Lightspeed Ventures

lsvp.com

Lightspeed backs bold founders with big ideas across multiple sectors including AI, cybersecurity, enterprise software, healthcare, and gaming. They have invested approximately $2.5 billion in over 100 AI companies alone and maintain a 20+ year track record as first institutional investors in category-defining companies.

Check Size

Not specified

Stages

Seed, Series A, Series B, Series C, Series D, Series E, Growth, Late Stage

Focus Areas

Ai Ml, Enterprise Saas, Vertical Saas

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Investment Thesis

Lightspeed believes in building deep, authentic partnerships with founders rather than surface-level engagement. They practice ‘complete immersion’ in their portfolio companies, rolling up their sleeves to earn their seat at the table. Their investment approach emphasizes depth of commitment, relationships built on transparency and trust, and unwavering conviction from Seed to Series F and beyond. They reject the approach of many VCs who attempt to maintain broad expertise across everything, instead building mastery through focused engagement.

What Sets Them Apart

Depth-first approach: 'Depth is our center of gravity' - they build mastery rather than attempting broad expertise
Multi-stage investment capability: Can invest from Seed through Series F and beyond, with continued support across funding rounds
Extensive operator network (Lighthouse platform): Over 2,500+ enterprise IT leaders, 'Leaders at Scale' who have built iconic companies, and functional domain experts available to portfolio companies
Design Partner Program: Direct connections between early-stage companies and progressive IT leaders at 1,200+ companies for rapid product validation
Global presence with local expertise: Offices in US, Europe, Israel, India, and Southeast Asia with distinct investment entities (LSVP and LSIP)
Complete immersion philosophy: 'Creating together instead of funding from afar' with board presence and operational involvement
20+ year track record: First investor in Affirm, AppDynamics, Arctic Wolf, Blend, Nutanix, Snap, Zscaler, and others