Salesforce Ventures News
14 articles
Salesforce Ventures doubles AI commitment to $1bn with new fund -
CVC has launched a second $500 million fund, having invested in two dozen artificial intelligence startups over the past 18 months. Notable investments include companies like Anthropic, Mistral, and Cohere. The Global Corporate Venturing (GCV) Leadership Society aims to connect and transform the corporate venture capital ecosystem, with various events planned to further this mission.
Investment
Salesforce Ventures Doubles Down on Generative AI Fund
Salesforce Ventures is expanding its Generative AI Fund to $500 million and adding new AI innovators to its startup ecosystem. The fund has already invested in top AI companies such as Hearth and You.com. The expansion of the fund allows Salesforce Ventures to work with more entrepreneurs and support the development of transformative AI solutions for the enterprise. The article highlights the partnerships with Humane and Tribble, who aim to reimagine customer engagement and go-to-market productivity with generative AI. The funds investments align with Salesforce Ventures strategy of investing in high-potential enterprise technology businesses. The article also mentions the increasing importance of generative AI and the funds commitment to responsible development. The event described in the article occurred in June 2023.
InvestmentPartners
Salesforce Ventures targets new $250M fund at generative AI startups
Salesforce is investing $250 million in startups developing responsible generative AI. The company has already invested in four startups: You.com, Anthropic, Cohere, and Hearth.AI. Salesforce also announced a generative AI pilot called Einstein GPT, which brings ChatGPT-like features to the Salesforce platform. Salesforce Ventures has launched various vertical-specific investment funds in the past, and now it is focusing on the growing trend of generative AI.
InvestmentPartners
Salesforce Ventures Launches Second $100 Million Impact Fund
Salesforce announced its second Impact Fund, a $100 million fund to accelerate the growth of cloud companies addressing pressing needs in education, reskilling, climate action, diversity, equity and inclusion, and tech for nonprofits and foundations. The fund will invest in companies in the areas of education and workforce development, sustainability, diversity and inclusion, and social sector technology. Salesforce Ventures, the companys global strategic investment arm, leads with values of social responsibility, sustainability, and diversity in its investment process. The Global Impact Investing Network estimates the impact investing market size at $715 billion, up over 40% from last year. Salesforce Ventures first Impact Fund has already invested in over 25 companies. The new fund will provide portfolio companies with access to Salesforces resources and expertise.
Investment
Salesforce Ventures Launches $50M Consultant Trailblazer Fund
Salesforce Ventures, the global corporate investment group of Salesforce, has launched a new $50 million Consultant Trailblazer Fund. The fund aims to provide capital to the next generation of cloud consulting companies and digital agencies to build and scale their Salesforce services capabilities. It will support the Salesforce ecosystem by enabling partners to deliver personalized experiences and drive customer success with Salesforce Customer 360. Salesforce Ventures has previously invested in over 375 companies, including DocuSign, Twilio, and Zoom, across 22 countries. The goal is to reach 250,000 certified consultants by 2022.
PartnersInvestment
Salesforce Ventures Launches $125 Million EMEA Investment Fund
Salesforce Ventures has launched a $125 million fund focused on companies developing cloud technologies in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), including Israel. Salesforce has previously acquired five Israeli companies and invested in 12 others. The company considers Israel a major research and development center and is looking to make further investments in the country. Salesforce Ventures is seeking entrepreneurs who want to utilize the resources Salesforce has to offer, rather than just being acquired.
InvestmentAcquisitionPartners
Salesforce Ventures Introduces $50 Million Australia Trailblazer Fund
Salesforce doubles down on Japan with dedicated $100M fund
Salesforce has announced a $100 million fund for enterprise startups in Japan, marking its first local fund in Asia. The Japan Trailblazer Fund aims to tap into Japans growing public cloud services market, which is expected to reach $13 billion by 2022. This move is positive news for Japan, as it has struggled to attract overseas investors despite being the worlds third-largest economy. Salesforce Ventures has previously backed 40 startups in Japan and has invested over $1 billion in companies worldwide. The fund will support Japanese startups, such as accounting service Freee and contact management business Sansan, in their expansion efforts.
Investment
Salesforce Ventures earmarks $100M to invest in Canadian enterprise cloud startups
Salesforce Ventures has announced the Trailblazer Fund, a $100 million investment in startups in Canada, with a focus on enterprise cloud computing. The first four startups to receive backing from the fund are Tier1CRM, Traction Guest, Tulip, and OSF Commerce. Salesforce has previously invested in startups in Canada, including Bionym, Vidyard, and LeadSift. The company sees Canada as a key market, with 6,000 companies, including Air Canada and TD Bank, using its CRM services. The $2 billion investment in Canada announced earlier this year will support the companys growth in the region. The Trailblazer Fund will not only benefit small tech businesses but also serve as a way for Salesforce to acquire local talent.
InvestmentPartners
Salesforce launches $50 million initiative to fuel social impact startups
Salesforce has launched the Salesforce Impact Fund, a $50 million initiative to invest in startups that are using Salesforce technology to address social issues. The fund will focus on four key areas: workforce development and education, equality, environment, and the social sector. The first class of startups to receive funding includes Ellevest, Angaza Design, Hustle, and Viridis Learning. Salesforce Ventures, the companys corporate investment group, will evaluate and invest in startups on a rolling basis. The goal is to fully deploy the $50 million fund within the next two years. The Impact Fund is part of Salesforces commitment to corporate social responsibility and its mission to make the world a better and more equal place.
Investment
Salesforce Ventures launches $50M fund to encourage AI development on Salesforce platform
Salesforce Ventures has announced a $50 million fund to encourage startups to build AI-fueled applications on top of Salesforce. The goal is to accelerate the development of transformative AI solutions on Salesforce. The company is already seeing more than 7,000 developers building AI apps with Salesforce Einstein. The first three companies being funded include AI start-ups Highspot, Squirro, and TalkIQ, along with All Turtles, an AI startup studio.
InvestmentPartners
Salesforce Primes $100 Million for New Startup Fund
Salesforce Blazes a New Trail for Developer Success, Empowers Anyone to Develop Apps Lightning Fast
Salesforce has announced new Lightning innovations and investments to democratize app development and empower a new generation of developers. The company has introduced new coding tools and visual development experiences to accelerate app development and boost productivity. Salesforce has also launched Trailhead Superbadges, which allow developers to acquire and master in-demand career-building skills. The company continues to invest in its developer ecosystem with a new Lightning Fund and incubator. Salesforce Ventures has invested in more than 150 enterprise cloud startups and is announcing a new $50 million Lightning Fund. Salesforce is also launching an incubator for early-stage companies leveraging Salesforce Lightning. The company is showcasing these innovations and more at TrailheaDX, its new developer conference.
CustomersInvestment
Salesforce Launches $100M Salesforce1 Fund - FinSMEs
Salesforce.com has launched a $100M fund called Salesforce1 Fund to invest in companies building innovative mobile apps and connected products that extend the power of the Salesforce1 Platform. The fund provides funding and access to Salesforces cloud ecosystem for portfolio companies. The fund has already invested in DocuSign, i.am+, InsideSales.com, and Skuid.
Investment