The firm’s approach rests on a lean portfolio model, with 10 partners making only one or two new investments annually. Motamedi notes that this discipline is essential for providing the operational support—such as recruiting top engineering talent or connecting startups with enterprise customers—that helped build companies like Baseten and Abnormal. With this latest vehicle, the firm expects to back approximately 25 companies, focusing heavily on seed and Series A rounds where it can incubate founders from the earliest stages.
In section Startups & Technology
Greylock deliberately caps new fund at $1.5B to preserve hands-on model
While competitors race to amass record-breaking capital, the 61-year-old Silicon Valley firm Greylock Ventures has intentionally capped its 18th fund at $1.5 billion. Partner Saam Motamedi admits the firm could have raised significantly more, but opted for restraint to maintain the high-touch support that defines its investment strategy.
Despite this early-stage focus, the firm remains opportunistic regarding growth-stage bets. Roughly 15% of the new fund is earmarked for later-stage opportunities, a strategy already seen in significant investments like Anthropic, Revolut, and Wiz. The firm’s commitment to early-stage roots remains visible in its internal process: Monday partner meetings prioritize individual talent over established business models, often backing entrepreneurs before they have even incorporated a company.
Comments (0)
No comments yet. Be the first!