Samsung Catalyst Fund - A Comprehensive Guide to Its Investments

The Samsung Catalyst Fund is a venture capital fund that invests in startups and early-stage companies. It was launched in 2017 to support innovation and entrepreneurship.

The fund has a global reach, investing in companies across various regions and industries. Its investment portfolio includes companies in the fields of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and more.

One notable investment by the Samsung Catalyst Fund is in the company, Verkada, a provider of enterprise security solutions. The fund's investment in Verkada reflects its focus on supporting companies that drive innovation in critical areas.

The Samsung Catalyst Fund is a key part of Samsung's strategy to drive innovation and growth through strategic investments.

Samsung Catalyst Fund has a distinct history that sets it apart from other Samsung investment arms. It was launched in February 2013 as a fully-owned investment fund.

The fund was announced at an event held in Menlo Park, marking a significant milestone for Samsung Electronics.

The Samsung Catalyst Fund is a unique entity, separate from Samsung Ventures investments and Samsung NEXT.

Samsung Catalyst Fund has made a significant number of investments, with 62 investments to date. Their latest investment was in Axiado as part of their Series C on December 04, 2024.

Samsung Catalyst Fund invests in a variety of sectors, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, and the Internet of Things. They have a strong track record of supporting companies in these areas.

Here are some notable investments made by Samsung Catalyst Fund:

Samsung Catalyst has a strong track record of portfolio exits, with 13 successful investments. Their latest exit was Solaris, which was acquired by SBI Group in January 2025.

Samsung Catalyst's portfolio exits have been quite diverse, with a mix of corporate majority, acquisitions, and reverse mergers. This suggests that they have a broad approach to investing and are open to different exit strategies.

The company has had some notable exits, such as Graphcore, which was acquired by SoftBank in July 2024 for an undisclosed valuation. This deal was reported by 22 sources, indicating a high level of transparency and validation.

In addition to Graphcore, Samsung Catalyst has also had successful exits with aiMotive, which was acquired by Stellantis in November 2022. This deal was reported by 25 sources, further highlighting the company's strong connections and reputation in the industry.

Here are some key statistics on Samsung Catalyst's portfolio exits:

Overall, Samsung Catalyst's portfolio exits demonstrate the company's ability to identify and support successful investments, and to navigate a range of exit strategies to maximize returns.

When investing in startups, understanding the stage of investment is crucial for making informed decisions.

The Samsung Catalyst Fund generally invests in companies at the Series B stage, with a significant number of 14 investments in this category.

At Series B, companies typically have a proven product-market fit and are scaling their operations.

Investments at this stage often come with higher valuations, and the fund's focus on Series B suggests its interest in supporting growth-stage companies.

Here's a breakdown of the Samsung Catalyst Fund's investment stages:

The fund's investment stages provide valuable insights into its strategy and focus areas.

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Real estate investment trusts (REITs) are a way to invest in property without directly managing it, with some REITs offering a 4-6% dividend yield.

Investors should carefully consider the local market conditions and economic stability before investing in a foreign country.

The Samsung Catalyst Fund is a venture capital fund that invests in various sectors to support innovation and growth. It has a diverse portfolio, with investments in multiple areas.

High Tech is one of the sectors where the fund has made a significant number of investments, with a total of 29 investments.

Here's a breakdown of the fund's investments by sector:

Semiconductors are another key area of focus for the fund, with 16 investments made in this sector.

The VC Principal role at Samsung Catalyst Fund in Berlin, Germany, is a highly sought-after position. The ideal candidate has a strong track record of investing in high-margin, high-tech companies across Germany.

To be successful in this role, you'll need to have a deep understanding of global technology trends and applications. Adaptability and insight are key in identifying new investment opportunities.

The investment prizes are broad, ranging from investing in companies that Samsung could eventually acquire to investing for strategic benefits. This requires a creative and entrepreneurial mindset, as well as the ability to generate your own deal flow and attract market-leading companies.

A bachelor's degree in CS, EE, or Physics is required for this role. Previous experience with a financial VC is a plus.

Here are some of the key skills and qualifications for the VC Principal role:

IPOs and Public Companies are a crucial part of a fund's portfolio, and Samsung Catalyst Fund has several notable examples.

SoundHound was one of the fund's investments, and it went public on April 25, 2022.

The fund first invested in SoundHound on January 31, 2017, and it was part of the Series D round of investment, which totaled $75M.

Innoviz is another public company in the fund's portfolio, with an IPO date of April 6, 2021.

The fund invested in Innoviz on October 31, 2017, as part of the Series B round, which was worth $8M.

IonQ is a third public company in the fund's portfolio, going public on January 8, 2021.

The fund first invested in IonQ on October 22, 2019, as part of the Series B round, which was valued at $55M.

Here are the details of the fund's investments in these public companies:

Graphcore was acquired by Samsung Catalyst Fund on July 12, 2024. This was after the company's Series B round of investment, which raised $40.8 million.

AImotive, another company in Samsung Catalyst Fund's portfolio, was acquired on November 17, 2022. The investment was part of a Series C round, which raised $38 million.

Fungible, Bitglass, and Renovo were also acquired by Samsung Catalyst Fund, but the exact dates of their Series B rounds and investment amounts are not specified.

Here is a list of the acquired companies with their respective acquisition dates and round sizes:

Co-investors play a significant role in the investment ecosystem. They contribute to the growth of portfolio companies by providing additional funding.

Over the past 10 years, 423 investors have co-invested in Samsung Catalyst Fund's portfolio companies. This includes funds and angels.

Magma Venture Partners and SBI Investment are notable co-investors, having invested in rounds before Samsung Catalyst Fund. They've also invested in companies where Samsung Catalyst Fund has not been involved.

Magma Venture Partners has a history of co-investing with Samsung Catalyst Fund in 3 companies. SBI Investment has a similar record, having co-invested in 2 companies with Samsung Catalyst Fund.

Robert Bosch Venture Capital is another prominent co-investor, having partnered with Samsung Catalyst Fund in 4 companies. This demonstrates the value of collaboration in the investment process.

Chrysalis, Decisive, and Hyundai Motor Company are also notable co-investors, having invested in Samsung Catalyst Fund's portfolio after their initial investments.

Axiado Corporation, a pioneer in hardware anchored platform security, has successfully raised $60 million in an oversubscribed Series C funding round, led by Maverick Silicon with participation from Samsung Catalyst Fund.

The investment will fuel the company's rapid growth and continued innovation in AI-driven cybersecurity technologies that are redefining platform security and energy efficiency for accelerated computing in AI data centers.

According to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) 2023 annual report, the cost of reported cybercrime in the U.S. jumped 22% last year to more than $12.5 billion.

Axiado's AI-driven, hardware-anchored TCU solution provides pre-emptive threat detection and real-time mitigation to combat escalating digital threats.

The AI data center accelerator market is projected to grow more than 60% annually, reaching $500 billion by 2028, according to AMD.

The Samsung Catalyst Fund takes a multi-stage investment approach, focusing on startups in various cutting-edge tech spaces like data center, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence.

Startups in the fund's portfolio are carefully selected for their potential to create value and have a creative impact on Samsung.

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The fund has a multi-stage investment strategy, which means it looks to invest in startups at various stages of their growth.

It focuses on innovative technologies like data center, cloud computing, edge computing, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing, among others.

Startups in the fund's portfolio are selected for their potential to create value and have a creative impact on Samsung.

The fund also looks for startups that support Samsung's components business and semiconductor units.

In addition to capital, the fund provides shared resources, networking opportunities, corporate development, and mentorship to its portfolio companies.

This support helps startups grow and thrive, often leading to successful partnerships and collaborations.