Clearstone Venture Partners

Clearstone Venture Partners, founded in 1998 by Bill Elkus, is a long-standing venture capital firm based in Santa Monica, California, with an additional office in Menlo Park. The firm has established itself as an early-stage investor, primarily focusing on technology companies across various sectors including internet, software, digital media, and cloud services. Clearstone's investment philosophy centers on identifying disruptive technologies and supporting visionary entrepreneurs from their formative stages.

Over its more than two decades of operation, Clearstone has demonstrated a consistent strategy of backing innovative startups, often participating in Seed, Series A, and occasionally Series B rounds. Their approach involves providing not just capital but also strategic guidance and operational support to help portfolio companies scale. The firm has managed substantial capital, with individual funds like Clearstone Venture Partners V closing at $270 million in 2007, contributing to a total capital under management exceeding $650 million across all its funds.

Clearstone boasts a robust track record of successful investments and exits. Notable early successes include PayPal, which was acquired by eBay, and Overture, later acquired by Yahoo!. The firm also saw significant returns from companies like NetZero, MP3.com, and GoToMeeting, which was acquired by Citrix. These exits underscore Clearstone's ability to identify and nurture companies that achieve market leadership and generate substantial returns for their limited partners. Their portfolio reflects a diverse range of technology companies that have shaped various industries.