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Valor Equity Partners

North America, Illinois, United States, Chicago

Description

Valor Equity Partners is a distinguished operational growth investment firm headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, established in 1995. The firm differentiates itself through a hands-on approach, actively partnering with and providing operational expertise to high-growth companies across various stages of development. Their investment philosophy centers on identifying businesses with significant potential for scale and disruption, particularly those leveraging technology to transform industries. Valor's commitment extends beyond capital infusion, aiming to enhance portfolio companies' operational efficiency, strategic direction, and market penetration.

The firm's investment strategy spans from late-stage venture to growth equity and even select buyout opportunities, focusing on sectors such as technology, consumer, and industrials. Valor has built an impressive portfolio of market-leading companies, including iconic names like Tesla, SpaceX, and GoPuff, demonstrating their foresight in backing transformative enterprises. Their operational engagement is a key value proposition, helping founders and management teams navigate complex growth challenges and optimize their business models for long-term success.

Valor Equity Partners commands substantial capital, reflecting its capacity for significant investments. In 2021, the firm successfully closed its sixth flagship fund, Valor Equity Partners VI, L.P., raising an impressive $1.7 billion. This followed their previous fund, Valor Equity Partners V, L.P., which closed at $1.05 billion in 2017. These substantial fund sizes enable Valor to deploy considerable capital, with typical initial investment checks ranging from approximately $25 million for robust growth-stage companies to upwards of $150 million for larger, more mature opportunities or significant minority stakes.

With a deep bench of operational specialists and a proven track record of value creation, Valor Equity Partners stands as a formidable partner for ambitious companies seeking not just capital, but also strategic guidance and operational excellence. Their long-term perspective and commitment to fostering sustainable growth position them as a preferred investor for founders aiming to scale their businesses into industry leaders.

Investor Profile

Valor Equity Partners has backed more than 236 startups, with 30 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 64 rounds, about 27% of its total and boasts 15 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, Israel, Canada.
  • Strong thematic focus on Software, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Information Technology.
  • Led 6 rounds in the past year.
  • Typical check size: $25M – $150M.

Stage Focus

  • Series B (22%)
  • Series A (20%)
  • Series C (15%)
  • Seed (12%)
  • Series Unknown (11%)
  • Series D (6%)
  • Series E (4%)
  • Pre Seed (3%)
  • Private Equity (1%)
  • Series F (1%)

Country Focus

  • United States (92%)
  • Israel (3%)
  • Canada (2%)
  • Switzerland (1%)
  • United Kingdom (1%)

Industry Focus

  • Software
  • Artificial Intelligence (Ai)
  • Information Technology
  • Financial Services
  • Fintech
  • Biotechnology
  • Food And Beverage
  • Health Care
  • Manufacturing
  • Analytics
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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn who this investor regularly partners with—both firms and angels—and explore their latest activity.

Who does Valor Equity Partners frequently co-invest with?

Sequoia Capital
North America, California, United States, Menlo Park
Co-Investments: 9
General Catalyst
North America, Massachusetts, United States, Cambridge
Co-Investments: 10
8VC
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Co-Investments: 12
Atreides Management
North America, Massachusetts, United States, Boston
Co-Investments: 27
Craft Ventures
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Co-Investments: 19
Vy Capital
Asia, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Dubai
Co-Investments: 12
Andreessen Horowitz
North America, California, United States, Menlo Park
Co-Investments: 9
Alumni Ventures
North America, New Hampshire, United States, Manchester
Co-Investments: 13
Founders Fund
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Co-Investments: 24
Fidelity
North America, Massachusetts, United States, Boston
Co-Investments: 18

Which angels does Valor Equity Partners often collaborate with?

JD
North America, California, United States, Palo Alto
Shared Deals: 3
Dennis Woodside
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Shared Deals: 2
George Godula
Asia, Shanghai, China, Shanghai
Shared Deals: 2
AF
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Shared Deals: 2
David O. Sacks
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Shared Deals: 3
NR
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Shared Deals: 3
GT
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Shared Deals: 2
Shared Deals: 3
EG
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Shared Deals: 3
KL
North America, Ohio, United States, Cleveland
Shared Deals: 2

What are some of recent deals done by Valor Equity Partners?

Zipline

San Francisco, California, United States

Zipline designs, manufactures, and operates drones to deliver vital medical products.

DeliveryDronesElectric VehicleHome Health CareLogisticsRoboticsSupply Chain Management
Series UnknownJan 21, 2026
Amount Raised: $600,000,000
Defense Unicorns

Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States

Defense Unicorns is a software startup that provides open-source software and AI capabilities for national security systems.

AppsArtificial Intelligence (AI)National SecuritySoftwareSoftware Engineering
Series BJan 13, 2026
Amount Raised: $136,000,000
Terra Industries

Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria

Terra Industries develops autonomous security systems and software platforms that support the monitoring and protection of physical assets.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)Big DataCyber SecurityDronesNational Security
SeedJan 12, 2026
Amount Raised: $11,750,000
xAI

Palo Alto, California, United States

XAI is an artificial intelligence startup that develops AI solutions and tools to enhance reasoning and search capabilities.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)Foundational AIGenerative AIInformation TechnologyMachine Learning
Series EJan 6, 2026
Amount Raised: $20,000,000,000
Nirvana Insurance

San Francisco, California, United States

Nirvana Insurance offers A-rated commercial trucking insurance using telematics to enhance safety and reduce costs.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)Auto InsuranceFinancial ServicesInsuranceInsurTech
Series DDec 18, 2025
Amount Raised: $100,000,000
Castelion

Torrance, California, United States

Castelion is a defense tech company that applies modern hardware development and manufacturing processes to national security challenges.

AerospaceGovernmentManufacturingMilitaryNational Security
Series BDec 5, 2025
Amount Raised: $350,000,000
Clado

San Francisco, California, United States

Clado is a company that provides artificial intelligence solutions for business applications.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)B2BRecruitingSaaS
SeedNov 20, 2025
Amount Raised: $2,000,000
Chaos

Los Angeles, California, United States

Chaos is a defense technology company that develops advanced sensing, detection, and communication technologies for the military sectors.

AerospaceGovernmentMilitaryNational Security
Series DNov 13, 2025
Amount Raised: $510,000,000
Gopuff

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Gopuff is a digital delivery service designed to deliver daily essentials within minutes.

Delivery ServiceE-CommerceFood DeliveryMobile Apps
Series UnknownNov 13, 2025
Amount Raised: $250,000,000
Substrate

San Francisco, California, United States

Substrate plans to use particle accelerators to make chips in affordable way.

ElectronicsManufacturingSemiconductor
Series AOct 28, 2025
Amount Raised: $100,000,000

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