EXHIBIT 23.1 Consent of Independent Auditors The Board of Directors Safeguard Scientifics, Inc.: We consent to incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements (No.33-41853, No. 33-31840, No. 2-79617, No. 2-63245, No. 33-48579, No. 33-48462, No. 2-72362, No. 33-72559 and No. 33-72560) on Form S-8 and (No. 2-93525) on Form S-3 of Safeguard Scientifics, Inc. of our report dated February 7, 1998, relating to the consolidated balance sheets of Safeguard Scientifics, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, the related consolidated statements of operations, cash flows and shareholders' equity and related schedules for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1997, which reports are included or incorporated by reference in the December 31, 1997 annual report on Form 10-K of Safeguard Scientifics, Inc. /s/ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP Philadelphia, Pennsylvania March 27, 1998