their respective sectors. The firm continues to expand its portfolio, focusing on innovative solutions across technology and business services.
Cadenza has also been actively involved in discussions around cryptocurrency investments, leveraging their dedicated $50 million fund to capitalize on emerging opportunities in the digital asset space. Their commitment to supporting transformative technologies remains a key aspect of their investment strategy.
What are Cadenza's investment criteria?
Cadenza invests in category-defining opportunities across various sectors, including AI, fintech, healthcare, and more. They focus on companies at different stages, from Friends & Family to Growth Equity.
How can I apply or pitch to Cadenza?
Founders can pitch to Cadenza by sending an email to info@cadenza.vc. It is advisable to include a detailed overview of the business, market opportunity, and team background in the pitch.
What makes Cadenza different from other venture capital firms?
Cadenza combines deep fundamental research with active partnership, which helps startups scale effectively. Their stage-agnostic approach allows them to support companies at various points in their lifecycle.
What is Cadenza's geographic scope?
Cadenza primarily operates in North America, focusing on the United States. They are open to investing in startups that demonstrate strong potential for growth and innovation.
What is Cadenza's post-investment involvement like?
Cadenza takes an active role in supporting their portfolio companies, providing resources, mentorship, and strategic guidance to help them achieve long-term success.
What is the typical check size for Cadenza's investments?
Cadenza invests across a range of stages, and while specific check sizes may vary, they are known to engage in early-stage funding as well as larger growth equity investments.
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