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Perseus

North America, District of Columbia, United States, Washington

Description

Perseus, LLC is a well-established merchant bank and private equity fund management company headquartered in Washington, D.C. Since its inception in 1995, the firm has cultivated a reputation for strategic investments across a diverse array of sectors. Perseus operates with a dual approach, investing both in private equity funds and directly in operating companies, showcasing a flexible and comprehensive investment mandate.

The firm's investment philosophy centers on identifying companies with robust management teams, strong market positions, and substantial growth prospects. Perseus typically seeks to acquire control or significant minority stakes, aligning its interests closely with the long-term success of its portfolio companies. Their target companies generally exhibit enterprise values ranging from $25 million to $250 million, indicating a focus on lower-middle to middle-market businesses.

Perseus has a broad sector focus, with a history of investments spanning healthcare, business services, technology, industrials, consumer, and media. This diversified approach allows them to capitalize on opportunities across various economic cycles and industry trends. The firm has demonstrated significant scale, having managed over $1.5 billion in private equity funds throughout its history. This substantial capital base enables them to execute meaningful transactions and support the growth initiatives of their portfolio companies.

With a track record of investing in over 50 operating companies, Perseus has built a considerable portfolio and gained extensive experience in value creation. Their typical first check sizes for direct investments range from $10 million to $50 million per transaction, reflecting their commitment to providing substantial capital to fuel growth and strategic initiatives within their target companies. This range positions Perseus as a key partner for mid-sized enterprises seeking capital for expansion, acquisitions, or operational improvements.

Investor Profile

Perseus has backed more than 23 startups, with 0 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 9 rounds, about 39% of its total and boasts 7 exits across its portfolio.

Investment Focus Highlights

  • Concentrates on Series C, Series Unknown, Series B rounds (top funding stages).
  • Majority of deals are located in United States.
  • Strong thematic focus on Software, Biotechnology, Health Care.
  • Typical check size: $10M – $50M.

Stage Focus

  • Series C (30%)
  • Series Unknown (22%)
  • Series B (13%)
  • Series D (9%)
  • Series E (4%)
  • Post Ipo Equity (4%)
  • Series G (4%)
  • Series F (4%)
  • Private Equity (4%)
  • Series A (4%)

Country Focus

  • United States (100%)

Industry Focus

  • Software
  • Biotechnology
  • Health Care
  • Energy
  • Internet
  • Medical
  • Real Time
  • Hardware
  • Semiconductor
  • 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 Perseus frequently co-invest with?

OL
North America, Oregon, United States, Eugene
Co-Investments: 5
Next47
North America, California, United States, Palo Alto
Co-Investments: 2
Ventures West
North America, British Columbia, Canada, Vancouver
Co-Investments: 5
AC
North America, New Hampshire, United States, Center Harbor
Co-Investments: 2
ED
North America, Arizona, United States, Phoenix
Co-Investments: 3
OPG Ventures
North America, Ontario, Canada, Toronto
Co-Investments: 2
Venture Investors
North America, Wisconsin, United States, Madison
Co-Investments: 2
RC
North America, Oregon, United States, Portland
Co-Investments: 2
Nth Power
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Co-Investments: 5
EN
North America, Mississippi, United States, Mississippi State
Co-Investments: 2

What are some of recent deals done by Perseus?

BlueWillow Biologics

Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States

BlueWillow is a biopharmaceutical company that focuses on developing and commercializing topical antiseptic and anti-infective products.

BiotechnologyHealth CareMedicalNanotechnology
Series CNov 28, 2012
Amount Raised: $11,000,000
CeNeRx BioPharma

Cary, North Carolina, United States

CeNeRx BioPharma, a drug development company, engages in developing therapeutics to treat diseases related to the nervous system.

BiopharmaBiotechnologyTherapeutics
Series CAug 13, 2010
Amount Raised: $13,000,000
Metamark Genetics

Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

Metamark Genetics develops prognostic and predictive diagnostic tests that enable personalized treatment planning for cancer patients.

BiotechnologyGeneticsHealth CareHealth DiagnosticsMedicalPersonal Health
Series BAug 13, 2010
Amount Raised: $22,000,000
Cymbet

Elk River, Minnesota, United States

Cymbet manufactures thin film power backup devices for semiconductor, sensor, medical, and related electronic applications.

Energy StorageHardwareManufacturingRFIDSemiconductor
Series CJan 25, 2010
Amount Raised: $31,000,000
Lumexis

Irvine, California, United States

Lumexis Corporation develops, manufactures and markets fiber-to-the-screen (FTTS) in-flight entertainment (IFE) and communication systems.

In-Flight EntertainmentManufacturingSoftware
Series UnknownNov 30, 2009
Amount Raised: $15,000,000
BlueWillow Biologics

Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States

BlueWillow is a biopharmaceutical company that focuses on developing and commercializing topical antiseptic and anti-infective products.

BiotechnologyHealth CareMedicalNanotechnology
Series BJul 8, 2009
Amount Raised: $10,000,000
SoftSwitching Technologies

Middleton, Wisconsin, United States

SoftSwitching Technologies provides power quality and monitoring solutions for the semiconductor, automotive, and pharmaceutical industries.

HardwareSemiconductorSoftware
Series ESep 10, 2008
Amount Raised: $2,000,000
Vehicle Production Group

Allen Park, Michigan, United States

VPG is working with General Motors through its on-highway integrator Powertrain Integration LLC.

AutomotiveManufacturingMobile
Private EquityAug 11, 2008
Amount Raised: $160,000,000
Bioenvision

New York, New York, United States

Bioenvision engages in the acquisition, development and marketing of compounds and technologies primarily for the treatment of cancer.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)BiotechnologyMarketing
Series UnknownApr 30, 2007
Amount Raised: $7,410,000
Ascenta Therapeutics

Malvern, Pennsylvania, United States

Ascenta Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, focuses on the discovery and development of new medicines to treat cancer.

BiopharmaBiotechnologyHealth CareTherapeutics
Series CApr 10, 2007
Amount Raised: $50,000,000