Cambrian Ventures fintech fund bucks the slowdown trend
In an era where fintech funding appears to be cooling off, Cambrian Ventures fintech fund is rewriting the script. Led by solo general partner Rex Salisbury, Cambrian Ventures just closed its second fund—another $20 million round—proving there’s still serious investor belief in early-stage fintech. This is no small feat, especially as 2025 has seen fundraising for emerging VC managers drop to a decade-low, according to PitchBook. But Salisbury’s track record and deep roots in the fintech ecosystem have kept confidence high. Despite the prevailing narrative that fintech has lost its sheen, Salisbury insists that “only 1% of global financial services revenues has been captured by fintech,” underlining the massive opportunity that still lies ahead.
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Rex Salisbury’s fintech roots power Cambrian’s strategy
Salisbury isn’t new to fintech—and that’s a big part of Cambrian Ventures’ appeal. His journey began in 2015 after leaving a banking job to work in engineering at a San Francisco mortgage startup. He watched companies like Stripe, Plaid, and Wealthfront scale rapidly, laying the foundation for what would become his lifelong passion. Before launching Cambrian Ventures, Salisbury played a key role as the founding member of Andreessen Horowitz’s (a16z) fintech practice, where he backed startups like Deel, now a major player in global payroll and HR tools. This combination of hands-on experience and strategic foresight helps Salisbury identify startups with real potential—many of which traditional investors might overlook.
Cambrian Ventures fintech fund shows early success in seed investing
Cambrian’s first $20 million fund has already backed 33 pre-seed and seed-stage startups, and Salisbury claims nearly half have secured Series A rounds—a graduation rate well above the industry average of 15.4% reported by Carta. That early success has helped cement his reputation for identifying strong founders who can execute their visions with precision. Portfolio standouts include Keep, a Canadian credit card and payments startup, and Simple Closures, which helps other startups wind down efficiently. Salisbury’s thesis is clear: in fintech, operational excellence and niche problem-solving are still ripe for disruption. With the Cambrian Ventures fintech fund, he's betting on founders who not only understand the space but can also deliver measurable impact.
Why Cambrian Ventures fintech fund matters in 2025 and beyond
While many VCs are pulling back from fintech, Cambrian is doubling down. Salisbury’s ability to raise another $20 million in such a tough fundraising environment sends a strong signal that expertise and specialization still win in venture capital. His optimism is rooted not in hype but in data: the fintech revolution has barely scratched the surface globally. The Cambrian Ventures fintech fund positions itself not just as a source of capital but as a strategic partner for mission-driven fintech founders. As the sector matures, funds like Cambrian that blend deep fintech insight with high founder conviction are likely to lead the next wave of innovation. And with Salisbury at the helm, it’s clear Cambrian will continue to defy the odds and help redefine the future of financial services.
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