Mayfield

We partner with founders from day zero who see limitless possibilities where others see constraints. That's why we've launched 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 a newsletter from our Managing Partner, Navin Chaddha that is packed with valuable resources, expert advice, and actionable strategies to help founders navigate the challenges of building a successful company.  📩 Read the newsletter and subscribe now: https://lnkd.in/gB3rB_GZ

Pricing is the highest leverage tactic available to founders, yet the traditional "per-seat" SaaS pricing is becoming increasingly irrelevant. AI is fundamentally changing how software delivers value, and pricing models must evolve with it. AI companies should consider five core models: Platform pricing (subscription access), Seat-based (traditional approach), Consumption-based (pay per usage), Add-on features (premium capabilities), and Outcome-based (tied to results). Each aligns with different value propositions, but hybrid approaches often deliver the best results. The companies that win speak the language of ROI. Make it crystal clear how you save or make money for your customers - this makes higher price tags more palatable. Your pricing strategy should evolve with your company stage: start simple, then optimize for expansion as you grow. What pricing model works best for your AI product? Subscribe to “A Startup CEO Field Guide” newsletter by Mayfield Partner Patrick Salyer to learn more about Pricing & Packaging Pillars → https://lnkd.in/gbdBvE23 #AIStartups #SaaSPricing #StartupStrategy #RevenueTactics

We're proud to support Snowflake's mission to mobilize data and empower startup innovation. 🚀

Cal students building the future of AI: Your summer opportunity to secure a $50K stipend, expert mentorship, and tech partnership benefits closes this Friday. The Mayfield AI Garage at Berkeley is designed for student founders ready to transform their AI concepts into viable companies. What sets this program apart is our comprehensive support system. Beyond the stipend, your team will gain direct access to Mayfield's investment partners through regular office hours and personalized guidance. You'll also receive up to $350K in Microsoft Azure compute credits, benefits from NVIDIA's Inception Program, and exclusive access to Berkeley SkyDeck's Pad-13 Incubator. The Mayfield AI Garage embodies our belief that the next generation of AI innovations will come from university campuses. We've created a launchpad that meets students where they are, providing the resources, mentorship, and funding network needed to turn breakthrough ideas into transformative companies. Applications close this Friday, February 28th. Learn more and apply now at mayfield.ai/berkeley Berkeley SkyDeck, UC Berkeley College of Computing, Data Science, and Society, Microsoft for Startups, NVIDIA for Startups

Imagine a legendary VC so convinced about an AI company that they write an apology letter to their LPs before investing! That's exactly what Vinod Khosla did with investing in OpenAI at a $1 billion valuation, and in this episode of Humans in AI, he explains why. We delve into: - Redefining Humanity: Vinod paints a future where AI eliminates the need for jobs, creating an era of abundance where humans pursue passions, not just paychecks. What will drive us then? Status, mastery, and the pursuit of self-actualization. - Contrarian AI Bets: Vinod shares his bold predictions, including his early investment in OpenAI (which led to a first-ever apology letter to LPs!) and his belief that non-transformer LLM architectures will play a crucial role in AI's future. - DeepSeek's Disruption: Vinod discusses DeepSeek's impact, acknowledging both the challenges and the opportunities it presents for the US AI landscape. He emphasizes the power of creative thinking and open-source innovation. - The AI Hype Cycle: Vinod provides a balanced perspective on AI, acknowledging the current hype while emphasizing its long-term potential to accelerate economic growth and transform society. He predicts the current 2% GDP growth in the Western world could reach 5-8% because of AI. This is a conversation you won't want to miss! Tune in to hear Vinod's bold predictions, contrarian bets, and a refreshingly optimistic vision for the future of AI. Tell us about your contrarian views on AI in the comments below. 👇 #HumansInAI #AI #FutureOfWork #DeepSeek

Excited to welcome the newest #Teammate, HouseWhisper to the Mayfield Portfolio ▪️ HouseWhisper is an AI-powered operating system that’s transforming #RealEstate by automating workflows across the industry. Starting with an AI teammate for real estate agents, HouseWhisper plans to expand its suite to include solutions for transaction coordinators, loan officers, and brokerages, eventually reaching adjacent sectors like mortgage lending, servicing, and home building. ▪️Excited to partner with amazing founders who blend strong customer empathy with deep domain expertise. Team includes former Zillow executives: Luis Poggi (ex-VP of Product & Engineering), Alex Kutner (former Zillow engineering leader), and Spencer Rascoff (Zillow co-founder, former CEO, and current Match Group CEO). ▪️We’re moving into a future where every knowledge worker benefits from an AI #teammate and every industry can thrive with a #swarm of these teammates collaborating together. Patrick Salyer, Navin Chaddha, Vijay Reddy, Pioneer Square Labs (Julie Sandler, Greg Gottesman)

I witnessed something remarkable at University of California, Berkeley recently - I heard close to 30 student pitches in 60 minutes and can’t wait to see the amazing AI startups these students will create. This was the launch of the Mayfield AI Garage at Berkeley, where we're partnering with UC Berkeley College of Computing, Data Science, and Society and Berkeley SkyDeck to empower the next generation of AI entrepreneurs. With support from Microsoft for Startups and NVIDIA, we're providing students with the tools and resources they need to build groundbreaking AI solutions. Why Berkeley? Our 30+ year history with the university has shown us that some of the most transformative ideas in tech have emerged from this ecosystem. Are you a Berkeley student ready to shape the future of AI? We're accepting applications now until February 28th at mayfield.ai/berkeley. Also, a pro tip I learned from the Cal students: LinkedIn QR codes are a game-changer! 😉 Made networking so much smoother. And a big shoutout to Elaichi Co. for the delicious Indian chai that set the mood for the event! #MayfieldAIGarage #UCBerkeley #AI #Innovation #StudentFounders 

Lessons on company building from Jensen Huang? Priceless! At NVIDIA's HQ, Mayfield AI founders had the opportunity to dive deep into NVIDIA's remarkable evolution - from computer graphics into an AI platform company. A special highlight was hearing directly from Jensen Huang about this transformative journey. 🚀 Thank you to the NVIDIA for Startups team (Greg Estes, Howard Wright, Sydney Sykes, and Eleanor Haglund) for hosting us and sharing your vision for democratizing AI. We're energized to build the AI future together.

120 Seconds to Change the Future of AI. That's what we're offering AI founders pitching on the Mayfield AI Demo Stage at SaaStr Annual 2025: - 120-second demos from the most promising AI founders. - Grand Finale Showcase presentations from the top 3. - $500K-$5M investment from Mayfield for the winner. What we're looking for: - AI that elevates Humans to Superhumans. - AI solutions that usher us into the era of Collaborative Intelligence. - Founders driven to use AI to change how we work, live, and play. Apply today at https://lnkd.in/eJ4fQU_t and join us at SaaStr Annual 2025 (May 13-15, SF Bay Area) to showcase your breakthrough on the Mayfield AI Demo Stage. #SaaStr #AI #Founders #VentureCapital Watch my conversation with Jason M. Lemkin announcing the Mayfield AI Demo Stage below 👇

120 Seconds to Change the Future of AI. That's what we're offering AI founders pitching on the Mayfield AI Demo Stage at SaaStr Annual 2025: - 120-second demos from the most promising AI founders. - Grand Finale Showcase presentations from the top 3. - $500K-$5M investment from Mayfield for the winner. What we're looking for: - AI that elevates Humans to Superhumans. - AI solutions that usher us into the era of Collaborative Intelligence. - Founders driven to use AI to change how we work, live, and play. Apply today at https://lnkd.in/eJ4fQU_t and join us at SaaStr Annual 2025 (May 13-15, SF Bay Area) to showcase your breakthrough on the Mayfield AI Demo Stage. #SaaStr #AI #Founders #VentureCapital Watch my conversation with Jason M. Lemkin announcing the Mayfield AI Demo Stage below 👇