Fundraising Fox

Catapult Ventures

Venture capital

Pre-Seed–Series A Β· 3 people tracked

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Investment thesis

The firm believes that leveraging synergies between hardware, embedded systems, and software domains can enable disruptive innovations that would otherwise be impossible. They seek founders with interdisciplinary thinking who build competitive advantages through systems-level thinking. The firm typically leads rounds and syndicates with other investors, while reserving capital for follow-on investments and maintaining relationships with later-stage investors.

Source: firm website, verified Jul 21, 2026.

Stage
Pre-Seed–Series A
Check
$250K – $1.5M
Leads rounds
Leads
Instruments
Equity
Founded
2017
Tracked investments
31

Team Β· 3 people

from the firm's website
Darren LiccardoΒ· Co-founder

Co-founder of Catapult Ventures with over three decades of operational experience and background in building revenue-generating technology businesses.

Rouz JazayeriΒ· Co-founder

Co-founder of Catapult Ventures with over three decades of operational experience and background in building revenue-generating technology businesses.

Michael PanicciaΒ· Associate

Venture investor focused on aerospace and photonics with experience in operations, financial planning, and deal sourcing. Previously conducted due diligence on aerospace investments at New Legacy Group and contributed to early prototype testing at Anello Photonics.

What they invest in

from 13 of 31 portfolio companies

Hardware Γ—8Deep Tech Γ—7AI & Machine Learning Γ—6Robotics Γ—5Defense Tech Γ—4Space Tech Γ—4Advanced Manufacturing Γ—3Logistics & Supply Chain Γ—3

HQs:United StatesΓ—8

Investments Β· 31 tracked

founders shown can be your intro path
Anello Photonicsanellophotonics.comβœ“ verified

ANELLO Photonics develops silicon photonics-based inertial navigation systems, specifically its SiPhOG platform, which delivers optical gyroscope performance in a chip-scale form factor for GPS-denied environments. The company serves defense, autonomous systems, and commercial markets requiring resilient navigation in contested or GPS-denied conditions across land, air, and sea operations.

Deep TechDefense TechHardwareSemiconductorsSanta Clara, US

Dr. Mario Paniccia(Co-Founder and CEO)

Faster, Smarter AI Infrastructure Eridueridu.aiβœ“ verified

Eridu develops networking infrastructure optimized for artificial intelligence workloads. The company designs networking solutions to address the demands of AI systems that exceed the capabilities of existing infrastructure.

AI & Machine LearningCloud ComputingDeep TechHardwareSaratoga, US

Drew Perkins(CEO and founder)

Openlightphotonicsopenlightphotonics.comβœ“ verified

OpenLight Photonics develops photonic integrated circuits and systems for data center, telecommunications, and sensing applications. The company serves enterprises and infrastructure providers requiring high-speed optical connectivity and signal processing.

Deep TechHardwareSemiconductors

Adam Carter(Chief Executive Officer)James Dixon(Chief Financial Officer)Volkan Kaman(Vice President, Operations)John Parker(Senior Director, Engineering)

Advanced Farm

Building robots for the next frontier of farming.

Array Labsarraylabs.ioin𝕏

Array Labs develops radar technology for aerospace and other leading industries. The company focuses on systems engineering, software development, and radar systems innovation.

Advanced ManufacturingDeep TechDefense TechHardwareSpace TechSan Francisco, US

Andrew Peterson(Founder)inJose Isaac Robledo(Founder)in

Biostate AIbiostate.ai

Biostate AI is a biotech company that develops AI-driven solutions for the life sciences and medical research sectors. The company operates multiple international subsidiaries and partnerships focused on advancing genomics and health diagnostics.

AI & Machine LearningBiotechDigital HealthHouston, US

Timothy Kassis(Co-Founder & Head of AI)

CADYcadysolutions.comin
Cyclonelabscyclonelabs.ai
Domatic +Moredomatic.ioin
Elroyairelroyair.com

Elroy Air develops autonomous hybrid-electric aircraft for heavy-payload cargo delivery, serving commercial logistics, defense, and humanitarian customers. The company builds and operates the Chaparral vehicle, a turbogenerator-hybrid eVTOL aircraft designed for distributed aerial logistics in remote and contested environments.

Deep TechHardwareLogistics & Supply ChainRoboticsCalifornia, US

Andrew Clare(CEO)Dave MerrillClint Cope

Flightwaveflightwave.aeroin𝕏
Full Speed Automationfullspeedautomation.com
Left Hand Roboticslefthandrobotics.com
lobby-pastinv-spinlaunch@2xspinlaunch.com

SpinLaunch develops a kinetic orbital launch system that uses a rotating accelerator to propel satellites into space at ultra-high speeds, reducing fuel and structural requirements compared to traditional rockets. The company targets enterprise customers seeking cost-effective satellite deployment and broadband connectivity services.

Deep TechHardwareSpace Tech

Ocullioculii.com
Pickle Robotpicklerobot.com

Pickle Robot develops physical AI-powered robots to automate truck unloading and other logistics processes in supply chains. The company applies generalized autonomy to enable robot orchestration across entire warehouse and logistics operations.

AI & Machine LearningLogistics & Supply ChainRobotics

AJ Meyer(Founder & CEO)Ariana Eisenstein(Founder & CTO)Dan Paluska(Founder & VP of Robotics)

Pictorpictor.us
Pykaflypyka.comin𝕏

Pyka develops all-electric cargo aircraft for military logistics applications. The company delivers autonomous aircraft to the U.S. Air Force through AFWERX to support contested logistics operations.

Advanced ManufacturingAgTechClimate TechDefense TechHardwareLogistics & Supply ChainRoboticsSpace TechSan Francisco, US

Michael Norcia(Founder/CEO)inNathan White(Founder/CEO)inKyle Moore(Founder)inChuma Ogunwole(Founder/COO)in

Quadraticquadratichq.com

Quadratic builds a tool for data understanding and analysis. The company serves data workers and analysts.

AI & Machine LearningData & InfrastructureEnterprise SoftwareBoulder, US

Resonadoresonado.com
Ripcordripcord.com

Ripcord uses robotics and AI to digitize paper documents and extract data, transforming unstructured information into accessible, structured digital files for enterprise use.

AI & Machine LearningEnterprise SoftwareHardwareRobotics

Sam Fahmy(CEO and President)Alex Fielding(Director & Ripcord Co-Founder)

Strella Biotechnologystrellabiotech.com
Urban Skyurbansky.comin

Thesis develops reusable, steerable microballoons for routine access to the stratosphere (40,000–130,000 feet), enabling persistent surveillance, communications relay, and atmospheric research for defense, intelligence, commercial, and scientific applications.

AgTechClimate TechData & InfrastructureDeep TechDefense TechInsurTechSpace TechDenver, US

Urbanmachineurbanmachine.build
View Website View Websitepath-robotics.com

Path Robotics develops AI-powered robotic welding systems that adapt in real-time to part variations, serving manufacturers in heavy industry, critical infrastructure, defense, and energy sectors.

Advanced ManufacturingAI & Machine LearningRobotics

Zeromatterzeromatter.com

Frequently asked questions

What stage does Catapult Ventures invest at?
Catapult Ventures invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A stages.
What is Catapult Ventures's typical check size?
Catapult Ventures typically writes checks of $250K – $1.5M.
What sectors does Catapult Ventures focus on?
Catapult Ventures focuses on Advanced Manufacturing, AgTech, AI & Machine Learning, Construction Tech, Consumer, Hardware, Healthtech, IoT, Robotics.
Does Catapult Ventures lead rounds?
Yes, Catapult Ventures leads investment rounds.

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