Presidio Ventures serves as the corporate venture capital arm of Sumitomo Corporation. Founded in 1998 and based in Silicon Valley with an office in Boston, it taps Sumitomo’s global network to support early-stage companies. Over more than two decades, the team has backed over 160 startups, offering funding from seed rounds through IPO and providing industry expertise to help entrepreneurs expand into new markets, particularly in the U.S. and Asia.
The firm targets companies in enterprise IT, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, digital media, mobility, internet of things, fintech and robotics. Investment decisions reflect both emerging technology trends and Sumitomo’s long-term management and sustainability objectives, with additional emphasis on social infrastructure, healthcare and consumer technology. Portfolio companies benefit from strategic guidance, collaborative business development and access to corporate resources.
A standout feature of Presidio Ventures’ approach is its focus on clean technology and advanced energy. The firm co-led the Series B round for Lilac Solutions, which advances direct lithium extraction to strengthen the battery supply chain for electric vehicles. It supports Enevate’s silicon-based anode innovations for faster charging and higher energy density. The team also backs Leap’s virtual power plant platform, Phoenix Tailings’ resource recovery methods and Fortera’s low-carbon cement process, each contributing to industrial decarbonization and a cleaner energy future.
