Cercano Management

Cercano Management is a venture capital firm spun out from Vulcan Capital, originally established by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen. Based in Bellevue, Washington, with a new office in Atlanta, the firm focuses on early-stage investments across sectors like technology, consumer, life sciences, and data intelligence. With a patient and methodical approach, Cercano has over two decades of investment experience, boasting a diverse portfolio of more than 120 companies. The firm is particularly active in both the West Coast and Southeast U.S., with an increasing presence in Atlanta to capitalize on early-stage opportunities in emerging markets. Key investments include Group14 Technologies, AdaptX, and Twelve, demonstrating their strong interest in transformative technologies and sustainability ventures. Cercano’s strategy revolves around long-term partnerships, often leading early rounds but maintaining flexibility to support companies through later stages. Their average check size varies, but they are known to lead or co-lead rounds, particularly in seed and Series A investments. Startups looking to engage with Cercano should prioritize demonstrating innovative solutions and a strong growth trajectory. The team, led by CEO Christopher Orndorff and supported by leaders like Daley Ervin in Atlanta and Tommy Teo in Singapore, offers global insights with a deep expertise in scaling tech companies.