
Trident Capital
Description
Trident Capital was a prominent venture capital and growth equity firm, established in 1993 with offices in Palo Alto, California, and Westport, Connecticut. For over two decades, the firm was a significant player in the technology investment landscape, primarily focusing on software, services, and internet companies. Its investment strategy spanned various stages, from early-stage venture to late-stage growth equity, indicating a flexible approach to backing promising enterprises across their lifecycle.
Over its operational history, Trident Capital successfully raised a substantial amount of capital, totaling approximately $1.9 billion across 11 distinct funds. This considerable financial backing allowed the firm to make a broad impact, culminating in a portfolio that included 175 investments. The firm was known for its strategic investments in companies that often went on to achieve significant milestones, including numerous successful exits, with 67 companies from its portfolio reaching an acquisition or IPO.
In 2015, Trident Capital underwent a strategic transformation, splitting into two independent and specialized entities: Trident Capital Cybersecurity and Trident Capital Fund. This restructuring allowed the original firm's legacy and expertise to continue under more focused investment mandates. While the original Trident Capital no longer operates as a unified entity, its historical investment patterns suggest a typical first check size ranging from mid-single-digit millions for earlier rounds to tens of millions for growth-stage opportunities, reflecting its dual focus on venture and growth equity.
Investor Profile
Trident Capital has backed more than 218 startups, with 0 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 78 rounds, about 36% of its total and boasts 78 exits across its portfolio.
Investment Focus Highlights
- Concentrates on Series Unknown, Series B, Series A rounds (top funding stages).
- Majority of deals are located in United States, Ireland, India.
- Strong thematic focus on Software, Enterprise Software, Information Technology.
- Typical check size: $5M – $50M.
Stage Focus
- Series Unknown (25%)
- Series B (22%)
- Series A (18%)
- Series C (17%)
- Series D (10%)
- Series E (3%)
- Seed (1%)
- Private Equity (1%)
Country Focus
- United States (97%)
- Ireland (1%)
Industry Focus
- Software
- Enterprise Software
- Information Technology
- Saas
- Internet
- Security
- Analytics
- Advertising
- Cyber Security
- Health Care
Frequently Asked Questions
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