Safar Partners
Description
Safar Partners is a Cambridge, Massachusetts-based venture capital firm specializing in deep technology investments. The firm primarily targets disruptive innovations emerging from leading academic institutions, particularly Harvard and MIT, leveraging their proximity to these research hubs. Safar Partners' investment thesis centers on transforming groundbreaking scientific and engineering research into commercially viable enterprises.
The firm adopts a flexible investment approach, engaging with companies from the seed stage through to growth rounds. Their portfolio spans a diverse array of high-tech sectors, including artificial intelligence and machine learning, robotics, biotechnology, advanced materials, and quantum computing. Safar Partners aims to provide not just capital but also strategic guidance and operational support to help these complex technologies scale and achieve market penetration.
Safar Partners has demonstrated significant fundraising success, having raised a total of $180 million across two funds. Their latest vehicle, Safar Partners Fund II, closed in 2021 with $100 million in commitments, building on their earlier $80 million fund. The firm typically deploys initial investments ranging from $1 million to $10 million, with the capacity to participate in larger follow-on rounds as portfolio companies mature. As of late 2023, Crunchbase indicates Safar Partners has made approximately 59 investments and achieved 6 exits, underscoring their active role in the deep tech ecosystem.
Investor Profile
Safar Partners has backed more than 63 startups, with 5 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 14 rounds, about 22% of its total and boasts 2 exits across its portfolio.
Investment Focus Highlights
- Concentrates on Series A, Seed, Series Unknown rounds (top funding stages).
- Majority of deals are located in United States, China.
- Strong thematic focus on Health Care, Biotechnology, Artificial Intelligence (AI).
- Led 2 rounds in the past year.
- Typical check size: $1M – $10M.
Stage Focus
- Series A (25%)
- Seed (24%)
- Series Unknown (19%)
- Series B (17%)
- Convertible Note (6%)
- Pre Seed (3%)
- Series D (2%)
- Series E (2%)
- Series C (2%)
Country Focus
- United States (98%)
- China (2%)
Industry Focus
- Health Care
- Biotechnology
- Artificial Intelligence (Ai)
- Information Technology
- Medical
- Manufacturing
- Energy
- Renewable Energy
- Robotics
- Clean Energy
Frequently Asked Questions
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