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Burst Capital is a venture capital firm founded in 2017 and headquartered in Palo Alto, California. The firm was established by a team of former Yelp executives, including Geoff Donaker, Mike Ghaffary, Wendy Lim, and Rob Krolik, who collectively scaled Yelp from inception to a successful IPO. Burst Capital focuses on early-stage investments, primarily in the United States, and has built a diverse portfolio of 106 companies, including several unicorns.
The firm operates two fund vehicles: Burst Capital Fund I, launched in 2017, and Burst Capital Seed VC-II, which became active around 2025. While specific fund sizes are not disclosed, the firm typically invests between $100,000 and $2 million per company. Burst Capital's investment strategy emphasizes operational insights and support, helping startups navigate the complexities of scaling their businesses.
Notable milestones include backing successful companies such as Sourcegraph, Handshake, Ada, Lattice, and Newfront, all of which have achieved unicorn status. The firm’s commitment to supporting innovative startups is evident in its hands-on approach, providing practical insights into marketplace dynamics and revenue operations.
Burst Capital invests in early-stage companies, specifically targeting sectors such as SaaS, marketplaces, fintech, consumer, and healthcare. The firm primarily focuses on Seed and Series A stages, with check sizes ranging from $100,000 to $2 million. This investment strategy is designed to support startups that exhibit strong marketplace dynamics and scalability potential.
The firm emphasizes operational coaching over mere financial backing, leveraging the extensive experience of its partners who have successfully built and scaled businesses. Burst Capital seeks founders who are open to mentorship and operational insights, positioning itself as a hands-on partner in the growth journey of its portfolio companies.
Geographically, Burst Capital concentrates its investments within the United States, aligning with its expertise in navigating the local market dynamics. The firm typically co-invests rather than leads rounds, making it an ideal partner for startups looking for collaborative funding solutions.
Burst Capital's portfolio includes a diverse array of companies, with a total of 106 investments. Notable portfolio companies include:
This portfolio reflects Burst Capital's focus on software businesses with strong marketplace dynamics and scalability potential.
Geoff Donaker (General Partner, Founder) — Former COO of Yelp for 10 years, Geoff has extensive experience in scaling businesses. He previously worked at eBay and Excite and has founded two startups prior to Burst Capital, one of which had a successful exit. He is a graduate of Stanford University.
Mike Ghaffary (General Partner) — Mike has a background in venture capital with experience at Canvas Ventures, Social Capital, and Summit Partners. He served as SVP of Business Development at Yelp and was the CEO of Eat24. He co-founded Stitcher and BarMax and holds degrees from Harvard Business School, Harvard Law School, and USC.
Wendy Lim (General Partner) — Wendy led various operational functions at Yelp, including revenue operations and customer support. She has prior experience at the Bia-Echo Foundation and the University of California. Wendy is an alumna of Cal and Harvard Business School.
Rob Krolik (General Partner & CFO) — Rob served as CFO of Yelp and led its IPO in 2012. He has held CFO positions at Move.com, Shopping.com, eBay Germany, and Digital Think. He is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and is a CPA.
Michael Stoppelman (Advisor) — Michael has made over 50 startup investments as an angel, scout, and VC. He was SVP of Engineering at Yelp, where he built the engineering team from 10 to 500, and is an early Googler. He graduated from Purdue University.
Rachel Williams (Advisor) — Rachel is an HR leader and Chief Diversity Officer with experience at Motley Fool, X (the Moonshot Factory), and StubHub. She was Head of Recruiting at Yelp and Clearslide and is a graduate of UC Berkeley.
To pitch Burst Capital, founders should visit their contact page at burst.llc/contact-us. The firm does not require a formal application form, and pitches are accepted on a rolling basis. Founders should include a clear overview of their business model, market opportunity, and growth strategy in their pitch deck.
While the firm does not specify a response time, it is advisable for founders to follow up if they do not receive a timely response. Burst Capital prefers to engage with founders who are open to operational coaching and mentorship, so highlighting this aspect in the pitch can be beneficial.
In November 2025, Burst Capital participated in the seed round for Willow, a company focused on innovative solutions in its sector. The specific details of the investment were not disclosed.
In October 2025, Burst Capital also participated in the seed round for Honey Health, which raised a total of $7.8 million, led by Pelion Ventures. This investment highlights Burst Capital's commitment to supporting AI-driven solutions in healthcare.
Additionally, Burst Capital has been active in deploying capital through its second fund, Seed VC-II, which is focused on early-stage investments across its target sectors.
What are Burst Capital's investment criteria?
Burst Capital focuses on early-stage investments in sectors such as SaaS, marketplaces, fintech, consumer, and healthcare. The firm typically invests between $100,000 and $2 million in Seed and Series A rounds.
How can I pitch to Burst Capital?
Founders can pitch to Burst Capital by visiting their contact page at burst.llc/contact-us. The firm does not require a formal application form, and pitches are accepted on a rolling basis.
What makes Burst Capital different from other VCs?
Burst Capital differentiates itself through its deep operational expertise and hands-on mentorship approach. The partners have extensive experience in scaling businesses, which allows them to provide practical insights and support to portfolio companies.
What is the geographic focus of Burst Capital?
The firm primarily invests in companies based in the United States, aligning with its expertise in the local market dynamics.
What is the typical post-investment involvement of Burst Capital?
Burst Capital actively engages with its portfolio companies, offering operational coaching and insights to help them navigate growth challenges. The firm positions itself as a partner that founders can consult for operational guidance.
What types of companies does Burst Capital prefer to invest in?
Burst Capital prefers to invest in marketplace and SMB SaaS businesses that exhibit strong scalability potential and are led by founders who value operational coaching.
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