Formation 8: A Leading Venture Capital Firm with Proven Track Record

Formation 8 is a leading venture capital firm that has made a name for itself in the industry. They were founded in 2011.

Their team has a strong background in software and technology, which gives them a unique perspective on what makes a successful startup.

They have invested in over 50 companies, including notable ones like CloudBees, Docusign, and Docuware.

Formation 8 was a venture capital firm that focused on investing in early-stage startups.

Founded in 2013, it had a short but impactful existence, raising over $1.4 billion in its first fund.

Led by Matt Murphy, the firm invested in a diverse range of companies, from software and hardware to life sciences and consumer products.

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Formation 8 was founded in 2011 by Jim Kim, Brian Koo, and Joe Lonsdale. The company's early team also included James Zhang of Softbank China Venture Capital and BioDiscovery and Tom Baruch, founder of CMEA Capital and Director of Intermolecular.

Gideon Yu, the former Facebook Chief Financial Officer, joined the firm as a special adviser. Yu is now president of the San Francisco 49ers.

Formation 8 initially aimed to close its first round fund with $200 million in 2012, but delayed until 2013 to accommodate more limited partners. The firm eventually closed its first round fund with $448 million in April 2013.

This impressive fund recorded a net internal rate of return (IRR) of 95%, making it one of the best performing funds in the industry. Its notable hits included Oculus, acquired by Facebook for $2 billion, and RelateIQ, bought by Salesforce.com for $390 million.

Fortune Magazine described the firm as "the hottest venture capital since Andreessen" in 2013.

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Formation 8 announced in 2015 that it would not raise a third fund and would begin winding down operations.

Shirish Sathaye, a longtime venture capitalist, has joined Cervin Ventures as a general partner. He was previously a general partner at Formation 8.

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Sathaye's previous investments include Nutanix, Samsung-acquired Grandis, McAfee-acquired Solidcore Systems, cybersecurity startup Vectra Networks, and data storage provider Panzura.

Sathaye has opted to leave the business of big VC for good, citing a preference for smaller funds that make better decisions. He believes that at larger funds, there are more people around the table to make decisions, which can lead to lower returns.

Startups have more access to capital than ever before, yet most companies can get off the ground with very little funding, thanks to recent innovations like Google Cloud and Amazon Web Services.

Cervin Ventures, led by GPs Preetish Nijhawan and Neeraj Gupta, invests $1 million to $2 million in early-stage startups.

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Formation 8 has made a significant number of investments, with a total of 149 investments under their belt. This impressive track record speaks to their expertise and commitment to supporting innovative companies.

Their latest investment was a notable one, as they participated in Aviatrix's Series E funding round on September 08, 2021.

Formation 8 has had a remarkable track record with 46 portfolio exits. This is a testament to their successful investments and exit strategies.

Their latest portfolio exit was Street Context, acquired by BlueMatrix on January 22, 2025. The valuation of this exit was $XXM.

Formation 8's portfolio exits are not limited to acquisitions. They also have experience with corporate majority exits, such as the OpenGov exit on February 27, 2024, where Cox Enterprises acquired the company for $XXM.

The company has also had exits with acquirers from various industries. For example, Cape Analytics was acquired by Moody's on January 13, 2025, for $XXM.

Here's a breakdown of some of their notable portfolio exits:

These exits demonstrate Formation 8's ability to identify and support successful companies, ultimately leading to profitable exits.

Formation 8 Investments is a notable player in the investment scene, having made 149 investments so far.

Their latest investment was in Aviatrix as part of their Series E on September 08, 2021.

Expert Collections are a valuable resource for investors and entrepreneurs alike. They're analyst-curated lists that highlight the companies you need to know in the most important technology spaces.

Formation 8, a notable investment firm, can be found in 2 Expert Collections, including AR/VR. This indicates that the company is a significant player in these areas.

These collections are a great way to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and innovations in the tech industry. They can also help you identify potential investment opportunities or partners.

Formation 8 is listed among 33 items in these collections, giving you a sense of the company's scale and impact.

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