In 2008, Google’s founders asked, “What would it look like to create a radically different kind of venture fund?” It would need to have the reliability of a single LP, the autonomy of a traditional VC, and the technical expertise of a founder. It would need access to Google’s people, products, global reputation, and the freedom to invest in direct competitors.
Launched as Google Ventures in 2009, GV originated as an independent venture capital firm for innovative founders, and today we’re formally known as GV. With Alphabet as our sole limited partner, we focus all our energy on meeting and supporting founders at every stage of company-building. Our operating partners support founding teams across executive talent, design, communications, and marketing. We also connect startups with Google and Alphabet companies, providing unique access to the world’s best technology and talent.
GV operates on long time horizons and deals in decades, not rounds. At launch, we had a $60 million capital commitment and a desire to partner with founders to move the world forward. Today, with over $10 billion in assets under management, we support 400 active portfolio companies across North America, Europe, and Israel. Our portfolio includes notable investment outcomes such as Uber, Nest, Slack, GitLab, Duo Security, Flatiron Health, Lemonade, and One Medical.
We got into venture capital for the venture (and the adventure) — to help founders take on the world’s biggest challenges, knowing that part of their preparation requires capital. But it also requires the right mindset, building the right team, developing the right product, and picking a partner for the journey with the know-how to give support and space to grow and learn.
While finding capital may be more accessible than ever, the venture part of VC is still hard. Building a company that spans generations and creates far-reaching, equitable change is still insanely hard. We hope the most reliable piece of the whole journey is the relationship with us.