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August Capital is a venture capital firm founded in 1995 and headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area. The firm has a strong track record of investing in breakthrough startups primarily within the information technology sector. Currently, August Capital manages approximately $2 billion in aggregate capital commitments, positioning itself as a significant player in the venture capital landscape.
Over the years, August Capital has evolved its investment strategy to focus on early-stage investments while also making opportunistic later-stage investments that align with venture capital risk and return profiles. The firm has built a diverse group of limited partners, including endowments, private foundations, fund of funds, public charitable organizations, and corporate strategic investors. Notable milestones include successful exits such as Yelp, comScore, and Mercari, showcasing the firm's ability to identify and support high-potential companies.
August Capital primarily invests in early-stage companies, with a focus on pre-seed, seed, seed-plus, Series A, Series B, and Series C funding stages. The firm targets a variety of sectors, including AI, SaaS, fintech, healthcare, consumer, media, logistics, edtech, and proptech. This diverse sector focus allows August Capital to capitalize on emerging trends and technologies across multiple industries.
The firm emphasizes supporting entrepreneurs beyond financial investment, providing resources and guidance to help them succeed. August Capital seeks to partner with founders who demonstrate strong vision and execution capabilities. The firm is particularly interested in companies that exhibit a clear path to growth and scalability, aligning with their investment thesis of backing breakthrough startups in the information technology sector.
August Capital has a notable portfolio that includes a variety of companies across different sectors. Key portfolio companies include:
These companies represent August Capital's commitment to investing in innovative solutions and technologies that address real-world challenges.
Buddy Arnheim: Investment Partner with extensive experience in venture capital and technology investments.
Eric Carlborg: General Partner known for his expertise in early-stage investments and technology sectors.
Howard Hartenbaum: General Partner with a strong background in technology and venture capital.
David Hornik: General Partner who has led numerous successful investments in the tech industry.
John Johnston: Founding Partner with a long history in venture capital and startup development.
David Marquardt: Founding Partner recognized for his contributions to the firm and the venture capital community.
Vivek Mehra: Partner Emeritus with a wealth of experience in technology investments.
Abby Hipps: General Counsel providing legal oversight and guidance to the firm.
To pitch to August Capital, founders should use the investor portal available at August Capital Investor Portal. It is important to include a comprehensive pitch deck that outlines the business model, market opportunity, and financial projections. Founders should expect a response within a few weeks, and warm introductions are preferred but not mandatory.
As of March 2026, August Capital has not announced any new funds since the departure of General Partner David Hornik around 2020. The firm is currently perceived to be in a harvest mode, focusing on managing existing investments rather than actively seeking new opportunities.
What are August Capital's investment criteria?
August Capital invests in early-stage and opportunistic later-stage companies primarily within the information technology sector. They focus on sectors such as AI, SaaS, fintech, healthcare, consumer, media, logistics, edtech, and proptech.
How can I apply or pitch to August Capital?
Founders can pitch to August Capital through their investor portal available at August Capital Investor Portal. It is recommended to include a clear business plan and financial projections in the pitch deck.
What makes August Capital different from other venture firms?
August Capital emphasizes not only financial investment but also provides resources and guidance to entrepreneurs, helping them navigate the challenges of building a successful startup.
What is the geographic scope of August Capital's investments?
The firm primarily focuses on investments in North America, allowing them to leverage their local expertise and network.
What is the typical check size for investments?
August Capital invests across various stages, with check sizes typically ranging from early-stage funding to larger amounts for later-stage investments, aligning with their overall fund size of $2 billion.
What is August Capital's post-investment involvement like?
August Capital is known for its active involvement with portfolio companies, providing mentorship, operational support, and follow-on investment opportunities to help ensure their success.
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