Cathay Innovation
Venture capitalParis · Seed–Late Stage · 78 people tracked
Investment thesis
Cathay Innovation is a multi-stage venture capital firm that backs startups developing technologies reshaping how people live and work, aiming to help founders scale bold ideas into real-world solutions at industrial scale. The firm distinguishes itself from a traditional venture approach by operating a large platform designed to foster collaboration between startups and corporations, leveraging its base of corporate limited partners.
Source: firm website, verified Aug 3, 2026.
Team · 78 people
from the firm's website & public directories
What they invest in
from 37 of 142 portfolio companiesAI & Machine Learning ×14Fintech ×12SaaS ×9Crypto & Web3 ×6Enterprise Software ×6Healthtech ×6Digital Health ×5Hardware ×5
HQs:United States×11France×2United Kingdom×2China×1Germany×1Spain×1
Investments · 142 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathMenlo Park, US
Board seatDenis Barrier· per SEC Form D · $30M raise · filed Feb 2016
Aerobotics develops AI and drone-based software to help fruit growers, packers, and shippers measure crop health and estimate yields using aerial imagery analysis.
AgTechAI & Machine LearningHardwareCape Town, ZA
Benji
PartnerJacky Abitbol· led
Cryptio provides cryptocurrency transaction tracking and analytics across multiple blockchains.
Crypto & Web3Data & Infrastructure
Curve Pay is a digital wallet that combines multiple bank cards into one, letting users switch which card paid for a purchase after the fact, avoid foreign exchange fees, and earn cashback on top of existing card rewards.
ConsumerFintech
ZenBusiness provides an all-in-one platform combining AI-powered guidance (Velo) with customer support to help entrepreneurs start, protect, and grow their businesses through business formations and compliance services.
Enterprise SoftwareFuture of WorkLegalTechSaaSAustin, US
Ross Buhrdorf(CEO)Shanaz HemmatiRafael Lopez(Executive Officer)JC Glancy(Executive Officer, Director)Khadijeh Hemmati(Executive Officer)
CloudPick develops AI-powered checkout and inventory management solutions for retail stores using computer vision and machine learning.
AI & Machine LearningIoTRetail TechShanghai, CN
Alex Ng(Founder)Jeff Feng(Founder & CEO)
David Energy builds technology to enable electricity grids powered by 100% clean, renewable energy.
CleantechClimate TechEnergyHardwareNew York, US
James McGinniss(Executive Officer, Director)Ahmed Salman(Executive Officer)Brian Maxwell(Executive Officer, Director)
Descartes provides a global logistics network platform that connects shippers, carriers, and logistics service providers to manage supply chain operations including transportation management, customs compliance, fleet performance, and ecommerce fulfillment.
Data & InfrastructureLogistics & Supply ChainSaaS
Entalpic uses AI and atomistic simulations to design molecules and materials for industrial surface chemistry processes, combining machine learning with quantum simulations and experimental feedback loops to accelerate materials discovery.
AI & Machine LearningDeep TechNew MaterialsParis, FR
Fundbox provides fast, flexible capital access to small businesses through technology-driven lending solutions.
Fintech
Prashant Fuloria(Chief Executive Officer)inRina Jariwala(Chief Operations Officer)inAnchit Singh(Chief Business Officer)inRenuka Nayani(Chief Financial Officer)inTodd Hamblet(Chief Legal Officer)inOfer Karp(Chief Technology Officer)in
Rows marked “SEC filing” are inferred from directors named on the company's SEC Form D — public regulatory data, not a portfolio list published by the firm.
Frequently asked questions
- What stage does Cathay Innovation invest at?
- Cathay Innovation invests at the Seed, Series A, Series B, Series C, Growth, Late Stage stages.
- What is Cathay Innovation's typical check size?
- Cathay Innovation typically writes checks of $5M – $40M.
- What sectors does Cathay Innovation focus on?
- Cathay Innovation focuses on AI & Machine Learning, Consumer, Crypto & Web3, Digital Health, Energy, Fintech, IoT, Mobility & Transportation, Retail Tech, Robotics, Sector Agnostic.
- Where is Cathay Innovation located?
- Cathay Innovation is headquartered in Paris, FR.
- Does Cathay Innovation lead rounds?
- Cathay Innovation typically participates in rounds rather than leading them.
Media · Podcasts & interviews
featuring the teamAI in Enterprise ft Cathay Innovation Partner Simon Wu - YouTube
Grace Gong · Simon Wu
Beyond Series A: Asian Startups Overdrive w Rajive Keshup, Cathay Innovation | Billion Dollar Moves - YouTube
Sarah Chen-Spellings · Rajive Keshup
Images
Co-investors · 25
Alumni Ventures (AV) is a venture firm that gives accredited individual investors access to professionally managed, diversified venture portfolios by co-investing alongside leading lead VC firms. It offers annual funds, syndicate deal-by-deal investing, and various investor clubs.
Notable Capital is an early-stage venture firm that partners closely with founders, providing hands-on operational support through a platform team of experienced operators across hiring, sales, leadership development, storytelling, and engineering.
Menlo Ventures is a venture capital firm that backs transformative, early-stage technology companies reshaping how people live and work.
Everywhere Ventures is a global pre-seed venture capital firm founded in 2018 and based in New York that invests $250,000 into early-stage technology companies across more than 30 countries.
Tiger Global is a research-driven investment firm that partners with innovative, high-quality companies over the long term across various stages of their lifecycle.
Oak HC/FT is a growth equity firm that partners with founders building companies in healthcare and financial services, with a focus on enterprise technology and AI.
Picus Capital is an early-stage technology investment firm that partners closely with founders on strategic and operational challenges to help build global companies.
Bond is a venture capital fund spun out from Kleiner Perkins that combines Mary Meeker's famous multi-hundred-page "Trends" reports with late-stage investing, positioning itself as both a macro research house and capital provider for category-defining Internet and software businesses. The fund operates with a small, senior-heavy partnership that blends operators and growth investors, focusing on companies that have already proven product-market fit and helping them architect global expansion and IPO readiness.
Hustle Fund is an early-stage venture capital firm that invests quickly in startups, offering capital along with educational programs and mentorship. It also runs an angel investing community that lets members invest alongside the fund.
Global Founders Capital (GFC) is the global venture capital platform of Rocket Internet, investing early and across sectors in fast-growing technology companies.
Citi Ventures is the corporate venture capital arm of Citi, based in Palo Alto with additional offices in New York, Shanghai, and Singapore. The unit makes equity investments and develops innovations that align with Citi's strategic priorities, working with both internal business units and external companies.
Latitud is an early-stage investor and community platform connecting Latin American startup talent with Silicon Valley, including a Fellowship program for founders.
▶13 more co-investors
23andMePassion CapitalFlourish VenturesCommerce VenturesKaszek VenturesDrive CapitalEnsemble VCGreatPoint VenturesApax DigitalalboSandalphon CapitalScaleUP VenturesAtman
Firms observed investing alongside Cathay Innovation, from public investor directories.
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