investment strategy

Principally, Core invests in early- and growth-stage companies based on the East Coast, and in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area in particular, but considers opportunities nationwide. Core seeks to be the lead investor and an active member of the boards of directors of the companies in which it invests. Learn more about our portfolio here.

The firm focuses on the types of technologies enabling or enhancing data and communication, with successful investments in a wide range of information technologies. Core seeks to invest in large, rapidly growing markets but has had the most success in communications applications and infrastructure, enterprise software/SaaS, network security, and B2B analytics-areas in which the partners have had years of operating and investing experience. Click here to learn more about Core’s industry focus.

Initial investments are typically in the $2-$5 million range, with an expectation of $5-$12 million in total capital over the life of the investment. Often serving as the lead investor, Core works with other leading funds to build, or participate in, investment syndicates for nearly every investment. Syndicate partners have included firms such as RRE Ventures, Sierra Ventures, USVP, Sequoia Capital, NEA, Rustic Canyon, Intersouth Partners, Grotech Ventures, Oak Management, Venrock, Ascent Venture Partners, and Polaris Venture Partners.

We invest in both the idea and the team, viewing ourselves as long-term venture partners who work closely with our portfolio companies to enhance and protect their technology, provide financial and organizational support, create sales and marketing leads, and nurture market and investment relationships. We are active board members and work hard to create syndicates delivering exceptional value to our entrepreneurs and to our LPs.

Insight into the Effects of Government Policy

Core's unique investment strategy also focuses on the role of public policy, which has never been of greater importance to the areas in which Core invests. Not only is the development of markets affected by policy decisions, but the Obama Administration has chosen to take the lead on stimulating investment and innovation in key areas dependent on IT in response to the current economic downturn. These areas include healthcare IT, nationwide broadband, clean energy, science, and education.

Core's partners have extensive government-related experience. We don't seek to influence policy, but rather to understand how present and potential policy decisions–defining and standardizing technical standards, for example–could affect current investments and those under consideration as well as to identify policy-created investment opportunities.

As the world’s largest purchaser of technology, the U.S. government is also a sales opportunity for many of Core’s companies. Core’s experience assisting companies in navigating the complex world of government procurement is helpful to other companies facing similar challenges.