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Catapult Ventures is a venture capital firm founded in 2017 by Darren Liccardo and Rouz Jazayeri. Based in Silicon Valley, the firm focuses on early-stage startups, particularly in the pre-seed and seed stages. The founders bring extensive operational experience in technology and venture capital, having previously worked in significant roles within the automotive and aerospace sectors. This background allows Catapult Ventures to provide valuable insights and support to its portfolio companies.
The firm has established itself as a key player in the deep tech investment space, particularly in sectors such as robotics, industrial automation, IoT, AI, healthcare, and consumer electronics. Catapult Ventures has a portfolio of nine companies and has achieved notable exits, including Oculii and XNOR.ai. The firm is recognized for its commitment to supporting founders who challenge conventional approaches and create competitive advantages through interdisciplinary thinking.
Catapult Ventures primarily invests in pre-seed and seed-stage startups located in North America. The firm focuses on a diverse range of sectors, including robotics, industrial manufacturing, embedded systems, IoT, machine learning, AI, automotive, aerospace, agriculture, construction, healthcare, and consumer electronics. Their investment strategy emphasizes the intersection of hardware, embedded systems, and software, believing that this synergy unlocks innovative solutions that can disrupt traditional markets.
Catapult Ventures seeks founders who are not only technically grounded but also willing to challenge the status quo. The firm typically invests between $100,000 and $2 million per startup, allowing them to lead or co-lead seed rounds. Their approach includes providing strategic guidance and leveraging industry connections to help startups scale effectively. This focus on early-stage investments positions Catapult Ventures as a significant player in the deep tech landscape.
Catapult Ventures has a notable portfolio of nine companies, each contributing to various innovative sectors:
Among these, notable exits include Oculii, XNOR.ai, Left Hand Robotics, and FlightWave, showcasing the firm's successful track record in identifying and nurturing high-potential startups.
Darren Liccardo: Co-Founder of Catapult Ventures, Darren has a background as the former BMW North American autonomous driving research lead. He was instrumental in architecting BMW's first internal venture fund and has held significant roles at Crossbow Technology as Director of Inertial Systems. His expertise spans automotive and aerospace sectors.
Rouz Jazayeri: Co-Founder of Catapult Ventures, Rouz brings over 30 years of combined operational experience in technology and venture capital. His extensive background complements Darren's, focusing on deep tech investments.
Michael Paniccia: Associate at Catapult Ventures, Michael supports the investment team with research and analysis, contributing to the firm's strategic decision-making processes.
To pitch to Catapult Ventures, founders should submit their proposals through the firm's website at catapult.vc. The pitch deck should include a clear overview of the business model, market opportunity, and the team's technical expertise. Catapult Ventures prefers direct inquiries via email at inquiries@catapult.vc.
Response times may vary, but the firm is committed to reviewing all proposals thoroughly. Founders are encouraged to provide as much detail as possible to facilitate the evaluation process.
Catapult Ventures has been actively engaging with the startup ecosystem since its founding in 2017. The firm has achieved multiple notable exits, including Oculii, which raised $55 million in a Series B round and was acquired by Ametek in 2021. Another significant exit was XNOR.ai, acquired by Apple for approximately $200 million in 2020.
In addition to these exits, Catapult Ventures has invested in various sectors, including robotics and AI, demonstrating a strong commitment to supporting innovative startups. The firm continues to review investment proposals and connect with founders through its website.
What are Catapult Ventures' investment criteria?
Catapult Ventures invests in pre-seed and seed-stage startups primarily in North America, focusing on sectors such as robotics, AI, healthcare, and industrial automation. They look for founders who challenge the status quo and possess a strong technical background.
How can founders apply or pitch to Catapult Ventures?
Founders can submit their proposals through the Catapult Ventures website at catapult.vc. They encourage direct inquiries via email at inquiries@catapult.vc.
What makes Catapult Ventures different from other VC firms?
Catapult Ventures differentiates itself by focusing on the intersection of hardware, embedded systems, and software. Their founders have extensive operational experience, which allows them to provide strategic guidance and industry connections to their portfolio companies.
What is the typical check size for investments?
Catapult Ventures typically invests between $100,000 and $2 million in each startup, allowing them to lead or co-lead seed rounds.
What is the geographic scope of Catapult Ventures?
The firm primarily focuses on startups located in North America, particularly those innovating in deep tech sectors.
What kind of post-investment involvement does Catapult Ventures have?
Catapult Ventures provides strategic guidance and operational support to its portfolio companies, leveraging the founders' extensive industry experience to help startups scale effectively.
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