
Spark Capital
Description
Spark Capital is a prominent multi-stage venture capital firm based in San Francisco, United States, with additional offices in Boston and New York. Established in 2005, the firm has built a reputation for identifying and backing transformative companies across various sectors, including consumer, commerce, FinTech, software, frontier technology, and media. Known for its founder-friendly approach, Spark Capital partners with entrepreneurs from the earliest stages of their journey, providing not just capital but also strategic guidance and operational support.
The firm employs a flexible investment strategy, deploying capital across seed, early-stage (Series A/B), and growth-stage rounds. Spark Capital is particularly active in leading early-stage investments, often being the first institutional investor in promising startups. While their initial check sizes can vary significantly based on the stage and needs of the company, they typically range from as little as $500,000 for a seed round to upwards of $50 million for a substantial growth equity investment. This broad range allows them to support companies from inception through significant scaling.
Spark Capital boasts an impressive portfolio of companies that have gone on to achieve significant market success and often redefine their respective industries. Notable past investments include social media giants like Twitter and Tumblr, e-commerce innovators such as Warby Parker and Wayfair, and leading fintech platforms like Plaid and Affirm. The firm manages several funds, including dedicated early-stage and growth funds, with reported assets under management often exceeding $3 billion. Their long-term commitment to portfolio companies and deep industry expertise have cemented their position as a key player in the venture capital ecosystem.
Investor Profile
Spark Capital has backed more than 563 startups, with 34 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 278 rounds, about 49% of its total and boasts 101 exits across its portfolio.
Investment Focus Highlights
- Concentrates on Series B, Series A, Series C rounds (top funding stages).
- Majority of deals are located in United States, Germany, United Kingdom.
- Strong thematic focus on Software, FinTech, Financial Services.
- Led 18 rounds in the past year.
- Typical check size: $500K – $50M.
Stage Focus
- Series B (25%)
- Series A (24%)
- Series C (14%)
- Seed (13%)
- Series D (8%)
- Series Unknown (7%)
- Series E (4%)
- Series F (2%)
- Debt Financing (1%)
- Pre Seed (1%)
Country Focus
- United States (85%)
- Germany (3%)
- United Kingdom (3%)
- Israel (2%)
- Canada (2%)
- Spain (1%)
- France (1%)
- Australia (1%)
- Brazil (1%)
- Singapore (1%)
Industry Focus
- Software
- Fintech
- Financial Services
- Artificial Intelligence (Ai)
- Saas
- Internet
- Information Technology
- Finance
- E-commerce
- Health Care
Frequently Asked Questions
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