Casey Caruso Raises $75 Million for Topology Ventures
Funding | Dec 12, 2024 | Accolade Partners LP
Casey Caruso, a former engineer at Google and part-time investor at Bessemer Venture Partners, has successfully raised $75 million for her new venture fund, Topology Ventures. Targeting what Caruso refers to as 'frontier tech,' the fund will focus on startups capable of transforming science fiction into reality with an emphasis on AI, decentralized networks, neurotechnology, aerospace, and robotics. Topology's fund is backed by significant players like Cendana Capital and Accolade Partners, with individual contributions from top industry figures, including Marc Andreessen of a16z and Bob Goodman of Bessemer. The fund was notably three times oversubscribed. Caruso's deep technical background informs her investment decisions, focusing on startups that demonstrate innovative technological capabilities with practical business applications rather than those focused solely on R&D without a clear business model. Topology Ventures has already made six stealth-mode investments, including one in an AI startup supported by a16z. Caruso, through her technical diligence, aims to avoid haphazard investments seen during the AI boom, particularly in projects disregarding authentic technological expertise. Her unique approach blends technical insight with strategic investment to foster genuine growth in transformative technologies.
Sectors
- Venture Capital
- Technology
Geography
- United States – As the article primarily discusses individuals and firms that are based in or operate out of the United States, such as Google, Bessemer Venture Partners, and others, the primary geographical focus is on the U.S. market.
Industry
- Venture Capital – The article discusses the activities related to the establishment and funding of a new venture capital fund, Topology Ventures, aimed at investing in emerging technologies.
- Technology – The target investments for the fund are within cutting-edge technological fields such as AI, neurotechnology, and robotics, indicating a significant focus on the tech industry.
Financials
- $75 million – The total amount of capital raised by Casey Caruso for Topology Ventures.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Topology Ventures | Target Company | Company | A new venture capital fund led by Casey Caruso with a focus on frontier technology investments. |
| Casey Caruso | Fundraiser/Investor | Person | Founder of Topology Ventures, formerly an engineer at Google and investor at Bessemer Venture Partners. |
| Accolade Partners LP | Anchor Investor | Company | A prominent private equity firm that serves as an anchor investor for Topology Ventures. |
| Cendana Capital | Anchor Investor | Company | Another key investor anchoring Topology Ventures. |
| Marc Andreessen | Investor | Person | A venture capitalist at a16z and one of the limited partners investing in Topology Ventures. |
| Bob Goodman | Investor | Person | Managing partner of Bessemer Venture Partners and investor in Topology Ventures. |