ITU Ventures

ITU Ventures is a Los Angeles-based venture capital firm established in 1999, primarily focused on early-stage technology companies. The firm has a particular interest in startups emerging from university research and development, leveraging academic innovation into commercial ventures. Their investment thesis centers on identifying disruptive technologies and strong management teams within the information technology, software, and internet sectors.

The firm typically invests in Seed and Series A rounds, often taking on a lead investor role or co-investing alongside other prominent venture capital firms. ITU Ventures has managed multiple funds, including ITU Ventures Fund I, which raised $100 million, and ITU Ventures Fund II, which secured $150 million. These substantial fund sizes enable them to provide significant capital to their portfolio companies, supporting their growth from initial concept through critical development stages. Their investment strategy emphasizes long-term partnerships and active support for their portfolio companies.

Over its operational history, ITU Ventures has built a diverse portfolio of technology companies. According to available data, the firm has made approximately 35 investments, demonstrating a consistent commitment to the early-stage ecosystem. Their portfolio includes successful companies such as AppFolio, a leading provider of cloud-based business software, and NextBio, a genomics data analysis platform acquired by Illumina. The firm has also seen around 10 exits from its portfolio, through acquisitions or public listings, underscoring its ability to identify and nurture promising ventures to successful outcomes. ITU Ventures continues to be an active participant in the Southern California tech scene, contributing to the region's innovation economy.