Jim Goetz

Seed/Early
+
Growth

“Every legendary founder started as an unknown underdog.”

Backstory

The risk-seeking part of my personality defined my early days. Accepting dares as an adolescent led to plenty of trouble with the establishment. I eventually learned to channel that spirit productively when I co-founded VitalSigns, which Sequoia eventually backed. But what really shaped my arc was mentorship. When I decided to join Sequoia rather than start another business, it was because I wanted to be mentored by others. For six months, I silently shadowed Michael, Doug, Don and Pierre Lamond to board meetings. They wanted me to see how different they all were, and encouraged me to find an approach authentic to me.

A few years in, most partners hit a period of self-doubt. The lemons have fallen from the tree, but the winners haven’t shown up yet. You think, “I suck.” The psychological elements of venture and seed keep us humble. Prospect theory, domain of gains, and endowment effect all become important considerations. It’s been a joy for me to help younger partners pull through that phase of development.

Trusting and empowering the next generation is something Don, Michael and Doug started—and I’ve been very happy to continue it. Sequoia has stood the test of time because our culture is larger than any of us; it’s not about one person’s power or economic need. You don’t see that much on Sand Hill Road or Wall Street, and I’m honored to be part of it.

On the lookout for

The collision of ambition and intelligence is the foundation. A modern business model is part of the ante. An ability to develop culture and magnet qualities for talent are wonderful soft skills. Prior success leading an organization or honing your skills at another great startup is a fantastic path to entrepreneurship.

We also look for tenacity and a growth mindset. People assume entrepreneurship is “up and to the right,” but it’s really defined by struggle and challenges. Having gone through that darkness myself, I love being on the journey with them, helping them craft their own authentic culture and being present during critical moments.

I could rattle off 10 categories we’re actively landscaping, but I’m more interested in what’s not in our landscapes.

Get in touch with Jim

Personal Side

Detroit native / Beginning biohacker / Slang enthusiast / Philanthropist / TCP/IP geek

Press & Media

Stanford GSB Lecture: Business Plans with Jim Goetz

Video

Watch

Tech Crunch Disrupt: Interview with Jim Goetz

Video

Watch

Startup School: Jan Koum and Jim Goetz

Video

Watch

Current Companies

Blue Danube
Blue Danube designs next-gen wireless solutions for mobile networks and other applications.

Current Stage
Growth
Partners
Partnered In
2013
Carbon
Carbon is transforming 3D printing through the process of light extrusion.

Current Stage
Growth
Partner
Partnered In
2013
Clari
Clari is an end-to-end sales analytics and forecasting platform for revenue teams.

Current Stage
Growth
Partner
Partnered In
2012
Dashlane
Dashlane secures users' digital identity across a wide range of platforms and devices.

Current Stage
Growth
Partners
Partnered In
2019
HalloApp
HalloApp is a secure social network based on people's personal contacts.

Current Stage
Seed
Partner
Partnered In
2020
Limbix
Limbix is a prescription digital therapeutic company creating mental health treatments for adolescents.

Current Stage
Early
Partner
Partnered In
2016
Neeva
Neeva is search reimagined—ad-free, private and deeply personal.

Current Stage
Growth
Partners
Partnered In
2019
Observable
Observable is a web-based platform for data practitioners.

Current Stage
Early
Partner
Partnered In
2016
r2C
r2C is a defensive cybersecurity automation company with an open-source static analysis tool.

Current Stage
Early
Partners
Partnered In
2017
Versa Networks
Versa Networks is an elastic network services platform.

Current Stage
Growth
Partner
Partnered In
2012

Enduring Companies

AdMob
AdMob, now part of Google, is a pay-per click marketplace for mobile apps.

Current Stage
Acquired
Partner
Partnered In
2006
Barracuda
Barracuda Networks provides security, application delivery and data protection Solutions.

Current Stage
IPO
Partner
Partnered In
2005
Drawbridge
Drawbridge is an identity resolution that helps companies connect and supercharge their data.

Current Stage
Acquired
Partner
Partnered In
2010
GitHub
GitHub is the system of record for code.

Current Stage
Acquired
Partners
Partnered In
2015
HubSpot
HubSpot builds all-in-one marketing software.

Current Stage
IPO
Partners
Partnered In
2011
Jasper
Jasper, now part of Cisco, builds cloud-based platforms for the Internet of Things.

Current Stage
Acquired
Partner
Partnered In
2005
Karma
Karma, now part of Facebook, was a mobile social gifting and commerce startup.

Current Stage
Acquired
Partner
Partnered In
2012
Metaswitch
Metaswitch, now part of Microsoft, powers voice, data and unified communications services.

Current Stage
Acquired
Partners
Partnered In
2008
Nimble Storage
Nimble Storage, now part of Hewlett-Packard, builds hardware and software for data storage.

Current Stage
IPO
Partner
Partnered In
2008
Palo Alto Networks
Palo Alto Networks is a global cybersecurity leader focused on the cloud.

Current Stage
IPO
Partners
Partnered In
2005
PeakStream
Peakstream, now part of Google, provides a software platform for High Performance Computing.

Current Stage
Acquired
Partner
Partnered In
2005
Quantenna
Quantenna manufactures next-generation low-power wireless semiconductors focused on Wi-Fi networks.

Current Stage
IPO
Partner
Partnered In
2006
Ruckus Networks
Ruckus Networks, now part of CommScope, is a pioneer in the wireless infrastructure market for high bandwidth applications and services.

Current Stage
IPO
Partner
Partnered In
2002
ThousandEyes
ThousandEyes provides network intelligence for the cloud.

Current Stage
Acquired
Partners
Partnered In
2011
WhatsApp
WhatsApp, now part of Facebook, is an end-to-end encrypted mobile messenger app.

Current Stage
Acquired
Partner
Partnered In
2011