Touring Capital

When it comes to the evolving #AI stack, there are multiple layers where investors can make an impact. While foundation models and developer tools are essential, our focus is on AI applications—the tools that directly enhance how businesses operate. Here’s why we focus on AI-driven applications: ✔ Seamless integration: These applications fit effortlessly into existing workflows, ensuring minimal disruption. 🔄 ✔ Tangible value: AI applications deliver measurable results, not just abstract potential. 📊 ✔ Optimization: They optimize core business processes, making operations more efficient. 🚀 ✔ Scalability: By streamlining operations, AI applications enable businesses to grow at scale. 📈 This is where real change happens—AI applications that not only enhance day-to-day processes but also drive long-term growth. 🌟

🎉 Congratulations to our portfolio company, SafeBase, for making the Fortune and Lightspeed 2025 #Cyber60 list for the second year in a row! But that’s not all. As trust building between companies and their customers becomes paramount with the explosion of AI and attack surfaces, SafeBase has advanced from the "early" category to "early growth." With over 4,000 hours saved for customers in the security review process, their commitment to excellence through the Trust Center platform and AI Questionnaire Assistance is truly shaping the future of cybersecurity. We look forward to witnessing SafeBase's continued growth and establishing the gold standard of customer trust in an increasingly complicated digital world! 💪🔒

As we celebrate #Diwali2024, the festival of lights, we're reminded of the power of resilience, hope, and unity. Rooted in ancient tradition, Diwali signifies the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil. It’s a time for renewal, reflection, and coming together with loved ones to share in the joy of the season. At Touring Capital, we take this moment to honor our deep ties to the Indian community. Whether it’s Nagraj Kashyap and Samir Kumar’s roots in New Delhi or Priya Saiprasad’s upbringing in Chennai, our connection to India is close to our hearts. We are grateful for the values of adaptability, innovation, and community that continue to inspire us. May this Diwali bring you and your families light, happiness, and prosperity as we all work toward a brighter future together. Happy Diwali! #FestivalOfLights 

The AI boom is undeniable and yet still unpredictable. According to Crunchbase data, AI funding has reached $332B since 2019, yet exit values are dropping. M&A for venture-backed companies is tracking at $47B this year, down sharply from 2021. So what's next for AI startups? How can they build not just value but real staying power? Our general partner, Priya Saiprasad, believes the answer lies in strong defensibility and a realistic growth strategy. Solving big pain points, demonstrating immediate ROI, and creating a data flywheel that only strengthens over time are non-negotiables for standing out in AI. Her advice to founders? 💡Target large, transformable markets where AI can have a competitive edge in replacing inefficient processes and drive widespread change based on industry-specific data. 👀 Prioritize rational valuations and bet on fundamentals rather than fleeting market multiples, as those will pave the way for resilient exits. 🌟Surround yourself with VCs who understand the long journey and can remind you that this is a marathon, not a sprint. In the end, substance trumps short-term wins. More insight from Priya: https://lnkd.in/dpBEb4Yj

Exciting times lie ahead in the automotive industry! Dealerships are in a prime position for disruption, with the potential to leverage AI technology to transform their operations. Solutions like Numa are game-changers. Numa’s software reduces customer response times from 23 hours to just 13 minutes while significantly increasing service revenue. We see immense potential in using AI and software to enhance productivity across various industries. Those who embrace AI will not only remain competitive but also lead the way in improving customer experiences. As our general partner, Priya Saiprasad, pointed out, dealerships currently spend about $60 billion on customer service. If we can automate just 10% of that, it opens up a $6 billion market opportunity! We’re proud to be investors in Numa and partner with the team as we enter a pivotal transformation for automotive dealerships. Read more about Numa in Automotive News here: https://lnkd.in/g7kmVedw

Every great origin story starts with a shared vision that ignites passion and takes courage to take the first step. Samir Kumar spoke with Joel Palathinkal, Ph.D and discussed how the deep connections between him, Nagraj Kashyap, and Priya Saiprasad laid the foundation for what would later become Touring Capital as we know it today. Our founding team felt compelled to work with early growth companies where they could support founders on their journey, help navigate challenges during their formative years and watch them grow. 🚀 The team’s... 1️⃣ Deep mutual respect for one another 2️⃣ Shared professional experiences and aligned personal values 3️⃣ Expanded network of connections demonstrate the incredible possibilities that emerge when three exceptional peers are passionate about building something meaningful. Together, they are not just investing in companies but partnering with visionary founders and driving innovation forward!

Priya Saiprasad recently joined Dmitry Shevelenko, Marily Nika, Ph.D, and moderator Kirthiga Reddy for TiE Silicon Valley’s AI Series panel! In case you missed it, Priya shared her thoughts on the future of SaaS, market changes, and what excites her most. 💀 Is SaaS Dead? Not quite. AI is transforming the SaaS business model, disrupting traditional per-seat, annual pricing but AI-driven SaaS isn't going anywhere—it's evolving! Priya sees value-based pricing, where revenue is tied to ROI, emerging as the next game-changer. 🎉 What’s driving her excitement? The transformative potential of AI to supercharge traditionally services-heavy industries, such as financial services, automotive and healthcare. There are vast opportunities in these sectors, which face unique pain points and outdated processes, where AI can deliver immediate ROI and create life-changing solutions for end-users. Thank you to TiE Silicon Valley for hosting and to everyone who attended! 

AI innovation is heating up as startups have snagged a staggering $22.9 billion in VC funding in 2024! While established players hold structural advantages, our general partner, Samir Kumar, believes those “who want to push the envelope often find it easier to branch out." Fragmentation in major labs is driving talented researchers to create groundbreaking solutions that will redefine the AI landscape. These emerging companies are embracing greater control and urgency in their work to join the frontier of the gen AI shift. Are you a visionary startup ready to take charge of AI innovation? Let’s connect! 💡✨

Our co-founder Priya Saiprasad had the pleasure of connecting with Caroline Hyde and Ed Ludlow at Bloomberg Television to discuss how the Touring Capital team identifies the best industries for AI investment. Some of the key things we look for include: 📈 Large TAM and big customer pain point  ✍ Mature industries who still rely largely on pen, paper, excel and inefficient processes  ⏰ “Why now” tailwinds: Is this an industry with the potential for wide-scale change?  💸 Immediate ROI to the end-user that creates a strong propensity to pay for the solution To-date, we’ve announced five investments in Pixis, Daloopa, SafeBase, CuspAI and Numa — all of which reflect these guiding principles. We’re excited to continue identifying category-defining SaaS companies in industries that are prime candidates for AI disruption. Check out the full Bloomberg Technology segment here, with Priya’s interview starting at the 19:20 minute mark: https://bit.ly/4gVssyL 

Thank you to everyone who joined Nagraj Kashyap's fireside chat at Counter V last week! It was a pleasure to hear about the future of investing and discuss the critical role of diversification across sectors, geographies, and stages. A big shout out to Promod Haque from Norwest Venture Partners for an insightful conversation. Throughout history, adaptability has proven essential as we navigate through multiple platform shifts–from the internet and mobile to cloud technology and now AI. It’s a thrilling yet complex landscape, especially when we unpack all the promises and potential pitfalls of AI investing. We’re all learning to navigate this technological revolution together, and we’re excited to see how we can harness innovation to shape the future. Special thanks to Counterpart Ventures for having Nagraj!