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Commerce Ventures is a venture capital firm founded in 2013 and headquartered in San Francisco, California. The firm manages over $500 million across five funds and has made more than 139 investments since its inception. Commerce Ventures focuses on technology innovations within the retail and financial services sectors, aiming to generate returns while creating value for all stakeholders involved.
Since its founding, Commerce Ventures has established itself as a key player in the venture capital landscape, particularly in the United States. The firm has a diverse portfolio of over 40 active companies, ranging from early-stage startups to established market leaders. Notable milestones include significant exits such as Bill.com, Vestwell, and MX, showcasing the firm's ability to identify and nurture high-potential companies.
Commerce Ventures specializes in early-stage investments within the commerce sector, particularly in fintech, retail, payments, banking, and insurance. The firm employs a thematic investment strategy, focusing on areas such as AI-driven commerce, tokenizing value through stablecoins, and modernizing commercial lending. Typically, Commerce Ventures invests in Seed and Series A rounds, favoring companies that demonstrate market-ready solutions and early customer adoption.
The firm’s investment criteria emphasize the importance of a strong founding team and innovative business models. Commerce Ventures seeks to partner with companies that can leverage its extensive network of strategic limited partners, which includes major banks, retailers, and insurers, to facilitate growth and market entry.
Commerce Ventures has built a diverse portfolio of notable companies, including:
The active portfolio consists of over 40 companies, showcasing a range of innovations across the commerce continuum.
Dan Rosen: Partner at Commerce Ventures, Dan has a background in venture capital and has led numerous successful investments in the fintech and commerce sectors. His expertise includes identifying high-potential startups and guiding them through the early stages of growth.
To pitch to Commerce Ventures, founders should submit their pitch deck via email to startups@commerce.vc. The firm prefers concise presentations that clearly outline the business model, market opportunity, and team background. Response times may vary, but founders can expect to hear back within a few weeks.
Commerce Ventures runs the CV Access Fellowship, which aims to train aspiring venture capitalists from underrepresented backgrounds. The fellowship accepts applications annually, providing participants with valuable insights and experience in the venture capital industry.
As of March 2023, Commerce Ventures has made 13 new investments in the last 12 months, maintaining an active deployment pace. The firm continues to expand its portfolio, which currently includes over 40 active companies. Notable recent activity includes the successful IPO of Bill.com, which has become a flagship return for the firm.
Q?
What are the investment criteria for Commerce Ventures?
A Commerce Ventures focuses on early-stage companies in the commerce sector, particularly in fintech, retail, payments, banking, and insurance. They prefer companies with market-ready solutions and early customer adoption.
Q?
How can founders apply or pitch to Commerce Ventures?
A Founders can pitch to Commerce Ventures by visiting their website at commerce.vc or by emailing their pitch deck to startups@commerce.vc.
Q?
What makes Commerce Ventures different from other VC firms?
A The firm’s strategic LP network, which includes major banks, retailers, and insurers, provides not only capital but also valuable partnerships and customer access for portfolio companies.
Q?
What is the typical check size for investments?
A Commerce Ventures typically invests in Seed rounds averaging $5.06 million and Series A rounds averaging $15.9 million.
Q?
What is the geographic focus of Commerce Ventures?
A Commerce Ventures primarily invests in companies based in the United States.
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