Lightspeed Venture Partners, a leading global venture capital firm, announced today the closing of Lightspeed Venture Partners VIII, L.P. capitalized with $800 million of limited partner commitments, above the firm’s target of $675 million.  This closing brings Lightspeed’s base of committed capital to over $2 billion. 

“We are pleased by the strong response from our limited partners,” said Barry Eggers, managing director.  “The new fund will leverage our investment platform to support the creation of industry-leading companies in the U.S. and in other regions where innovation and economic growth are creating compelling market opportunities.” 

Lightspeed has a global investment platform.  In the U.S. and Israel, Lightspeed will continue to focus on seed and early-stage companies primarily in information technology and cleantech markets.  Information technology areas of interest include Internet, software, enterprise infrastructure, communications, mobile technologies and semiconductors.  Cleantech areas of focus include energy generation, efficiency and storage.  In China and India, Lightspeed is pursuing a balanced investment program encompassing early-stage technology companies as well as growth-stage companies in a range of product and service businesses.   

“While we expect the majority of Lightspeed VIII portfolio companies to be headquartered in the U.S., Lightspeed investment professionals have been investing internationally for over 10 years, and we expect to deploy substantial capital in China, India and Israel,” observed Peter Nieh, managing director. 

The firm has an active seed program and a strong track record of working with both repeat entrepreneurs and first time CEOs to create successful companies in a variety of industry sectors.