Cathay Innovation Strengthens Its San Francisco Team with Key Hires

Her ability to combine investment insight with operational expertise marks Yuan as a valuable asset for founders seeking guidance at the inception of their companies. “Rose blends sharp investment judgment with real-world operating experience, making her an invaluable partner to founders from the very beginning,” states Denis Barrier, co-founder and CEO of Cathay Innovation. He highlighted that the expansion of their San Francisco-based investment team now features five professionals, enhancing their capacity to back transformative technology companies across the Americas.

James Colgan joins the firm as an Operating Partner, assisting the investment team in evaluating SaaS and AI opportunities for early- and growth-stage ventures. He will also play a crucial role in helping founders strategize on modern product development and market entry solutions. Colgan has an impressive track record, having played pivotal roles at Microsoft, where he co-directed the transformation of Outlook Mobile into a leading product, and Slack’s enterprise platform. Additionally, he has served as Chief Product Officer (CPO) at Spendesk and Envoy, driving growth through AI innovations and modern operational practices.

“James has helped build some of the most impactful consumer and enterprise software products of the last decade. His experience turning product vision into company-wide momentum will be a tremendous asset to our team and the companies we back,” Barrier added.

Cathay Innovation's Vision

Cathay Innovation is committed to finding and supporting founders who are building revolutionary companies, particularly in crucial sectors such as consumer technology, healthcare, financial services, and energy/mobility. The firm connects entrepreneurs with a robust network of investors and established Fortune 500 corporations, allowing startups to scale effectively while redefining their respective industries.

Founded in Paris in 2015, Cathay Innovation has significantly grown its assets under management, now surpassing €2.5 billion, with offices situated in key global hubs like Berlin, Madrid, Shanghai, and Singapore. The firm has a notable record of investing in over 120 startups, including renowned names such as Chime and Pinduoduo, showcasing its diverse portfolio.

As the venture capital landscape continues to evolve, Cathay Innovation’s recent strategic hires reflect a robust commitment to not only identifying successful companies but actively shaping the next wave of technological advancements. Their emphasis on AI investments underscores the firm's vision of supporting innovative solutions that can leverage data and technology to transform industries across the globe.

For more information about Cathay Innovation and their endeavors, visit www.cathayinnovation.com.