Catapult Ventures

Catapult Ventures is a Silicon Valley-based venture capital firm that invests in pre-seed and seed-stage startups at the intersection of hardware, embedded systems, and software. The firm focuses on disruptive innovations in artificial intelligence, automation, robotics, and the Internet of Things. They target a broad range of industries, including automotive, aerospace, industrial manufacturing, construction, logistics, consumer electronics, healthcare, and agriculture.

Catapult Ventures was founded in 2017 by Darren Liccardo and Rouz Jazayeri. Both founders bring extensive operational experience, with over three decades combined, having worked in the trenches of technology development and business building. Their approach to investing is informed by their practical experience in building revenue-generating technology businesses, seeking founders with grit, scrapiness, and a willingness to get hands-on.

The firm's portfolio showcases a diverse range of deep-tech companies. Notable investments include Anello Photonics, developing silicon photonic sensors; Elroy Air, focused on autonomous aerial cargo systems; and Mythic, building ultra-efficient embedded AI processors. Catapult Ventures has also achieved early exits with companies like Oculii, which was acquired by Ambarella for $308 million, and XNOR.ai, acquired by Apple. Other portfolio companies span areas such as advanced farming robotics, smart security cameras, small satellite launch systems, and intelligent factory automation.

The Catapult Ventures team is led by its co-founders, Darren Liccardo and Rouz Jazayeri, and Associate Michael Paniccia. Darren Liccardo's background includes leadership roles in autonomous systems at DJI and as the founding Director of Tesla's Autopilot engineering group. Rouz Jazayeri's experience includes working with prominent investors at Kleiner Perkins and contributing to product development at Intel. Michael Paniccia brings expertise in aerospace and photonics, having worked in venture capital and early-stage startups like Anello Photonics. Their collective operational and investment experience provides significant support and guidance to their portfolio companies.