Seligman Ventures is the newly launched venture capital arm of Seligman Investments, a Menlo Park-based technology investor that manages approximately $30 billion across public and private markets. The venture platform extends Seligman’s research-driven public market strategy into early-stage and growth-stage private technology companies. The firm operates within the broader Seligman Investments platform, which is part of Columbia Threadneedle Investments, the global asset management arm of Ameriprise Financial.
In February 2026, Seligman Investments launched Seligman Ventures with $500 million in capital. The venture arm is backed by assets managed by the Seligman team and is designed to integrate private market investing with Seligman’s long-standing public market expertise. The $500 million allocation provides the firm with flexibility to invest from seed through late-stage private rounds approaching IPO.
Unlike traditional standalone VC firms, Seligman Ventures benefits from deep sector research, board-level experience and capital markets insight developed through managing public technology and healthcare portfolios. This integrated structure allows the venture arm to support companies not only during early growth but also as they transition toward public markets.
Since its formation in November 2025, Seligman Ventures has already completed four investments in early-stage companies spanning AI infrastructure and modern data center hardware. The platform aims to provide founders with long-term capital and capital markets guidance from company formation to IPO readiness.
Leadership
Seligman Ventures is led by managing partner Umesh Padval, a former public company CEO, board member and seasoned investor. He focuses on seed to pre-IPO investments across cybersecurity, AI infrastructure, cloud infrastructure and modern data center technologies.He is joined by managing partner Ashish Kakran, who concentrates on early-stage investments across cloud infrastructure, AI and cybersecurity. Eddie Ackerman serves as CFO and operating partner, overseeing fund-level financial operations while working directly with portfolio founders on finance strategy, fundraising and M&A preparation.The broader Seligman Investments platform is led by chief investment officer Paul Wick.
Investment Strategy
Seligman Ventures applies a research-intensive, infrastructure-first approach. The firm targets core enabling technologies in AI, cybersecurity and cloud systems, often backing technical founders building foundational layers of enterprise infrastructure. With the ability to invest from seed through pre-IPO, Seligman can maintain long-term exposure to its highest-conviction companies. The platform also leverages a strong CXO and board-level network to support enterprise sales, governance and capital markets strategy.
Notable Investments
Since launching in November 2025, Seligman Ventures has made four early-stage investments across AI infrastructure and modern data center hardware, though specific company names have not yet been publicly disclosed.
The portfolio reflects a clear emphasis on foundational compute and enterprise security systems.
Notable Exits
Seligman Ventures is newly formed and has not recorded exits.
Other
Seligman Ventures operates within a $30 billion technology-focused investment platform, offering founders access to deep public market insight and capital markets expertise. This structure may be particularly relevant for companies building toward IPO or requiring sophisticated financial strategy. The firm’s mandate spans early-stage to pre-IPO, allowing it to scale support as companies mature.
Umesh Padval - Managing Partner
Ashish Kakran - Managing Partner
Eddie Ackerman - CFO & Operating Partner
United States
