Description Founded in 1997, Windward Ventures is a venture capital firm that provides capital and management for early-stage, high-growth tech companies in Southern California. The firm, which typically becomes the lead investor for its portfolio companies, focuses on the telecom, electronics, semiconductor, systems engineering, software, and medical device industries. Typical investments are between $3 and $5 million. Portfolio companies include Astute Networks, Akonix Systems, Occam Networks, and Troika Networks.