
Google Ventures
Description
GV, formerly Google Ventures, stands as the independent venture capital arm of Alphabet Inc., established in 2009. Headquartered in Mountain View, California, GV operates as a multi-stage investor, providing capital and strategic support to technology companies across seed, venture, and growth stages. Its investment thesis spans a diverse range of sectors, including artificial intelligence, life sciences, consumer products, enterprise software, and frontier technologies. The firm is renowned for its long-term investment horizon and its commitment to leveraging Alphabet's vast resources and expertise to assist portfolio companies in scaling operations, refining product strategies, and navigating complex market landscapes.
GV's investment approach extends beyond mere capital infusion. The firm offers a unique "Design Sprint" program, providing intensive, hands-on support in areas like product design, engineering, marketing, and talent acquisition. This operational assistance is a key differentiator, helping startups accelerate their development and market penetration. Over its operational history, GV has built an extensive portfolio, having made over 900 investments in companies that have gone on to achieve significant milestones, including numerous IPOs and acquisitions. Notable past investments include Uber, Slack, Nest, and One Medical, showcasing the breadth and impact of their portfolio.
The firm manages billions of dollars in capital, demonstrating its substantial financial capacity to support innovative companies. For instance, GV announced a $500 million fund in 2021, underscoring its continued commitment to deploying significant capital into promising ventures. While specific check sizes vary depending on the stage and needs of the company, GV typically writes initial checks ranging from approximately $1 million for early-stage seed rounds to upwards of $50 million for leading growth-stage investments. This flexibility allows GV to engage with companies at various points in their lifecycle, from nascent ideas to established businesses seeking to accelerate their growth trajectory.
Investor Profile
Google Ventures has backed more than 1,141 startups, with 62 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 312 rounds, about 27% of its total and boasts 247 exits across its portfolio.
Investment Focus Highlights
- Concentrates on Series A, Series B, Seed rounds (top funding stages).
- Majority of deals are located in United States, United Kingdom, Switzerland.
- Strong thematic focus on Software, Health Care, Biotechnology.
- Led 26 rounds in the past year.
- Typical check size: $1M – $50M.
Stage Focus
- Series A (23%)
- Series B (22%)
- Seed (18%)
- Series C (16%)
- Series D (8%)
- Series Unknown (6%)
- Series E (2%)
- Series F (1%)
- Pre Seed (1%)
- Angel (1%)
Country Focus
- United States (91%)
- United Kingdom (5%)
- Switzerland (1%)
- Canada (1%)
Industry Focus
- Software
- Health Care
- Biotechnology
- Artificial Intelligence (Ai)
- Saas
- Analytics
- Information Technology
- Enterprise Software
- Mobile
- Medical
Frequently Asked Questions
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