Partners
Our investment philosophy stems from a simple and fundamental principle: assets flow toward better management over time. That's why we work so hard to align ourselves with what we believe are many of the world's leading venture capital firms-those who have attracted the best people, capital and ideas, and who seek to invest in companies that do the same.
Our venture capital partners include:
Apex Venture Partners Apex Venture Partners, established in 1987, has five funds and more than $500 million under management. The firm has invested in over 110 technology companies. Apex focuses on early-stage investments in enterprise applications and services, IT infrastructure, and telecommunications. Apex’s guiding investment philosophy is to provide exceptional returns for our investors and build significant value in our portfolio companies. Our central location in Chicago enables us to review opportunities throughout the United States and invest in companies having the greatest potential for value creation, regardless of geography.
Benchmark Capital Founded in 1995, Benchmark Capital is an early-stage venture firm that is based on the principles of teamwork and an intense dedication to building technology companies of lasting value. We provide superior service to entrepreneurs through a unique, team-oriented partnership in which every partner is equal in terms of both contribution and compensation. This team approach not only makes it more fun for us to come to work every day, but more importantly, it benefits our portfolio companies. Instead of competing for resources, we share ideas, contacts, resources-whatever’s needed to get the job done and help our portfolio companies succeed.
ComVentures Whether you are two people with an idea; a company looking to grow into a new area; or an enterprise looking for fresh approaches, ComVentures is interested. ComVentures cultivates creativity and innovation. ComVentures is a leading venture capital firm that invests in mobile, Internet and enterprise applications and the underlying communication infrastructure. With $1.5 billion under management, ComVentures' partners have invested in more than 100 companies. Select current investments include: Adinfuse, Fabrik, MarketTools, Zantaz, Azul Systems, FyreStorm, OpSource, and Vyatta. Prior investments include: SiteSmith (acquired by MFN), Broadcom (NASDAQ: BRCM), Arbinet (NASDAQ: ARBX), Chromatis (acquired by Lucent Technologies), Digital Island (NASDAQ: ISLD), P-Cube (acquired by Cisco Systems), Intruvert Networks (acquired by McAfee), Kagoor Networks (acquired by Juniper Networks) and Monterey (acquired by Cisco Systems).
Khosla Ventures Khosla Ventures offers venture assistance, strategic advice and capital to entrepreneurs. The firm helps entrepreneurs extend the potential of their ideas in both traditional venture areas like the Internet, computing, mobile, and silicon technology arenas but also supports breakthrough scientific work in clean technology areas such as bio-refineries for energy and bioplastics, solar, battery and other environmentally friendly technologies. Vinod Khosla was formerly a General Partner at Kleiner Perkins and founder of Sun Microsystems. Vinod has been labeled the No. 1 VC by Forbes and Fortune recently labeled him as one the nation's most influential ethanol advocates, noting "there are venture capitalists, and there's Vinod Khosla." Vinod Khosla founded the firm in 2004 and was joined by partners David Weiden and Samir Kaul, as well as chief scientific officer Doug Cameron in 2006. Khosla Ventures is based in Menlo Park, California.
Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers is passionately committed to helping our portfolio companies succeed. We know that it takes more than solid financial support to get a company off the ground-we help make things happen. We deeply believe that teams win. Entrepreneurs gain access to our unmatched portfolio of companies and associations with global business leaders. These relationships are the foundations for strategic alliances, partnership opportunities, and the sharing of insights to help build new ventures faster, broader, and with less risk. Think of it as "Relationship & Venture Capital."
New Enterprise Associates New Enterprise Associates (NEA) is a leading venture capital firm focused on helping entrepreneurs create and build major new enterprises that use technology to improve the way we live, work and play. Since its founding in 1978, the firm has adhered to the same core principles: supporting its entrepreneurs, providing an excellent return to its limited partners, and operating in accordance with the highest standards of integrity and respect. NEA focuses on investments at all stages of a company’s development, from seed stage through IPO.
