Shepherd Ventures

Shepherd Ventures is a venture capital firm established in 2001 and headquartered in San Diego, California. The firm specializes in first, later stage, and mezzanine investments, focusing on information technology and life sciences sectors while excluding seed stage companies. In the information technology domain, Shepherd Ventures invests in areas such as software, semiconductors, digital media, and communications infrastructure. In life sciences, it targets medical devices, biotherapeutics, and healthcare IT. The firm primarily seeks investment opportunities in Southern California, particularly San Diego, where it identifies a significant shortage of venture capital. Shepherd Ventures aims to build a balanced portfolio of growth companies characterized by experienced management teams and strong market potential, emphasizing sustainable competitive advantages and credible paths to profitability. The firm is composed of a team of industry leaders with extensive experience in guiding and investing in technology and life sciences companies, committed to supporting their portfolio companies in achieving success.

George C. Kenney

Managing Director and Co-Founder

Richard P. Kuntz

Managing Director

Fred Lawrence

Venture Partner

Tom Siegel

Co-Founder and Managing Director

24 past transactions

Cyabra

Series A in 2021
Cyabra Strategy Ltd. is an Israeli company that specializes in protecting brands and public figures from misleading discourse and disinformation on social media. Founded in 2017 and based in Tel Aviv-Yafo, the company has developed an online platform that filters out false information and deepfakes, allowing clients to make decisions based on genuine content. The platform detects social media attacks and provides insights into malicious actors, bot networks, and generative artificial intelligence content. Additionally, it features a proactive alerts system to help clients safeguard their reputation against disinformation and election-related threats. The team at Cyabra comprises veterans of information warfare, bringing expertise to the field of social threat intelligence.

Carepoynt

Convertible Note in 2018
Carepoynt, LLC, based in Newport Beach, California, operates a pioneering platform that establishes a rewards program tailored for the healthcare and wellness sector. This innovative program, known as Rewardsware for Healthcare™, aims to enhance consumer engagement by placing individuals at the heart of their healthcare experiences. Carepoynt connects patients, providers, employers, and payers within a collaborative network, enabling members to earn and redeem CarePoynts™ through participation in personalized health plans and interactions with various wellness providers. The platform leverages advanced technology, big data, and analytics to facilitate care coordination, ultimately driving improved health outcomes and fostering a more rewarding healthcare environment. By promoting a community-focused approach, Carepoynt significantly contributes to a more organized and consumer-centric healthcare landscape.

TakeLessons

Series A in 2011
TakeLessons is an educational platform that connects students with qualified instructors across various subjects, including music, languages, academic tutoring, and the performing arts. The platform serves as a marketplace where users can easily find and book local or online lessons tailored to their needs. Instructors benefit from integrated tools that streamline their business operations, including scheduling, billing, payment processing, and communication, which are accessible on both desktop and mobile devices. By fostering a diverse community of teachers and students, TakeLessons aims to enhance the learning experience and cater to different teaching and learning styles.

Revance Therapeutics

Series D in 2011
Revance Therapeutics, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on the development, manufacture, and commercialization of neuromodulators for aesthetic and therapeutic uses. The company’s lead product, DaxibotulinumtoxinA for injection (DAXI), is undergoing clinical trials for various conditions, including glabellar lines, cervical dystonia, adult upper limb spasticity, and chronic migraine. In addition, DAXI is being evaluated for cosmetic applications such as forehead lines and lateral canthal lines. Revance is also developing DaxibotulinumtoxinA Topical for both therapeutic and aesthetic purposes, and it is working on a biosimilar to BOTOX in collaboration with Mylan. Founded in 1999 and originally known as Essentia Biosystems, the company is headquartered in Newark, California.

Revance Therapeutics

Series D in 2009
Revance Therapeutics, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on the development, manufacture, and commercialization of neuromodulators for aesthetic and therapeutic uses. The company’s lead product, DaxibotulinumtoxinA for injection (DAXI), is undergoing clinical trials for various conditions, including glabellar lines, cervical dystonia, adult upper limb spasticity, and chronic migraine. In addition, DAXI is being evaluated for cosmetic applications such as forehead lines and lateral canthal lines. Revance is also developing DaxibotulinumtoxinA Topical for both therapeutic and aesthetic purposes, and it is working on a biosimilar to BOTOX in collaboration with Mylan. Founded in 1999 and originally known as Essentia Biosystems, the company is headquartered in Newark, California.

WiSpry

Series C in 2009
WiSpry, Inc. is a fabless radio frequency semiconductor company based in Irvine, California, founded in 2002. The company specializes in developing, manufacturing, and marketing radio frequency silicon integrated circuits and components, particularly tunable RF technology. Its product offerings include digital RF capacitors, RF capacitor networks, digital RF-MEMS tunable capacitors, filters, duplexors, and power amplifiers. These products support various applications such as RF matching circuits, agile frequency generation, and tunable filter systems. WiSpry serves a diverse clientele, including mobile handset manufacturers, RF module producers, cellular base station suppliers, and electronic system developers. As of May 2015, WiSpry operates as a subsidiary of AAC Technologies Holdings Inc.

Sendio

Series B in 2009
Sendio, Inc. specializes in email security products designed to protect enterprises and institutions from spam and email threats. Founded in 2003 and based in Newport Beach, California, the company offers a range of solutions including Opt-Inbox, which filters out unwanted mail; Server Recon to combat automated spamming; Email Continuity for maintaining business operations; and an Email Security Gateway that employs advanced technology to eliminate spam. These solutions can be deployed across various platforms, including appliance, virtual appliance, and hosted environments. Sendio's innovative approach enhances employee efficiency by reducing the time spent managing email inboxes, ensuring users receive only relevant communications from their trusted contacts. The company serves diverse sectors such as casinos, finance, government, healthcare, and legal, marketing its products globally through resellers and systems integrators.

Quickoffice

Venture Round in 2008
Quickoffice specializes in mobile office document software designed for smartphones, enabling users to open, view, and edit Microsoft Office files while maintaining the integrity of the original documents. The software has undergone extensive testing to meet the quality standards of leading mobile phone manufacturers and is distributed through major carriers, including Vodafone, Orange, China Mobile, and AT&T. Fully localized in 36 languages, Quickoffice is available globally as a built-in solution on a wide range of smartphones, providing users with a convenient tool for document management on the go.

Digital Orchid

Venture Round in 2008
Digital Orchid, Inc. develops and distributes wireless applications for sports betting services, lotteries, games, brand content, and sports media for the gaming and entertainment industries in the United States, Latin America, and Europe. It provides regulated mobile lottery, sports betting services, and content solutions for wireless operators. The company also deploys regulated lottery gaming, sports wagering, and content transactions for various brands. It operates operator race and sports book services, provides online thorough bread racing and content services, and develops online gaming software systems. The company operates a Todomo WAP portal, which allows users to deploy new content to handsets in a matter of minutes. In addition, it offers Todomo BREW Applications, which allows users to publish content to the handsets in use in North, Central, and South America. Further, the company operates and distributes lottery games and sports pool betting services in Mexico. It distributes its products and services through carrier and direct channels, and partners in North America, Latin America, Europe, and Asia. Digital Orchid, Inc. was founded in 2002 and is based in San Diego, California.

Revance Therapeutics

Series C in 2007
Revance Therapeutics, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on the development, manufacture, and commercialization of neuromodulators for aesthetic and therapeutic uses. The company’s lead product, DaxibotulinumtoxinA for injection (DAXI), is undergoing clinical trials for various conditions, including glabellar lines, cervical dystonia, adult upper limb spasticity, and chronic migraine. In addition, DAXI is being evaluated for cosmetic applications such as forehead lines and lateral canthal lines. Revance is also developing DaxibotulinumtoxinA Topical for both therapeutic and aesthetic purposes, and it is working on a biosimilar to BOTOX in collaboration with Mylan. Founded in 1999 and originally known as Essentia Biosystems, the company is headquartered in Newark, California.

Andigilog

Series B in 2007
Andigilog, Inc. is a fabless analog and mixed-signal semiconductor company specializing in intelligent thermal management solutions. Founded in 1996 and headquartered in Tempe, Arizona, the company develops a range of products including sensor interface integrated circuits, temperature sensors, system controllers, and brushless DC fan motor controllers. These products cater to diverse markets such as computing, telecommunications, consumer electronics, automotive, industrial, biomedical, and security systems. Andigilog serves its clientele through a comprehensive sales network, addressing the thermal management needs of various industries.

Quickoffice

Series D in 2007
Quickoffice specializes in mobile office document software designed for smartphones, enabling users to open, view, and edit Microsoft Office files while maintaining the integrity of the original documents. The software has undergone extensive testing to meet the quality standards of leading mobile phone manufacturers and is distributed through major carriers, including Vodafone, Orange, China Mobile, and AT&T. Fully localized in 36 languages, Quickoffice is available globally as a built-in solution on a wide range of smartphones, providing users with a convenient tool for document management on the go.

Specific Media

Series A in 2006
Specific Media LLC is a global media company headquartered in Irvine, California, specializing in advertising solutions that connect brands with consumers across diverse platforms. The company offers a range of innovative products, including Custom Audiences for onboarding and measurement, Specific Video for video advertising, and targeted solutions for mobile and connected television. Specific Media's offerings also encompass programmatic advertising, Shopper Access Total for linking online and offline shopping, and various audience segmentation tools tailored to specific industries like automotive, retail, and financial services. By leveraging exclusive data partnerships and a robust network of premium publishing partners, Specific Media enables brands to effectively influence consumer purchasing decisions. Founded in 1999 and formerly known as Advertisement Banners.com, the company operates as a subsidiary of Interactive Media Holdings, Inc., with additional offices in major U.S. cities and several international locations.

Digital Orchid

Series B in 2006
Digital Orchid, Inc. develops and distributes wireless applications for sports betting services, lotteries, games, brand content, and sports media for the gaming and entertainment industries in the United States, Latin America, and Europe. It provides regulated mobile lottery, sports betting services, and content solutions for wireless operators. The company also deploys regulated lottery gaming, sports wagering, and content transactions for various brands. It operates operator race and sports book services, provides online thorough bread racing and content services, and develops online gaming software systems. The company operates a Todomo WAP portal, which allows users to deploy new content to handsets in a matter of minutes. In addition, it offers Todomo BREW Applications, which allows users to publish content to the handsets in use in North, Central, and South America. Further, the company operates and distributes lottery games and sports pool betting services in Mexico. It distributes its products and services through carrier and direct channels, and partners in North America, Latin America, Europe, and Asia. Digital Orchid, Inc. was founded in 2002 and is based in San Diego, California.

Quickoffice

Venture Round in 2006
Quickoffice specializes in mobile office document software designed for smartphones, enabling users to open, view, and edit Microsoft Office files while maintaining the integrity of the original documents. The software has undergone extensive testing to meet the quality standards of leading mobile phone manufacturers and is distributed through major carriers, including Vodafone, Orange, China Mobile, and AT&T. Fully localized in 36 languages, Quickoffice is available globally as a built-in solution on a wide range of smartphones, providing users with a convenient tool for document management on the go.

Oculir

Series A in 2005
Oculir develops non-invasive glucose meter that measures glucose from the conjunctiva of the eye.

NP Photonics

Series A in 2005
NP Photonics, Inc. designs and produces optical light sources for sensing, medical, and research and development markets. It offers fiber and single-frequency lasers, amplified spontaneous emission sources, fiber amplifiers, and light sources. It offers its products through distributors in Australia, Belgium, France, Germany, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Finland, the Netherlands, the People's Republic of China, and the United Kingdom. NP Photonics, Inc. was formerly known as NP Photonic Technologies, LLC and it changed its name in August 2000. The company was founded in 1998 and is based in Tucson, Arizona.

NP Photonics

Series A in 2005
NP Photonics, Inc. designs and produces optical light sources for sensing, medical, and research and development markets. It offers fiber and single-frequency lasers, amplified spontaneous emission sources, fiber amplifiers, and light sources. It offers its products through distributors in Australia, Belgium, France, Germany, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Finland, the Netherlands, the People's Republic of China, and the United Kingdom. NP Photonics, Inc. was formerly known as NP Photonic Technologies, LLC and it changed its name in August 2000. The company was founded in 1998 and is based in Tucson, Arizona.

SiliconSystems

Series B in 2005
SiliconSystems is the world leader in industrial-grade solid-state storage solutions engineered exclusively for the high performance, high reliability, multi-year product lifecycle requirements of the Enterprise System OEM market. The company's patented and patent-pending SiliconDrive(TM) technology meets the rigorous demands of applications in the netcom, military, industrial, interactive kiosk and medical markets. SiliconSystems is based in Aliso Viejo, California.

Quickoffice

Series C in 2005
Quickoffice specializes in mobile office document software designed for smartphones, enabling users to open, view, and edit Microsoft Office files while maintaining the integrity of the original documents. The software has undergone extensive testing to meet the quality standards of leading mobile phone manufacturers and is distributed through major carriers, including Vodafone, Orange, China Mobile, and AT&T. Fully localized in 36 languages, Quickoffice is available globally as a built-in solution on a wide range of smartphones, providing users with a convenient tool for document management on the go.

CEYX

Series A in 2005
CEYX Technologies, Inc. specializes in software-enabled control systems for light-emitting devices. The company designs, develops, and markets embedded firmware utilized in various applications, including optical transceivers for communications networks, LCD backlights for large-format screens, LED devices, and specialized optical instruments. CEYX offers products like the LightSmart X100, a firmware engine that monitors laser temperature and aging, and the LightSmart D100, an application-specific integrated circuit that facilitates the use of an inverter for driving cold cathode fluorescent lamps. The company serves multiple markets, including datacom, display control systems, and sensors. Established in 2001, CEYX is headquartered in San Diego, California.

Emergent Respiratory

Venture Round in 2003
Emergent Respiratory, LLC is engaged in the development, manufacture, and marketing of proprietary medical devices designed for non-invasive ventilation therapy. Based in Carlsbad, California, the company offers advanced oxygen delivery systems that aid individuals suffering from various respiratory conditions, including congestive heart failure and acute respiratory distress. Their product line features a positive pressure ventilation platform, which includes pressure-balanced patient valves, single-use breathing circuits, and specialized masks aimed at providing early intervention for dyspnea. Emergent Respiratory's devices are utilized across diverse care settings, such as emergency medical services, hospitals, and alternative care environments. Established in 2000, the company functions as a subsidiary of Next Life Medical Inc. since 2016.

Skylight

Series B in 2002
Skylight Tools, Inc. operates a digital platform that simplifies the process of home renovations by connecting users with general contractors. Founded in 2016 and based in San Francisco, the company offers a comprehensive renovation management tool that assists clients in selecting contractors, managing budgets, and tracking project progress. Their application facilitates payment processing, invoice reconciliation, and real-time updates on project status. Skylight also provides a financial guarantee, covering half of any budget overruns exceeding 10%. The company aims to enhance the renovation experience through a fully integrated digital process that encompasses planning, material selection, permitting, and construction, specifically targeting the challenges associated with traditional renovation methods.

Voyager Systems

Venture Round in 2002
Voyager Systems develops security software for wireless data transmissions.
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