Benchmark

Benchmark is a San Francisco-based venture capital firm founded in 1995 that backs technology companies from seed through growth stages. The firm focuses on software and services, mobile and social platforms, marketplaces, infrastructure, and artificial intelligence, with investments in the United States (notably the West Coast and New York), Europe, and Israel. Benchmark takes a hands-on, founder-friendly approach, often taking board seats to help portfolio companies scale and secure follow-on financing. It has a track record of backing industry leaders and notable exits, reflecting its emphasis on transformational technology companies.

Alex Balkanski

General Partner

Jason Droege

Venture Partner

Bruce Dunlevie

General Partner

Peter Fenton

General Partner

Bill Gurley

General Partner

Kevin Harvey

General Partner

Jill Jarrett

CFO

Robert Kagle

Owner and General Partner

Mitch Lasky JD

Partner

Victor Lazarte

General Partner

Victor Lazarte

General Partner

Arad Naveh

Partner

Chetan Puttagunta

General Partner

Steven Spurlock JD

Operating Partner

Sarah Tavel

General Partner

Eric Vishria

General Partner

Past deals in Messaging

Here Not There Labs

Series B in 2025
Here Not There Labs is a web3-focused software company building Towns, a blockchain-based messaging protocol and web app for online communities. The Towns platform enables self-owned and self-governed conversations by running on an on-chain protocol, designed to connect the right people at the right time to discuss topics and minimize meetings. The product aims to improve collaboration by linking conversations about work and facilitating decentralized, topic-centered discussions. The company is led by CEO Ben Rubin and comprises web3 creators who build decentralized communication tools for communities.

Here Not There Labs

Series A in 2024
Here Not There Labs is a web3-focused software company building Towns, a blockchain-based messaging protocol and web app for online communities. The Towns platform enables self-owned and self-governed conversations by running on an on-chain protocol, designed to connect the right people at the right time to discuss topics and minimize meetings. The product aims to improve collaboration by linking conversations about work and facilitating decentralized, topic-centered discussions. The company is led by CEO Ben Rubin and comprises web3 creators who build decentralized communication tools for communities.

Here Not There Labs

Venture Round in 2022
Here Not There Labs is a web3-focused software company building Towns, a blockchain-based messaging protocol and web app for online communities. The Towns platform enables self-owned and self-governed conversations by running on an on-chain protocol, designed to connect the right people at the right time to discuss topics and minimize meetings. The product aims to improve collaboration by linking conversations about work and facilitating decentralized, topic-centered discussions. The company is led by CEO Ben Rubin and comprises web3 creators who build decentralized communication tools for communities.

TTYL

Series A in 2021
TTYL is the audio social network, where hanging out with your closest friends is as easy as throwing on headphones. See who's free to talk and jump into conversations with up to 8 of your best friends. If you're the first one online, just background the app and let them jump in your ears!

Discord

Series E in 2018
Discord operates as a communication platform offering voice, video, and text services for users to interact with friends and communities. Originally created for gamers, it has since expanded its user base to include various groups such as art communities, study groups, and local clubs.

Stitch Health

Series A in 2017
Stitch Health is a patient engagement platform based in San Francisco, California, focused on enhancing patient experiences within the healthcare system. The company provides a comprehensive care coordination platform that facilitates communication and collaboration among healthcare teams, including doctors, nurses, social workers, and pharmacists. By offering tools for team communication, patient engagement, and management, Stitch Health aims to streamline interactions and replace outdated methods such as pagers, phone calls, and email, ensuring more efficient coordination of care. Through its innovative solutions, Stitch Health seeks to improve the quality of healthcare delivery for both providers and patients.

Discord

Series D in 2017
Discord operates as a communication platform offering voice, video, and text services for users to interact with friends and communities. Originally created for gamers, it has since expanded its user base to include various groups such as art communities, study groups, and local clubs.

Marco Polo

Series B in 2016
Marco Polo is a technology company that develops a video communication application. Its primary business is creating user-friendly software that facilitates high-quality video calls, mimicking the ease of text messaging for both individual and group conversations. The platform aims to strengthen bonds among friends and family by providing a convenient means to stay connected visually.

Zenly

Series B in 2016
Zenly is a technology company that develops a free, real-time location-sharing smartphone application, available on iOS and Android platforms. It enables users to see where their friends and family are on a private, interactive map, simplifying coordination and communication among social circles. The app also offers an in-app messaging feature to facilitate social interaction alongside location sharing.

Discord

Series C in 2016
Discord operates as a communication platform offering voice, video, and text services for users to interact with friends and communities. Originally created for gamers, it has since expanded its user base to include various groups such as art communities, study groups, and local clubs.

Discord

Series B in 2015
Discord operates as a communication platform offering voice, video, and text services for users to interact with friends and communities. Originally created for gamers, it has since expanded its user base to include various groups such as art communities, study groups, and local clubs.

Highlight

Series A in 2013
Highlight is a mobile application designed to facilitate social connections among users in their vicinity. The app notifies users when they are in close proximity to others who share mutual friends or interests on Facebook, allowing for potential interactions. Users receive push notifications when they come within a few blocks of these individuals, enabling them to message each other. The app's homescreen features a reverse chronological list of people the user has encountered, enhancing the experience of discovering and engaging with nearby acquaintances. Highlight aims to foster a sense of community and connection in urban environments by leveraging social media networks.

Discord

Series A in 2013
Discord operates as a communication platform offering voice, video, and text services for users to interact with friends and communities. Originally created for gamers, it has since expanded its user base to include various groups such as art communities, study groups, and local clubs.

Snap

Series B in 2013
Snap Inc. is a United States technology and social media company best known for Snapchat, a multimedia messaging app that enables users to send ephemeral photos and videos, share Stories, and access augmented reality features. The company also offers Camera, Chat, Memories, Discover, and Snap Map to enhance communication and content discovery, and has produced Spectacles, a line of wearable camera hardware. Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Snap Inc. was founded in 2010 and focuses on camera-based experiences that blend messaging, AR effects, and interactive media for a global audience.

Snap

Series A in 2013
Snap Inc. is a United States technology and social media company best known for Snapchat, a multimedia messaging app that enables users to send ephemeral photos and videos, share Stories, and access augmented reality features. The company also offers Camera, Chat, Memories, Discover, and Snap Map to enhance communication and content discovery, and has produced Spectacles, a line of wearable camera hardware. Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Snap Inc. was founded in 2010 and focuses on camera-based experiences that blend messaging, AR effects, and interactive media for a global audience.

Biba

Series A in 2013
Biba Systems, Inc. is a mobile-first business application provider based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2011. The company specializes in offering a comprehensive platform for conference calling and messaging services, enabling seamless communication for businesses. Biba's integrated application allows users to connect instantly with their teams, facilitating online meetings, video calls, screen-sharing, and business chats across various devices and organizations. By addressing common communication challenges, Biba aims to enhance collaboration and efficiency in the workplace. As of December 31, 2015, Biba operates as a subsidiary of Amazon.com, Inc.

Highlight

Seed Round in 2012
Highlight is a mobile application designed to facilitate social connections among users in their vicinity. The app notifies users when they are in close proximity to others who share mutual friends or interests on Facebook, allowing for potential interactions. Users receive push notifications when they come within a few blocks of these individuals, enabling them to message each other. The app's homescreen features a reverse chronological list of people the user has encountered, enhancing the experience of discovering and engaging with nearby acquaintances. Highlight aims to foster a sense of community and connection in urban environments by leveraging social media networks.

Vivox

Series C in 2010
Vivox, Inc. is a communication technology company based in Natick, Massachusetts, specializing in voice and messaging applications tailored for online gaming and social networking environments. Founded in 2003, Vivox provides an integrated voice platform that allows users to communicate seamlessly while engaging in games or social interactions. Its flagship offerings include C3, which grants control and access for publishers and studios, and Integrated Voice, facilitating real-time communication among players. The company partners with game and social publishers to enhance user engagement through voice services, while also generating revenue through audio advertisements and virtual goods. With over 45 million users across more than 200 countries, Vivox enables the exchange of over three billion voice chat minutes monthly, fostering natural and immersive interactions in digital spaces. Vivox operates as a subsidiary of Unity Technologies, enhancing its reach and capabilities in the gaming industry.

Vivox

Series B in 2007
Vivox, Inc. is a communication technology company based in Natick, Massachusetts, specializing in voice and messaging applications tailored for online gaming and social networking environments. Founded in 2003, Vivox provides an integrated voice platform that allows users to communicate seamlessly while engaging in games or social interactions. Its flagship offerings include C3, which grants control and access for publishers and studios, and Integrated Voice, facilitating real-time communication among players. The company partners with game and social publishers to enhance user engagement through voice services, while also generating revenue through audio advertisements and virtual goods. With over 45 million users across more than 200 countries, Vivox enables the exchange of over three billion voice chat minutes monthly, fostering natural and immersive interactions in digital spaces. Vivox operates as a subsidiary of Unity Technologies, enhancing its reach and capabilities in the gaming industry.

Lango

Series A in 2007
Lango, an Israel-based developer of an icon-based language for Web and mobile messaging.

Rebtel

Series A in 2006
Rebtel is a Stockholm-based technology company that aims to address communication, work, and banking challenges faced by migrants crossing borders. Led by experienced management from Kinnevik group companies, Rebtel offers innovative solutions through its platform for communication, money transfer, and independent work programs. With around 85 high-performing employees from over 35 nationalities, Rebtel is a profitable company known for its disruptive approach to technology.

HeyWire

Series D in 2004
HeyWire is a company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, that specializes in providing a LiveText messaging channel, catering to the communication needs of modern customers and businesses. It offers award-winning solutions that integrate with Salesforce, allowing companies to enhance customer satisfaction and reduce operational costs by enabling conversational text messaging through existing phone numbers. HeyWire's full-stack messaging cloud solution supports various mobile messaging formats, including SMS, and has successfully delivered over 8 billion messages to date. By facilitating seamless connections between consumers and brands, HeyWire empowers businesses to engage with customers effectively across multiple platforms, including SMS, Facebook, Twitter, and other instant messaging services.

HeyWire

Series C in 2002
HeyWire is a company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, that specializes in providing a LiveText messaging channel, catering to the communication needs of modern customers and businesses. It offers award-winning solutions that integrate with Salesforce, allowing companies to enhance customer satisfaction and reduce operational costs by enabling conversational text messaging through existing phone numbers. HeyWire's full-stack messaging cloud solution supports various mobile messaging formats, including SMS, and has successfully delivered over 8 billion messages to date. By facilitating seamless connections between consumers and brands, HeyWire empowers businesses to engage with customers effectively across multiple platforms, including SMS, Facebook, Twitter, and other instant messaging services.

HeyWire

Series B in 2001
HeyWire is a company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, that specializes in providing a LiveText messaging channel, catering to the communication needs of modern customers and businesses. It offers award-winning solutions that integrate with Salesforce, allowing companies to enhance customer satisfaction and reduce operational costs by enabling conversational text messaging through existing phone numbers. HeyWire's full-stack messaging cloud solution supports various mobile messaging formats, including SMS, and has successfully delivered over 8 billion messages to date. By facilitating seamless connections between consumers and brands, HeyWire empowers businesses to engage with customers effectively across multiple platforms, including SMS, Facebook, Twitter, and other instant messaging services.

Critical Path

Series B in 1999
Critical Path, acquired by Openwave Messaging in December 2013, provides consumer and enterprise solutions for online and mobile communication. Its portfolio includes web and mobile messaging, social media messaging, security, and archiving services. The company owns the award‑winning ShoZu service, which connects millions of users to social sites and feeds. Critical Path’s Memova suite is adopted by leading service providers and enterprises worldwide to enable large numbers of people to communicate, connect, share, and organize while ensuring safety and assurance. With global offices, the firm supports deployments of Memova solutions to increase revenue, enhance loyalty, streamline operations, and reduce costs. In November 2010 it merged with Mirapoint, a global leader in mail‑server appliances, creating an integrated offering of email security, archiving, and mailbox appliances that serves more than 120 million mailboxes for enterprises, service providers, educational institutions, and government entities.

Critical Path

Series A in 1998
Critical Path, acquired by Openwave Messaging in December 2013, provides consumer and enterprise solutions for online and mobile communication. Its portfolio includes web and mobile messaging, social media messaging, security, and archiving services. The company owns the award‑winning ShoZu service, which connects millions of users to social sites and feeds. Critical Path’s Memova suite is adopted by leading service providers and enterprises worldwide to enable large numbers of people to communicate, connect, share, and organize while ensuring safety and assurance. With global offices, the firm supports deployments of Memova solutions to increase revenue, enhance loyalty, streamline operations, and reduce costs. In November 2010 it merged with Mirapoint, a global leader in mail‑server appliances, creating an integrated offering of email security, archiving, and mailbox appliances that serves more than 120 million mailboxes for enterprises, service providers, educational institutions, and government entities.
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