
Relay Ventures
Description
Relay Ventures is a prominent venture capital firm with a dual presence in Toronto, Canada, and Menlo Park, California, positioning itself strategically across North American tech hubs. The firm has carved out a niche specializing in early-stage investments, primarily targeting companies building mobile and connected software solutions. Their investment thesis spans a diverse range of sectors, including fintech, proptech, digital health, and enterprise SaaS, consistently seeking out innovative businesses that leverage connectivity and mobile platforms to disrupt traditional industries or create new markets.
Focusing on pre-seed, seed, and Series A rounds, Relay Ventures is known for its hands-on approach, often leading or co-leading investment rounds. The firm typically deploys initial checks ranging from $500,000 to $5,000,000, demonstrating a commitment to supporting companies from their foundational stages. Beyond capital, Relay emphasizes fostering long-term partnerships, providing significant operational guidance and leveraging its extensive network to help portfolio companies scale. This support extends throughout the startup lifecycle, aiming to accelerate growth and mitigate common early-stage challenges.
With a substantial financial backing, Relay Ventures has successfully raised multiple funds, accumulating over $700 million in assets under management. Their most recent capital raise, Fund V, closed at $200 million, further solidifying their capacity to invest in promising ventures. The firm's portfolio boasts a roster of successful companies such as TouchBistro, Clearco, and Koho, underscoring their ability to identify and nurture high-growth potential. Relay Ventures continues to be a key player in the early-stage venture ecosystem, committed to backing visionary entrepreneurs who are shaping the future of connected technologies.
Investor Profile
Relay Ventures has backed more than 143 startups, with 5 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 42 rounds, about 29% of its total and boasts 52 exits across its portfolio.
Investment Focus Highlights
- Concentrates on Seed, Series A, Series B rounds (top funding stages).
- Majority of deals are located in United States, Canada, France.
- Strong thematic focus on Software, Mobile, Apps.
- Led 5 rounds in the past year.
- Typical check size: $500K – $5M.
Stage Focus
- Seed (29%)
- Series A (22%)
- Series B (21%)
- Series Unknown (12%)
- Series C (10%)
- Series D (3%)
- Pre Seed (2%)
- Series E (1%)
Country Focus
- United States (54%)
- Canada (41%)
- France (3%)
- United Kingdom (1%)
- Germany (1%)
- Turkey (1%)
Industry Focus
- Software
- Mobile
- Apps
- Saas
- Mobile Apps
- Internet Of Things
- Artificial Intelligence (Ai)
- E-commerce
- Advertising
- Analytics
Frequently Asked Questions
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