Cantos Ventures
San Francisco Β· Pre-SeedβSeries B Β· 4 people tracked
Investment thesis
Cantos invests in exceptional founders developing transformative technologies across three strategic pillars: abundance (providing shelter, food, water, energy, health at improved cost or efficiency), resilience (strengthening critical infrastructure and ecosystems), and advantage (advancing US competitiveness in advanced technologies and critical resources). The firm targets rare, relentless individuals capable of building the future outside Silicon Valley's conventional focus areas.
Source: firm website, verified Jul 20, 2026.
Team Β· 4 people
from the firm's website
Founder of Cantos in 2016 with a vision to invest in innovation across industries and three-dimensional technology applications. Previously worked on early-stage teams at Invisible Technologies and SoFi.
Joined Cantos in 2024 from a16z's American Dynamism team where he led investments including Castelion and Salient Motion. Serves as Board Director at Shinkei and The Lumber Manufactory. Earlier experience includes a Susa Fellowship and work on MetLife's Private Capital team.
Joined Cantos in 2021 and leads investments across AI, biotech, and robotics. Co-founded Decoding Bio and the AIxBio Summit. Holds an MS in Biomedical Engineering from Johns Hopkins and an MBA from Stanford.
Leads finance and operations at Cantos. Previously managed back office functions at Slow Ventures, Bracket Capital, and JLL Spark, and spent three years at J.P. Morgan as a program manager and one year at UBS.
What they invest in
from 12 of 16 portfolio companiesAdvanced Manufacturing Γ7Hardware Γ7AI & Machine Learning Γ5Deep Tech Γ5Defense Tech Γ4Biotech Γ3AgTech Γ2Cleantech Γ2
HQs:United StatesΓ8CanadaΓ1United KingdomΓ1
Investments Β· 16 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathPhenomic AI is a biotech company developing therapies for solid tumors using a machine-learning-powered transcriptomics platform that analyzes single-cell RNA data to identify drug targets and understand tumor biology. The company develops antibody-based therapies informed by its analysis of cell-cell interactions in tumor microenvironments, with current programs targeting stromal and immune components of difficult-to-treat cancers.
AI & Machine LearningBiotechDeep TechToronto, CA
Sam Cooper(Co-founder & CTO)Oren Kraus(Co-founder)
Skyryse develops aircraft control systems and software for helicopters and aircraft, offering simplified pilot interfaces, autonomous capabilities, and emergency management features. The system serves military, law enforcement, emergency medical, and disaster response operators.
Defense TechHardwareRobotics
Castelion develops advanced strike systems and defense hardware with a focus on rapid iteration and scalable manufacturing to reduce costs and development timelines for U.S. defense applications. The company aims to restore American industrial agility in weapons development and strengthen national security capabilities.
Advanced ManufacturingDefense TechHardwareTorrance, US
Bryon Hargis(Co-Founder & CEO)Sean Pitt(Co-Founder & COO)Andrew Kreitz(Co-Founder & CFO)
Neros manufactures tactical unmanned aerial systems and FPV drones for military use, designed for performance, modularity, and secure supply chain operations. The company produces attritable, one-way drones and related ground control systems with integrated electronic warfare resistance for Western military forces.
AI & Machine LearningDefense TechHardwareEl Segundo, US
Salient Motion designs and manufactures critical actuation systems for commercial aviation and defense applications. The company combines in-house motion control expertise across software and hardware to offer faster certification and delivery compared to legacy suppliers.
Advanced ManufacturingDefense TechHardwareSouthern California, US
Vishaal Mali(Chief Executive Officer)
Shinkei deploys robotics and computer vision hardware on commercial fishing vessels to process seafood at sea, improving quality and traceability while reducing America's seafood import reliance. The company vertically integrates the supply chain from harvest to consumer, offering real-time visibility and quality control through onboard and fleet-wide software systems.
Advanced ManufacturingAgTechAI & Machine LearningFoodTechHardwareRoboticsLos Angeles, US
Saif Khawaja(Founder)in
Sixfold develops RNA delivery technology for the biotech industry. The company was founded by an oncologist and plant scientist and focuses on advancing RNA-based therapeutic approaches through proprietary delivery methods.
AI & Machine LearningBiotechDeep TechHealthtechMedical DevicesLondon, GB
George Foot(Founder)inAnna Perdrix Rosell(Founder)inDr. Anna Perdrix Rosell(Co-founder)Dr. George Foot(Co-founder)
Solugen develops a biomanufacturing platform using fermentation and bioprocessing technology to produce specialty chemicals at scale. The company serves customers in energy, chemicals, and related industries with cost-effective alternatives to traditional petrochemical-based manufacturing.
Advanced ManufacturingBiotechCleantechClimate TechHealthtechHouston, US
Sean Hunt(Co-founder)inGaurab Chakrabarti(Co-founder & CEO)in
TLM builds and operates a network of regional sawmills that process timber and strengthen the domestic lumber supply chain. The company's repeatable technology platform addresses timber utilization and supports rural economic development and forest health.
Advanced ManufacturingAgTechCleantechConstruction Tech
Astranis manufactures small, high-powered geosynchronous satellites equipped with advanced digital processing technology for global telecommunications and connectivity services.
Advanced ManufacturingDeep TechHardwareSpace TechSan Francisco, US
Frequently asked questions
- What stage does Cantos Ventures invest at?
- Cantos Ventures invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A, Series B stages.
- What sectors does Cantos Ventures focus on?
- Cantos Ventures focuses on Advanced Manufacturing, Cleantech, Climate Tech, Deep Tech, Defense Tech, Energy, Hardware, New Materials, Robotics, Semiconductors.
- Where is Cantos Ventures located?
- Cantos Ventures is headquartered in San Francisco, US.
- Does Cantos Ventures lead rounds?
- Yes, Cantos Ventures leads investment rounds.
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