Cambrian Ventures
Overview
Cambrian Ventures is a San Francisco-based venture capital firm founded in 2021 by Rex Salisbury, a former partner at Andreessen Horowitz. The firm focuses on early-stage fintech, aiming to fund startups that are innovating within the financial services industry. Cambrian Ventures primarily invests in pre-seed and seed-stage companies, with an initial capital injection of $20 million in their Fund I. Their investment philosophy includes not only financial backing but also operational expertise and network support to help startups scale effectively.
Recent Developments
- July 16, 2025: Cambrian Ventures raised a new $20 million fintech fund amidst a challenging fundraising environment for venture capital, marked by a slowdown in the fintech industry. This fund, like its predecessor, will focus on early-stage fintech startups.<br>
- April 10, 2025: Cambrian Ventures invested in Inventex, a company within the commercial services industry, highlighting their ongoing commitment to the fintech and commercial services sectors.<br>
- October 2024: Cambrian Ventures expanded its portfolio by investing in several startups leveraging AI to develop multi-product companies, anticipating AI's ability to transform the financial tech landscape.
- 2023-2024: Despite an overall market slowdown, Cambrian Ventures achieved a notable 50% transition rate from seed to Series A funding for their invested companies, significantly outperforming the industry average transition rate of 15.4% as tracked by Carta.
Company Information
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Founding Date | 2021 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, California |
| Founders | Rex Salisbury |
| Revenue | Not publicly disclosed |
| Profits | Not publicly disclosed |
| Key Investors | Individual founders from fintech sectors, several institutional backers including a bank and a life insurance firm |
| Industry | Venture Capital, Financial Services |
| Number of Employees | 2-10 employees |
Early History
Cambrian Ventures was founded in 2021 by Rex Salisbury, aiming to capitalize on his extensive network and experience in fintech. Before establishing Cambrian Ventures, Salisbury was instrumental in developing the fintech practice at Andreessen Horowitz. He is known for his proactive fintech community involvement, having built a network of over 15,000 professionals and started a prominent newsletter. The first fund raised by Cambrian Ventures was $20 million, focusing on tapping into early-stage investments. Salisbury's background facilitated attracting high-profile investors during the fund’s initial stages, including fintech leaders from companies such as NerdWallet, Plaid, and Betterment.
Company Profile and Achievements
Cambrian Ventures has been making strategic investments in fintech, focusing on companies that are reshaping the financial services landscape through technological innovation. The firm primarily targets pre-seed and seed-stage companies and prefers to lead investment rounds while offering guidance beyond financial support.
- Investments: Cambrian Ventures has funded 33 companies, with 19 reaching exits. Its portfolio includes prominent investments like Balance and Tally, among others in the fintech and software sectors.
- Investment Strategy: The firm maintains a robust focus on fintech, insurtech, SaaS, and other software-driven innovations, seeking companies that leverage technology to innovate payments and financial services.
- Collaborative Approach: Cambrian Ventures is known for co-investing with top-tier venture capital firms, enhancing their ability to provide comprehensive support to emerging startups.
Current Operations and Market Position
Cambrian Ventures currently operates with a sharp focus on early-stage investments across the fintech sector in the United States. Its strategic focus is on emerging technologies that enable startups to offer multiple services from inception, leveraging advancements in AI for product development efficiencies. Rex Salisbury emphasizes a hands-on approach, supporting the startups operationally to navigate the complexities of fintech innovation. Cambrian holds a strategic market position due to its specialized focus and extensive network in fintech, which helps attract promising startups and co-investors alike.
Cambrian Ventures Rex
Rex Salisbury, the founder and General Partner of Cambrian Ventures, plays a pivotal role in the firm's operations. Previously a partner at Andreessen Horowitz, Salisbury's fintech expertise and community-building efforts significantly contribute to Cambrian's strategic direction and success.
Cambrian Fintech
Cambrian Ventures places a significant emphasis on fintech investments, aiming to revolutionize this space by supporting startups that are innovating within financial services. The firm is strategically committed to companies that introduce innovative, tech-driven solutions to traditional financial service models.
Conclusion
Cambrian Ventures stands out in the venture capital landscape for its focused approach on early-stage fintech startups, leveraging technology to transform financial services. Under Rex Salisbury's leadership, the firm has successfully created a niche, emphasizing community and industry connections. With its recent funding and strategic investments, Cambrian Ventures is poised to continue playing a significant role in the evolution of fintech.