Cayuga Venture Fund
Description
Cayuga Venture Fund (CVF) is a well-established venture capital firm based in Ithaca, New York, with a dedicated focus on fostering advanced technology and high-growth companies within the Upstate New York region. Founded in 1994, CVF has built a long-standing reputation for identifying and supporting promising early-stage ventures that contribute to the economic vitality of the area. Their investment strategy is deeply rooted in regional development, aiming to capitalize on the innovation emerging from local universities and research institutions.
The firm primarily targets seed and early-stage investment opportunities, providing crucial capital to nascent companies. CVF typically deploys initial investments ranging from $250,000 to $1,500,000, demonstrating a commitment to significant early-stage funding. They often prefer to lead or co-lead investment rounds, taking a proactive role in shaping the financial trajectory of their portfolio companies. This approach allows them to exert meaningful influence and provide strategic guidance from the outset.
Cayuga Venture Fund's investment philosophy extends beyond mere capital provision; they are known for their active involvement with portfolio companies. The firm frequently secures board seats, enabling them to offer hands-on operational and strategic support. Their sector focus is broad yet specific to high-tech industries, encompassing software, materials science, life sciences, and other innovative technology sectors. This diversified yet specialized approach allows them to leverage expertise across various cutting-edge fields, supporting a diverse array of entrepreneurial endeavors in the region.
Investor Profile
Cayuga Venture Fund has backed more than 29 startups, with 0 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 8 rounds, about 28% of its total and boasts 9 exits across its portfolio.
Investment Focus Highlights
- Concentrates on Series Unknown, Seed, Series A rounds (top funding stages).
- Majority of deals are located in United States, Germany.
- Strong thematic focus on Manufacturing, Social Media, Telecommunications.
- Typical check size: $250K – $1.5M.
Stage Focus
- Series Unknown (31%)
- Seed (31%)
- Series A (21%)
- Series B (7%)
- Series C (7%)
- Convertible Note (3%)
Country Focus
- United States (97%)
- Germany (3%)
Industry Focus
- Manufacturing
- Social Media
- Telecommunications
- Charity
- Crm
- Crowdfunding
- Non Profit
- Biotechnology
- Health Care
- Health Diagnostics
Frequently Asked Questions
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