
GSV Ventures
Description
GSV Ventures is a prominent venture capital firm based in San Francisco, California, exclusively focused on the education technology (EdTech) sector. Founded by Michael Moe and Deborah Quazzo, the firm has established itself as a leading investor across the entire learning continuum, often referred to as "Pre-K to Gray." Their investment thesis centers on identifying and supporting innovative companies that are transforming education and workforce development globally, aiming to invest in the most impactful and scalable solutions.
GSV Ventures employs a flexible investment strategy, backing companies from the seed stage through late-stage growth rounds. The firm typically seeks to lead or co-lead investment rounds, demonstrating a strong commitment to its portfolio companies. With the closing of its latest fund, GSV Ventures Fund IV, at $280 million in 2023, the firm has significantly expanded its capacity to deploy capital into promising EdTech ventures. This follows their successful Fund III, which closed at $180 million in 2021, showcasing consistent growth in their investment capabilities and market presence.
For initial investments, GSV Ventures typically writes checks ranging from $5 million to $20 million, indicating a focus on companies that have achieved some level of product-market fit or are poised for significant scaling. Their portfolio includes well-known names such as Coursera, Chegg, and MasterClass, underscoring their track record of identifying and nurturing market leaders. Beyond capital, GSV Ventures leverages its deep industry expertise and extensive network, including the renowned ASU+GSV Summit, to provide strategic support and foster collaboration within the EdTech ecosystem, aiming to accelerate the growth and impact of its portfolio companies.
Investor Profile
GSV Ventures has backed more than 143 startups, with 7 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 40 rounds, about 28% of its total and boasts 25 exits across its portfolio.
Investment Focus Highlights
- Concentrates on Seed, Series A, Series B rounds (top funding stages).
- Majority of deals are located in United States, India, Finland.
- Strong thematic focus on Education, EdTech, E-Learning.
- Led 5 rounds in the past year.
- Typical check size: $5M – $20M.
Stage Focus
- Seed (38%)
- Series A (30%)
- Series B (13%)
- Series C (6%)
- Series D (4%)
- Series Unknown (3%)
- Series E (3%)
- Pre Seed (2%)
- Undisclosed (1%)
Country Focus
- United States (82%)
- India (10%)
- Finland (2%)
- Canada (1%)
- Mexico (1%)
- France (1%)
- Jordan (1%)
- Indonesia (1%)
- United Kingdom (1%)
- Romania (1%)
Industry Focus
- Education
- Edtech
- E-learning
- Software
- Information Technology
- Human Resources
- Skill Assessment
- Artificial Intelligence (Ai)
- Internet
- Higher Education
Frequently Asked Questions
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