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Seligman Ventures Doubles Deployable Capital to $1B to Back AI Infrastructure Startups

Seligman Ventures, the venture arm of Seligman Investments, has doubled its deployable capital from $500 million to $1 billion less than a year after launching in February 2026, as it deepens its focus on technologies supporting the AI infrastructure build-out.

The firm initially expected to make six to eight investments in its first year but has already backed more than 14 companies across AI infrastructure, modern data center hardware and cybersecurity. Its portfolio includes SambaNova, Lumilens, Eliyan, Upscale, Velaura AI, Cognichip, EPIC Microsystems and Exaforce, and it holds six board seats and three observer seats.

Managing Partner Umesh Padval said opportunities across compute, networking, connectivity, power, thermal management, cybersecurity and AI software infrastructure have exceeded expectations. The firm’s thesis holds that solving one AI bottleneck often exposes another as systems scale. It is also targeting security for AI agents, efficient computing for Physical AI such as robotics, and AI model labs and world models.

Paul Wick, Chief Investment Officer of Seligman Investments, said the increase reflects confidence in the venture team and its portfolio. The additional capital will support more and larger investments alongside follow-on funding. Seligman Ventures sits within the alternatives business of Columbia Threadneedle Investments, and Seligman’s wider platform manages about $48 billion in technology and healthcare investments.

Featured image: Credit: Seligman Ventures

James Dargan
About the author
James Dargan

James Dargan is a writer and researcher at The AI Insider. His focus is on the AI startup ecosystem and he writes articles on the space that have a tone accessible to the average reader.

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