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Striker Venture Partners is a venture capital firm founded in 2025 and headquartered in San Francisco, California. The firm focuses on supporting technical founders in building innovative companies from the ground up. Striker Venture Partners has a concentrated investment strategy, aiming to make approximately 10 investments per fund, which allows for deep engagement and support for each portfolio company. The firm has raised a total of $165 million for its first fund, which was announced and closed around October 2025.
Striker's investment strategy is centered on early-stage companies, particularly those in the inception phase. The firm is committed to investing in the United States, with a significant allocation of up to 50% of its fund dedicated to the Israeli market, recognizing the country's strengths in cybersecurity. This strategic focus on both AI and cybersecurity sectors positions Striker as a key player in the venture capital landscape.
Striker Venture Partners specializes in investing in the fields of artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity. The firm targets early-stage investments, specifically at the inception stage, providing funding ranging from $5 million to $30 million. This approach allows Striker to partner with founders before they have a product or revenue, fostering innovation and growth from the earliest stages of development.
The firm emphasizes a concentrated portfolio, aiming for around 10 investments per fund. This strategy enables deep board-level engagement and conviction-driven investments, allowing Striker to provide strategic guidance and support to help founders navigate the challenges of building early-stage companies. Striker's focus on technical founders aligns with its mission to back the most ambitious entrepreneurs in the AI and cybersecurity sectors.
Striker Venture Partners has a diverse portfolio that includes several notable companies:
These companies reflect Striker's commitment to investing in innovative technologies and supporting founders from the very beginning of their journeys.
Max Gazor — Founder & Partner. Max has over 14 years of experience at CRV, where he remains a board partner. He has been recognized on the Forbes Midas List for four consecutive years (2022–2025) and has raised over $7.2 billion in capital during his career. Max holds an MBA from Harvard, an MS in EECS from MIT (where he is a PhD candidate), and a BS in EECS from UC Berkeley. His prior experience includes roles in acquisitions and investments at Cisco and Oracle.
Matan Lamdan — Partner. Matan specializes in cybersecurity and leads the firm's allocation to the Israeli market. His expertise in this area is crucial for Striker's strategy, given the depth of cybersecurity talent in Israel.
Brian Zhan — Partner. Brian brings a wealth of experience in venture capital and technology investments, contributing to the firm's strategic direction.
Nikhil Suresh — Investor. Nikhil supports the investment team with research and analysis, focusing on identifying promising early-stage companies.
Aysia Marinelli — Head of Operations. Aysia oversees the operational aspects of the firm, ensuring efficient processes and support for portfolio companies.
To pitch Striker Venture Partners, founders should visit their website at striker.vc. The firm prefers pitches that include a clear overview of the technology, market opportunity, and the founding team's background. A well-structured pitch deck that outlines the business model, competitive landscape, and financial projections is essential.
Response times may vary, but founders can expect to hear back within a few weeks. Warm introductions are preferred, as they can enhance the chances of securing a meeting with the partners.
In January 2026, Striker Venture Partners announced significant funding rounds for several portfolio companies. Notable investments include Reflection AI, which raised $300 million in a Series A round at a $4 billion valuation, and Inferact, which secured $150 million at an $800 million valuation.
The firm continues to build its portfolio with a focus on early-stage investments in AI and cybersecurity, reinforcing its commitment to supporting technical founders from inception.
What are Striker Venture Partners' investment criteria?
Striker Venture Partners focuses on early-stage investments in the fields of artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity. The firm targets companies at the inception stage, providing funding ranging from $5 million to $30 million.
How can I pitch to Striker Venture Partners?
Founders interested in pitching to Striker Venture Partners can visit their website at striker.vc for more information on the application process and to submit their pitch materials.
What makes Striker Venture Partners different from other VCs?
Striker Venture Partners emphasizes a concentrated investment strategy, aiming for approximately 10 investments per fund. This allows for deep engagement with portfolio companies and conviction-driven investments, focusing on technical founders before they have a product or revenue.
What is the geographic focus of Striker Venture Partners?
The firm primarily invests in the United States, with a significant allocation of up to 50% of its fund dedicated to the Israeli market, recognizing the country's strengths in cybersecurity.
What is the typical check size for investments?
Striker Venture Partners typically invests between $5 million and $30 million in each portfolio company, focusing on early-stage funding.
What kind of support do portfolio companies receive?
Striker Venture Partners provides deep board-level engagement and strategic guidance to its portfolio companies, helping founders navigate the challenges of building early-stage businesses.
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