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CMEA Ventures

North America, California, United States, San Francisco

Description

CMEA Ventures, also known as CMEA Capital, was a prominent venture capital firm based in San Francisco, California, specializing in investments across high technology, life sciences, and alternative energy sectors. Founded in 1989, the firm established itself as an early and significant player in the venture capital landscape. However, it is crucial to note that CMEA Ventures is no longer an active investment firm, having ceased new investments and effectively closed its operations after its final fund.

Throughout its operational history, CMEA Ventures managed a substantial capital base, totaling approximately $1.2 billion across seven distinct funds. The firm's investment strategy typically focused on early-stage companies, providing significant capital to fuel their growth and innovation. Historically, CMEA Ventures' initial cheque sizes ranged from $5 million to $15 million, targeting companies with disruptive technologies and strong market potential within its core sectors. This approach allowed them to support a diverse portfolio of startups, from nascent biotech firms to emerging clean energy ventures.

Before its closure, CMEA Ventures built an impressive track record, marked by a substantial number of successful exits. The firm recorded over 100 exits, demonstrating its ability to identify and nurture promising companies to successful liquidity events, including IPOs and acquisitions. Its portfolio included notable companies across various technology and life science domains, contributing significantly to innovation in Silicon Valley and beyond. While its active investment period has concluded, CMEA Ventures' legacy remains in the companies it helped build and the capital it deployed over more than two decades.

Investor Profile

CMEA Ventures has backed more than 70 startups, with 0 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 8 rounds, about 11% of its total and boasts 33 exits across its portfolio.

Investment Focus Highlights

  • Concentrates on Series B, Series C, Series A rounds (top funding stages).
  • Majority of deals are located in United States, Canada, Singapore.
  • Strong thematic focus on Biotechnology, Health Care, Software.
  • Typical check size: $5M – $15M.

Stage Focus

  • Series B (27%)
  • Series C (26%)
  • Series A (19%)
  • Series Unknown (14%)
  • Series D (6%)
  • Private Equity (4%)
  • Debt Financing (3%)
  • Series E (1%)

Country Focus

  • United States (91%)
  • Canada (4%)
  • Singapore (4%)

Industry Focus

  • Biotechnology
  • Health Care
  • Software
  • Pharmaceutical
  • Consulting
  • Information Technology
  • Medical
  • Therapeutics
  • Biopharma
  • Manufacturing
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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn who this investor regularly partners with—both firms and angels—and explore their latest activity.

Who does CMEA Ventures frequently co-invest with?

Trident Capital
North America, California, United States, Palo Alto
Co-Investments: 7
InterWest Partners
North America, California, United States, Menlo Park
Co-Investments: 7
New Enterprise Associates
North America, California, United States, Menlo Park
Co-Investments: 8
Versant Ventures
North America, California, United States, Menlo Park
Co-Investments: 5
Boston Millennia Partners
North America, Massachusetts, United States, Boston
Co-Investments: 7
Burrill & Company
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Co-Investments: 4
U.S. Venture Partners
North America, California, United States, Menlo Park
Co-Investments: 8
L
North America, New York, United States, New York
Co-Investments: 5
Delphi Ventures
North America, California, United States, San Mateo
Co-Investments: 4
RRE Ventures
North America, New York, United States, New York
Co-Investments: 4

Which angels does CMEA Ventures often collaborate with?

Derek Lidow
North America, New Jersey, United States, Princeton
Shared Deals: 1
AZ
North America, California, United States, Mountain View
Shared Deals: 3

What are some of recent deals done by CMEA Ventures?

Odyssey Logistics & Technology Corporation

Danbury, Connecticut, United States

Odyssey Logistics & Technology Corporation (Odyssey) is a global logistics solutions provider with a freight network exceeding $3B globally.

ConsultingLogisticsSupply Chain Management
Series UnknownSep 4, 2014
Amount Raised: $40,000,000
Odyssey Logistics & Technology Corporation

Danbury, Connecticut, United States

Odyssey Logistics & Technology Corporation (Odyssey) is a global logistics solutions provider with a freight network exceeding $3B globally.

ConsultingLogisticsSupply Chain Management
Series UnknownJan 28, 2014
Amount Raised: $48,000,000
SurgiQuest

Orange, Connecticut, United States

SurgiQuest is a surgical device company in the field of minimally-invasive access technology.

BiotechnologyHealth CareMedicalMedical Device
Series CJul 8, 2011
Amount Raised: $19,000,000
Odyssey Logistics & Technology Corporation

Danbury, Connecticut, United States

Odyssey Logistics & Technology Corporation (Odyssey) is a global logistics solutions provider with a freight network exceeding $3B globally.

ConsultingLogisticsSupply Chain Management
Series UnknownDec 23, 2010
Amount Raised: $20,000,000
Solyndra

Fremont, California, United States

Solyndra manufactures cylindrical panels of CIGS thin-film solar cells.

ManufacturingRenewable EnergySolar
Private EquityJun 18, 2010
Amount Raised: $175,000,000
Tetraphase Pharmaceuticals

Watertown, Massachusetts, United States

Tetraphase Pharmaceuticals is a company leveraging a dynamic drug engine targeted at several significant disease categories.

BiopharmaBiotechnologyHealth Care
Series BSep 22, 2009
Amount Raised: $25,000,000
Draths Corporation

Lansing, Michigan, United States

Draths Corporation builds a chemical company that manufactures bio-based materials used in everyday products.

ChemicalCleanTechManufacturing
Series CMar 12, 2009
Amount Raised: $7,850,000
Arcadia Biosciences

Davis, California, United States

Arcadia Biosciences is an agricultural technology company developing products that benefit the environment and human health.

AgricultureBiotechnologyDietary SupplementsHealth Care
Private EquityOct 31, 2008
Amount Raised: $15,000,000
InSound Medical

Newark, California, United States

InSound Medical is a California-based venture-backed company that develops and manufactures hearing devices and systems.

Health CareManufacturingMedical Device
Series EOct 17, 2008
Amount Raised: $13,000,000
VeraLight

Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States

VeraLight is a medical device company focused on a comprehensive approach to non-invasive type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes screening.

DiabetesHealth CareMedical
Series CJun 3, 2008
Amount Raised: $20,000,000