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Cycad Group

North America, California, United States, Santa Barbara

Description

Cycad Group is a venture capital firm based in Santa Barbara, California, specializing in equity investments in early to intermediate stage technology companies. Established with a focus on supporting innovative tech ventures, the firm operates with a relatively private profile. Its primary known fund, Cycad Group Fund I, L.P., was established in 2018 with a total capital commitment of $10 million. This fund size suggests a strategy focused on a concentrated portfolio, likely involving a mix of initial investments and follow-on capital for promising portfolio companies.

The firm's investment philosophy targets companies poised for significant growth within the technology sector. While public information on their most recent investment activities is limited, their historical portfolio includes notable companies such as AppFolio (APPF) and Procore (PCOR), both of which have achieved substantial market presence. These investments highlight Cycad Group's capacity to identify and back companies that can scale effectively, potentially indicating a preference for business models with clear paths to market leadership.

Given the $10 million fund size and their stated interest in early to intermediate stage companies, Cycad Group's typical initial check sizes would likely fall within a specific range. For a fund of this scale, initial investments often range from approximately $500,000 to $2,000,000, allowing for participation in multiple rounds and reserving capital for follow-on opportunities. The firm's limited public presence, including a "coming soon" website and a lack of recent public investment announcements since 2019, suggests a highly selective or private investment approach, or that the 2018 fund is largely deployed.

Investor Profile

Cycad Group has backed more than 26 startups, with 0 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 2 rounds, about 8% of its total and boasts 8 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.
  • Strong thematic focus on Biotechnology, Health Care, Medical.
  • Typical check size: $500K – $2M.

Stage Focus

  • Series B (31%)
  • Series C (19%)
  • Series A (19%)
  • Series Unknown (12%)
  • Series D (8%)
  • Private Equity (4%)
  • Post Ipo Equity (4%)
  • Grant (4%)

Country Focus

  • United States (100%)

Industry Focus

  • Biotechnology
  • Health Care
  • Medical
  • Health Diagnostics
  • Manufacturing
  • Clinical Trials
  • Pharmaceutical
  • Automotive
  • Therapeutics
  • Advanced Materials
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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 Cycad Group frequently co-invest with?

Novartis Venture Fund
Europe, Basel-Stadt, Switzerland, Basel
Co-Investments: 3
Morningside Group
North America, Massachusetts, United States, Newton Center
Co-Investments: 3
Skyline Ventures
North America, California, United States, Palo Alto
Co-Investments: 4
Johnson & Johnson Development Corporation
North America, New Jersey, United States, New Brunswick
Co-Investments: 3
SR One
North America, Massachusetts, United States, Cambridge
Co-Investments: 4
MP Healthcare Venture Management
North America, Massachusetts, United States, Boston
Co-Investments: 3
Polaris Partners
North America, Massachusetts, United States, Boston
Co-Investments: 6
Lux Capital
North America, New York, United States, New York
Co-Investments: 4
EnerTech Capital
North America, Pennsylvania, United States, Ambler
Co-Investments: 5
Auriga Partners
Europe, Ile-de-France, France, Paris
Co-Investments: 3

Which angels does Cycad Group often collaborate with?

JP
North America, Virginia, United States, Great Falls
Shared Deals: 2
PP
North America, California, United States, Los Angeles
Shared Deals: 1

What are some of recent deals done by Cycad Group?

Prelude

Seattle, Washington, United States

Prelude is a technology company that helps organizations proactively ask questions of their security systems to advance their defenses.

Cyber SecurityDesktop AppsInformation Technology
Series AApr 12, 2022
Amount Raised: $24,000,000
ImaginAb

Inglewood, California, United States

ImaginAb clinically manages cancer and autoimmune diseases via molecular imaging by re-engineering antibodies into small proteins.

BiotechnologyClinical TrialsHealth CareHealth Diagnostics
Series UnknownJun 3, 2021
Amount Raised: $12,800,000
UNITY Biotechnology

South San Francisco, California, United States

Unity Biotechnology designs therapeutics that prevent, halt, and reverse various diseases of aging.

BiotechnologyHealth CareMedical
Series CMar 19, 2018
Amount Raised: $55,000,000
Visterra

Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

Visterra researches on and develops therapeutic and diagnostic products for the treatment of infectious diseases.

BiotechnologyClinical TrialsHealth DiagnosticsTherapeutics
Series COct 5, 2017
Amount Raised: $23,600,000
ImaginAb

Inglewood, California, United States

ImaginAb clinically manages cancer and autoimmune diseases via molecular imaging by re-engineering antibodies into small proteins.

BiotechnologyClinical TrialsHealth CareHealth Diagnostics
Series UnknownSep 14, 2017
Amount Raised: $8,000,000
UNITY Biotechnology

South San Francisco, California, United States

Unity Biotechnology designs therapeutics that prevent, halt, and reverse various diseases of aging.

BiotechnologyHealth CareMedical
Series BAug 17, 2017
Amount Raised: $35,000,000
NanoSteel

Providence, Rhode Island, United States

NanoSteel is an advanced materials company specializing in the design and commercialization of patented nanostructured steel materials.

Advanced MaterialsAutomotiveNanotechnology
Series UnknownNov 14, 2016
Amount Raised: $2,499,970
ClarVista Medical

Aliso Viejo, California, United States

ClarVista Medical based in Aliso Viejo, California is a leading developer of innovative products to treat challenging ophthalmic conditions.

Health CareHealth DiagnosticsMedical
Series BMay 20, 2015
Amount Raised: $14,520,000
SOFIE

Culver City, California, United States

SOFIE is a molecular imaging company focused on empowering people with new PET technologies.

BiotechnologyLife ScienceManufacturingMedical DevicePharmaceutical
GrantOct 17, 2014
Amount Raised: $1,500,000
Visterra

Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

Visterra researches on and develops therapeutic and diagnostic products for the treatment of infectious diseases.

BiotechnologyClinical TrialsHealth DiagnosticsTherapeutics
Series BOct 2, 2014
Amount Raised: $30,000,000