Cambrian Ventures Raises New Fund Amidst Fintech Slowdown
Notably, Cambrian Ventures founded by former a16z fintech partner Rex Salisbury just closed its $20 million early stage fund. This launch also defies the 2025 fintech investment slowdown. Ultimately, it underscores strong confidence in Salisbury’s strategy and his community‑driven model.
Why It Matters
- Of the 33 startups backed by Cambrian’s first fund, nearly half have already reached Series A. That rate greatly exceeds the industry average of ~15%. Clearly, the results shine.
- Community roots run deep: Salisbury built Cambrian as a fintech network today, it spans 15,000 subscribers and 1,100+ founders in Slack. Top fintech founders from Plaid, NerdWallet, SoFi, and Betterment are now LPs in the fund PRWeb
- Focused for early success: The fund makes angel to seed investments up to $500K per company targeting 30 fintech startups over 24 months .
What Sets Cambrian Apart
- Specialist edge: Salisbury argues fintech still captures only 1% of global financial services revenue leaving massive opportunity if you know where to look .
- AI-powered multi-product focus: Today’s portfolio companies like Every build banking, HR, tax, and finance tools in a unified platform using AI from day one .
Cambrian Ventures’ Focus
Importantly, Cambrian Ventures specializes in early stage fintech startups and not only provides capital, but also delivers valuable mentorship and resources to help these companies grow. Moreover, its portfolio includes a diverse range of fintech solutions from innovative payment platforms to cutting edge lending technologies.
The Fintech Landscape
Overall, the broader fintech industry has recently seen contraction in investment due to macroeconomic turbulence and heightened regulatory scrutiny. Consequently, many venture capital firms have grown more cautious, leading to fewer deals and lower valuations. In contrast, Cambrian Ventures’ ability to secure a new fund in this environment highlights its unique positioning and the perceived quality of its investments.
What This Means for Fintech Startups
Importantly, Cambrian’s new fund represents a significant opportunity for emerging fintech startups. Notably, Cambrian’s new fund offers a major boost for emerging fintech startups. Importantly, Cambrian’s fund provides much needed capital and shows that investors still support strong ideas. As a result, this funding could spark innovation and growth in fintech. Moreover, it enables startups to build and scale their solutions faster.It lets startups rapidly build and scale their solutions.
Factors Behind Cambrian’s Success
- Strong Track Record: Cambrian Ventures has a history of identifying and supporting successful fintech startups.
- Deep Industry Expertise: Rex Salisbury and his team possess extensive knowledge of the fintech landscape, enabling them to make informed investment decisions.
- Focus on Early-Stage Companies: By specializing in early-stage investments, Cambrian fills a critical gap in the funding ecosystem.
