
Venrock
Description
Venrock, established in 1969 as the venture capital arm of the Rockefeller family, stands as one of the most enduring and respected venture capital firms in the United States. With a rich history spanning over five decades, the firm has consistently focused on identifying and nurturing groundbreaking companies across the technology and healthcare sectors. Headquartered in Palo Alto, California, Venrock leverages its deep industry expertise and extensive network to support entrepreneurs from their earliest stages of development, maintaining a strong presence in the innovation ecosystem.
Venrock primarily targets early-stage opportunities, including seed, Series A, and Series B rounds, demonstrating a commitment to long-term partnerships with its portfolio companies. In technology, their interests span enterprise software, artificial intelligence, machine learning, fintech, and consumer internet. Within healthcare, they actively invest in biotechnology, medical devices, and digital health solutions. The firm is known for its hands-on approach, providing strategic guidance, operational support, and access to critical resources to help founders scale their ventures effectively.
Over its history, Venrock has backed numerous iconic companies that have shaped modern industries. Its impressive portfolio includes early investments in technology giants like Apple and Intel, as well as more recent successes such as CloudFlare, Datadog, and Moderna. The firm has consistently raised substantial capital, with its most recent fund, Venrock XV, closing in 2023 with $650 million dedicated to new investments. This robust financial backing allows Venrock to make significant initial commitments, typically ranging from $1 million to $15 million for first checks, and to provide follow-on funding as companies grow. The firm has raised over $5 billion in total capital across its various funds, underscoring its enduring presence and influence in the venture capital landscape.
Investor Profile
Venrock has backed more than 828 startups, with 14 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 237 rounds, about 29% of its total and boasts 276 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 Health Care, Biotechnology, Software.
- Led 6 rounds in the past year.
- Typical check size: $1M – $15M.
Stage Focus
- Series B (22%)
- Series A (21%)
- Series C (16%)
- Series Unknown (13%)
- Seed (11%)
- Series D (8%)
- Series E (3%)
- Post Ipo Equity (2%)
- Private Equity (1%)
- Series F (1%)
Country Focus
- United States (94%)
- Israel (1%)
- Canada (1%)
- Australia (1%)
- United Kingdom (1%)
- China (1%)
Industry Focus
- Health Care
- Biotechnology
- Software
- Medical
- Information Technology
- Pharmaceutical
- Enterprise Software
- Internet
- Therapeutics
- Telecommunications
Frequently Asked Questions
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