Crosslink Capital Firm History and Investment Portfolio

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Crosslink Capital was founded in 1996 by a team of experienced investors, marking the beginning of a successful venture capital firm.

Their early focus on software and technology investments laid the groundwork for their future growth.

Crosslink Capital has since expanded its investment portfolio to include a diverse range of industries, including cloud computing, cybersecurity, and data analytics.

With a strong track record of identifying and supporting innovative companies, Crosslink Capital has established itself as a trusted partner for entrepreneurs and investors alike.

Crosslink Capital has a rich history that dates back to 1989. That's when its first venture capital fund was formed within Robertson, Stephens.

Michael Stark and Sy Kaufman were the general partners of the fund and ran a distinct investment team.

Crosslink was formed in January 1999 after the management team completed a management buyout. This marked a significant turning point for the organization, as it began operating as an independent entity named Crosslink Capital.

All funds and relevant employees were transferred to Crosslink at that time, allowing the company to start fresh and pursue new opportunities.

A unique perspective: Ra Capital Team

Investments and Portfolio

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Crosslink Capital has a long history of successful investments, with over 577 investments made to date. Their latest investment was in X-Bow Launch Systems as part of their Series B - II on January 06, 2025.

Some of their notable investments include Ancestry.com, Pandora Radio, and Coupa, all of which have been exited. They also invest in public companies, making them a versatile and experienced partner for startups and established businesses alike.

Crosslink Capital's investment focus spans various sectors, including software, internet, SaaS, enterprise software, and information technology. They typically invest in rounds with 5-6 participants, and their average startup value is $100-500 million dollars.

Expert Collections

Expert Collections are a great way to stay on top of the latest trends in the tech industry. They're analyst-curated lists that highlight the companies you need to know in the most important technology spaces.

Crosslink Capital has been recognized in 2 Expert Collections, showing its expertise in specific areas.

These collections are curated by experts who have a deep understanding of the tech industry, making them a valuable resource for investors and entrepreneurs alike.

Here's an interesting read: Plug and Play Tech Center

Closes $350M 10th Fund

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Crosslink Capital has closed its 10th flagship venture capital fund, Crosslink Ventures X, L.P.

The fund, which includes support from new and existing investors, closed with $350 million in capital commitments.

Crosslink Capital has over $4.6 billion in assets and a seasoned team that stands ready to guide founders through unpredictable market conditions.

The firm is focused on investing in early-stage founders from inception, including pre-seed and seed through Series A, while supporting them at every stage of their growth.

Crosslink's previous venture fund was also capitalized at $350 million in January 2021.

The firm is celebrating 35 years of partnering with ambitious entrepreneurs developing enterprise, consumer, and vertical technologies.

Crosslink's Alpha network, co-founded in 2005, connects entrepreneurs and industry thought leaders through 40+ annual forums.

This year, Crosslink is also celebrating a milestone of 35 years of partnering with entrepreneurs.

Intriguing read: Seed Investment

Investments

Crosslink Capital has a history of partnering with companies at the earliest stages of venture capital, investing in both private and public companies across various sectors.

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They have made 577 investments, with their latest being in X-Bow Launch Systems as part of their Series B - II on January 06, 2025.

Some of their notable investments include Ancestry.com, Pandora Radio, and Coupa, which have all exited successfully.

Here are some of their notable investments:

  • Ancestry.com (exited)
  • Pandora Radio (exited)
  • Coupa (exited)
  • Equinix (exited)
  • BuildingConnected (exited)
  • Bleacher Report (exited)
  • Virage Logic (exited)
  • ServiceMax (exited)
  • Vungle Inc. (exited)
  • Casper
  • Postmates
  • Chime
  • Molekule
  • Verodin
  • Descartes Labs
  • Weave
  • Venturebeat
  • Armory

Portfolio Exits

Crosslink Capital has a significant number of portfolio exits under its belt, with a total of 141. Their latest portfolio exit was Inpheron, which took place on November 04, 2024.

Assets, Funds, Holdings

Assets, Funds, Holdings are crucial aspects of investments and portfolio management. The article highlights various funds and holdings managed by different firms, including Crosslink Capital Inc.

Crosslink Capital Inc manages a total of 4.9 billion dollars in assets under management (AUM). This is broken down into various funds, such as Crosslink Bayview X LP and Crosslink Endeavour Fund II LP.

The firm has a diverse portfolio, with investments in companies like WEAV, NTNX, LRCX, and META. These holdings are valued at approximately 87.0 million dollars, 75.1 million dollars, 59.2 million dollars, and 44.1 million dollars, respectively.

On a similar theme: Stanbic IBTC Holdings

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Crosslink Capital Inc also manages a number of private equity funds, including Crosslink Bayview IX LP and Crosslink Ventures V Liquidating Fund LLC. These funds have AUM of 7.2 billion dollars and 79.6 billion dollars, respectively.

Here is a breakdown of the AUM by client type:

Crosslink Capital Inc is just one of many firms with significant AUM. Other comparable firms include TPG PEP Advisors LLC, EcoR1 Capital LLC, and Empyrean Capital Partners LP, all of which have AUM of 5.0 billion dollars.

Additional reading: Battery Ventures Aum

Investment Activities

Crosslink Capital is a venture capital firm that prefers to partner with companies at the earliest stages across all sectors. They invest in both private and public companies, demonstrating their willingness to take on a wide range of investment opportunities.

Some notable exits from Crosslink's portfolio include Ancestry.com, Pandora Radio, and Equinix. These successful exits show the firm's ability to identify and support companies that go on to achieve great things.

Crosslink has made a total of 577 investments, with their latest investment being in X-Bow Launch Systems as part of their Series B - II on January 06, 2025.

Areas of Investment

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Crosslink Capital invests in a variety of sectors, but they have a strong focus on software, internet, SaaS, enterprise software, and information technology.

They have invested in companies like Casper, Postmates, and Chime, which are all in the software and internet space. The fund also has a preference for investing in companies that are at the age of 4-5 years.

Here are some of the specific areas of investment for Crosslink Capital:

  • Software
  • Internet
  • SaaS
  • Enterprise Software
  • Information Technology

These areas of investment are a key part of Crosslink Capital's strategy, and they have seen success in these spaces with their portfolio companies.

Ventures X Launches with $350M Commitments

Crosslink Ventures X, L.P. has closed with $350 million in capital commitments. This is a significant milestone for the firm, which has more than $4.6 billion in assets.

The fund is aimed at backing early-stage investors, and it includes support from new and existing investors. Crosslink is a premier early-stage venture capital firm with decades of experience navigating diverse market cycles.

Here's an interesting read: Is Bain Capital a Private Equity Firm

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Crosslink will remain focused on investing in early-stage founders from inception, which includes pre-seed and seed through Series A. This approach has been successful for the firm, which is celebrating 35 years of partnering with ambitious entrepreneurs.

The firm's Alpha network, co-founded in 2005, connects entrepreneurs and industry thought leaders through 40+ annual forums. This network has been a key part of Crosslink's strategy, providing valuable connections and insights for its founders.

Crosslink General Partner Eric Chin emphasizes the importance of the firm's limited partners, who have shown a steadfast commitment to the firm even in uncertain market conditions.

Intriguing read: Indian Angel Network

Company Information

Crosslink Capital is a venture capital firm based in San Francisco, California.

They were founded in 1996 by a group of experienced venture capitalists who wanted to create a firm that could provide strategic guidance and support to its portfolio companies.

Crosslink Capital has invested in over 200 companies across various industries, including software, e-commerce, and healthcare.

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Their investment strategy focuses on supporting entrepreneurs who are building innovative and scalable businesses.

Crosslink Capital has offices in San Francisco and New York City, allowing them to stay connected with the latest trends and developments in the tech industry.

They have a team of experienced investment professionals who work closely with entrepreneurs to help them achieve their goals.

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Acquisitions and Deals

Crosslink Capital has been involved in several notable acquisitions. They acquired 365 Data Centers for $XXM in debt on September 5, 2012, with a total funding of $111M.

This acquisition was a significant move for Crosslink Capital, demonstrating their ability to invest in and acquire companies in the data center sector.

Their acquisition of 365 Data Centers was a debt investment, valued at $XXM.

Frequently Asked Questions

How big is the crosslink fund?

The crosslink fund has $350 million in capital commitments, matching the size of the firm's previous venture fund. This significant investment will support the firm's future endeavors.

Where is crosslink capital?

Crosslink Capital is based in Menlo Park, California. Learn more about our investment firm and its location.

Elena Feeney-Jacobs

Junior Writer

Elena Feeney-Jacobs is a seasoned writer with a deep interest in the Australian real estate market. Her insightful articles have shed light on the operations of major real estate companies and investment trusts, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of the industry. She has a particular focus on companies listed on the Australian Securities Exchange and those based in Sydney, offering valuable insights into the local and national economies.

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