Cisco

Cisco Investments operates as the strategic corporate venture capital arm of Cisco Systems, a global technology conglomerate renowned for its networking hardware, telecommunications equipment, and IT services. Established with a long-term vision, Cisco Investments plays a crucial role in identifying and nurturing innovative startups that align with Cisco's strategic priorities and future technology roadmap. Its primary objective extends beyond financial returns, aiming to foster an ecosystem of innovation that can complement, enhance, or disrupt Cisco's core businesses and expand into new market segments.

The firm's investment thesis is deeply rooted in supporting technologies that are critical to the evolving digital landscape. Key areas of focus include cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions, advancements in enterprise artificial intelligence, cloud infrastructure, next-generation networking, the future of work, and the Internet of Things (IoT). Cisco Investments actively seeks companies developing foundational technologies and applications that can integrate with Cisco's vast product portfolio or address emerging market needs. This strategic alignment ensures that their portfolio companies not only receive capital but also gain potential access to Cisco's extensive customer base, technical expertise, and global market reach.

Cisco Investments demonstrates a flexible approach to investment stages, deploying capital across the entire spectrum from early-stage seed rounds to growth and late-stage funding. This broad mandate allows them to engage with promising ventures at various points in their development, providing crucial support as they scale. Over its extensive history, Cisco Investments has built an impressive portfolio, having invested in over 1,000 companies globally. Their commitment to fostering innovation is further evidenced by more than 200 successful exits through initial public offerings (IPOs) or strategic acquisitions, many of which have been by Cisco itself, such as AppDynamics and ThousandEyes. This robust track record underscores their dual role as both a financial investor and a strategic partner, often paving the way for future integration into Cisco's broader enterprise.