
Rand Capital
Description
Rand Capital Corporation, a publicly traded Business Development Company (BDC) based in Buffalo, New York, has been a long-standing player in the venture capital landscape since its establishment in 1969. As a BDC, it operates under the Investment Company Act of 1940, providing capital to small and medium-sized businesses. The firm primarily targets companies located within New York and its surrounding states, aiming to foster regional economic growth through strategic investments.
Rand Capital's investment philosophy centers on identifying companies with robust fundamentals and significant growth potential. They seek out businesses that demonstrate a strong, experienced management team, a proven and scalable business model, and a well-defined trajectory towards profitability and expansion. While not strictly sector-limited, their portfolio spans diverse industries, including technology, healthcare, manufacturing, and business services, reflecting a broad approach to identifying promising ventures.
The firm's typical initial investment ranges from $1.0 million to $3.0 million, providing crucial early-stage and growth capital. However, Rand Capital possesses the flexibility to participate in larger funding rounds, extending their capacity to invest up to $5.0 million in select opportunities. This flexible approach allows them to support companies at various stages of their development, from those requiring initial seed funding to more mature businesses seeking growth equity.
As of September 30, 2023, Rand Capital's total investment portfolio at fair value stood at $68.5 million, underscoring their substantial commitment to their portfolio companies. At that same date, their portfolio comprised 14 distinct companies, showcasing a focused yet diversified investment approach. These figures highlight Rand Capital's active role in deploying capital to support innovative and growing businesses within their target regions.
Investor Profile
Rand Capital has backed more than 48 startups, with 1 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 12 rounds, about 25% of its total and boasts 15 exits across its portfolio.
Investment Focus Highlights
- Concentrates on Series Unknown, Series B, Seed rounds (top funding stages).
- Majority of deals are located in United States.
- Strong thematic focus on Software, Health Care, Manufacturing.
- Typical check size: $1M – $5M.
Stage Focus
- Series Unknown (38%)
- Series B (17%)
- Seed (15%)
- Series A (13%)
- Series C (8%)
- Series D (6%)
- Convertible Note (2%)
- Post Ipo Debt (2%)
Country Focus
- United States (100%)
Industry Focus
- Software
- Health Care
- Manufacturing
- Medical Device
- Analytics
- Social Media
- Information Technology
- Enterprise Software
- Internet
- Biotechnology
Frequently Asked Questions
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