Bow Capital

Bow Capital is a Menlo Park-based venture capital firm established with a mission to back entrepreneurs building companies that are poised to shape the future. Founded by Vivek Ranadivé, a prominent figure known for founding TIBCO Software and owning the Sacramento Kings NBA team, the firm leverages its founder's deep expertise in enterprise technology, data, and artificial intelligence. Bow Capital typically invests across various stages, from early-stage rounds like Seed and Series A to more mature growth-stage Series B and C investments, demonstrating a flexible approach to company building.

The firm's investment strategy is characterized by a hands-on approach, aiming to provide more than just capital. Bow Capital seeks to partner with founders, offering strategic guidance, operational support, and access to a robust network of industry leaders and potential customers. Their portfolio reflects a strong inclination towards sectors such as enterprise software, fintech, AI, and data analytics, areas where Ranadivé and his team possess significant domain knowledge and experience. This focused expertise allows them to identify and nurture disruptive technologies and business models.

Bow Capital has demonstrated substantial fundraising success, indicating its capacity to make meaningful investments. In 2019, the firm successfully closed its second fund, Bow Capital II, with commitments totaling $300 million. Building on this momentum, they further expanded their capital base by raising $350 million for Bow Capital III, which closed in 2022. These significant fund sizes enable Bow Capital to write substantial initial checks and also participate in follow-on rounds, supporting their portfolio companies through various growth phases.

Based on their fund sizes and investment stage focus, Bow Capital typically deploys initial checks ranging from approximately $2 million for promising early-stage opportunities to about $15 million for more established Series B or C rounds. This range allows them to be a significant partner in a diverse set of companies, from nascent startups requiring foundational capital to scaling businesses seeking to accelerate their market penetration. Their commitment to long-term partnerships underscores their role as a strategic ally for visionary entrepreneurs.