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Menlo Ventures is a prominent venture capital firm founded in 1976 by H. Dubose Montgomery, located in Menlo Park, California, with an additional office in San Francisco. The firm has established itself as one of the earliest venture capital firms in Silicon Valley, managing over $7 billion in assets and boasting a portfolio of more than 400 companies. Menlo Ventures has achieved significant milestones, including over 85 public companies, 170+ M&A exits, and 25 unicorns, solidifying its reputation in the venture capital landscape.
The firm operates a distinctive multi-fund strategy, which includes the Menlo Ventures XV, Inflection Fund, Anthology Fund, and Inception Fund. This structure allows Menlo to target various stages of investment, from pre-seed to growth equity, while focusing on transformative technology sectors. Menlo Ventures has declared itself "ALL IN on AI," emphasizing its commitment to investing in artificial intelligence and machine learning across multiple industries.
Menlo Ventures specializes in early-stage investments across a variety of sectors, with a strong emphasis on artificial intelligence and machine learning. The firm targets investments in the following sectors: AI/ML, fintech, marketplaces, SaaS, healthcare/life sciences, cybersecurity, and enterprise software. Menlo Ventures invests at various stages, including Pre Seed, Seed, Series A, Series B, and Growth Equity, with check sizes ranging from $500,000 to $40 million.
The firm’s investment thesis is centered around the belief that AI will permeate every software vertical, creating significant economic and societal value. Menlo Ventures employs a partnership approach, actively engaging with portfolio companies to drive their success. Their unique Inflection Fund specifically targets the gap between early venture and mega-growth investments, while the Anthology Fund, in partnership with Anthropic, focuses on supporting AI pioneers.
Menlo Ventures has a diverse portfolio of notable companies, including:
Shawn Carolan: Partner with extensive experience in venture capital and technology investments.
Venky Ganesan: Partner known for his expertise in enterprise technology and investments.
Matt Murphy: Partner focusing on enterprise software and SaaS investments.
Deedy Das: Partner with a strong emphasis on AI-focused investments.
JP Sanday: Partner with a background in technology and venture capital.
Amy Wu Martin: Partner specializing in consumer technology investments.
Joff Redfern: Partner and former CPO of Atlassian, bringing deep operational experience.
Tim Tully: Partner and former CTO of Splunk, providing technical insights.
Croom Beatty: Partner with a focus on early-stage investments.
Sam Borja: Investor with a background in technology startups.
Ishika Chawla: Investor with experience in venture capital.
Sabrina Lu: Investor focused on early-stage technology companies.
Matt Kraning: Partner with expertise in technology investments.
Johnny Hu, Ph.D.: Principal with a focus on AI and technology.
C.C. Gong: Principal with experience in venture capital.
Derek Xiao: Principal with a background in technology startups.
Greg Yap: Partner with a focus on technology investments.
Rama Sekhar: Partner with experience in venture capital.
Steve Sloane: Partner with a focus on technology investments.
Startups interested in pitching to Menlo Ventures should visit their contact page at menlovc.com/contact/. They recommend including a comprehensive deck that outlines the business model, market opportunity, and team background. Response times may vary, but founders are encouraged to follow up if they do not receive a timely reply.
Menlo Ventures operates several funds and initiatives to support startups:
In the last 12 months, Menlo Ventures has made 54 investments, with the most recent investment occurring on February 24, 2026. Notable recent activities include the IPO of Chime in June 2025, which achieved a market cap of $8.97 billion. Additionally, the firm has been active in supporting early-stage companies, with investments such as Flora's $42 million Series A and Higgsfield's Series A exceeding $130 million, both in January 2026.
Menlo Ventures also released its third annual "State of Generative AI in the Enterprise" report in December 2025, highlighting a significant increase in enterprise spending on generative AI, which reached $37 billion in 2025, a 3.2x year-over-year growth.
Q?
What are Menlo Ventures' investment criteria?
Menlo Ventures focuses on early-stage technology companies, particularly in sectors such as AI, fintech, and SaaS. They invest in companies at various stages, from pre-seed to growth equity, with check sizes ranging from $500K to $40M.
Q?
How can startups apply or pitch to Menlo Ventures?
Startups can pitch Menlo Ventures through their website at menlovc.com/contact/. They encourage founders to provide detailed information about their business and vision.
Q?
What makes Menlo Ventures different from other VC firms?
Menlo Ventures has a unique multi-fund strategy and a strong focus on AI, supported by deeply technical partners with operating experience. Their Inflection Fund specifically targets the gap between early venture and mega-growth investments.
Q?
What is Menlo Ventures' geographic scope?
Menlo Ventures primarily focuses on investments within North America, particularly in the United States, while selectively considering global opportunities.
Q?
What kind of post-investment involvement can founders expect?
Menlo Ventures actively engages with its portfolio companies, providing mentorship, operational support, and access to a network of industry experts to help drive growth and success.
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