DFJ

DFJ, established in 1985 and based in Silicon Valley, is a venture capital firm that specializes in providing growth capital to technology companies. With a focus on partnering with visionary entrepreneurs, DFJ aims to invest in businesses that are rapidly scaling and poised for market leadership. The firm emphasizes a high-conviction investment strategy, targeting innovative companies across consumer, enterprise, and healthcare technology sectors. DFJ Growth, a later-stage investing practice within the firm, seeks to support extraordinary entrepreneurs as they create iconic technology-driven businesses. Through its investment approach, DFJ facilitates access to valuable networks and resources that can help transform entrepreneurial visions into reality.

Brian Akin

Associate

Chirag Chotalia

Partner

Rob Ciechowski

Associate

John Fisher

Co-Founder and Partner

Sam Fort

Partner

Randy Glein

Partner and Managing Director

Justin Kao

Partner

Megan Kelly

Principal

Jocelyn Kinsey

Partner

Vineet Mehta

Principal

Bubba Murarka

Partner

Sandesh Patnam

Venture Partner

Chris Shanahan

Principal

Sam Shapiro

Principal

Li Songbo

Partner

Josh Stein

Co-Founder and Managing Partner

Kevin Tu

Principal

Past deals in Geospatial

Mapbox

Series C in 2017
Mapbox Inc. operates a comprehensive mapping platform that specializes in creating custom maps for mobile and web applications. Founded in 2010 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., the company supports over 2.6 million registered developers, offering tools such as APIs, SDKs, and live-updating map data. Its platform enables various industries, including logistics, real estate, agriculture, and finance, to analyze data, visualize properties, and enhance asset tracking. Mapbox's services include turn-by-turn navigation, location search, and data analysis, catering to a diverse range of clients like Facebook, IBM, and Instacart. By utilizing a living map that continuously learns from user activity, Mapbox ensures that developers have access to the most current geospatial information worldwide. The company also has operations in Japan, further extending its global reach.

Giphy

Series D in 2016
Giphy, Inc. is an online platform that operates a search engine for users to search, share, and discover animated GIFs across various categories, including emotions, food, animals, and entertainment. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in New York, Giphy organizes GIFs to enhance user experience and facilitates sharing through social media channels. The platform not only allows users to upload their own GIFs but also collaborates with brands and artists to create original content. Giphy aims to evolve beyond a simple search engine into a community that caters to GIF enthusiasts and creators, fostering engagement and creativity within the realm of animated visual communication. As of May 2020, Giphy operates as a subsidiary of Instagram, LLC.

Foursquare

Series E in 2016
Foursquare Labs, Inc. is a location technology platform that offers a variety of business solutions and consumer products centered around location intelligence. The company provides tools such as Pinpoint for data-driven media planning, Placed for offline attribution, and the Pilgrim SDK, which enables real-time location awareness in mobile applications. Additionally, Foursquare offers the Places API for accessing detailed data on commercial locations and analytics services that deliver insights into consumer behavior. Its consumer applications, Foursquare and Swarm, allow users to track and share their visited locations. Founded in 2009 and headquartered in New York City, Foursquare also operates offices in San Francisco, London, and Chicago, focusing on helping brands connect with targeted audiences and measure the effectiveness of advertising campaigns.

Mapbox

Series B in 2015
Mapbox Inc. operates a comprehensive mapping platform that specializes in creating custom maps for mobile and web applications. Founded in 2010 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., the company supports over 2.6 million registered developers, offering tools such as APIs, SDKs, and live-updating map data. Its platform enables various industries, including logistics, real estate, agriculture, and finance, to analyze data, visualize properties, and enhance asset tracking. Mapbox's services include turn-by-turn navigation, location search, and data analysis, catering to a diverse range of clients like Facebook, IBM, and Instacart. By utilizing a living map that continuously learns from user activity, Mapbox ensures that developers have access to the most current geospatial information worldwide. The company also has operations in Japan, further extending its global reach.

Planet

Series C in 2015
Planet Labs, Inc. is a San Francisco-based company specializing in Earth imaging and analytics. Founded by former NASA employees in 2010, Planet operates the largest fleet of compact, high-capability satellites designed to image the entire planet daily. This extensive satellite coverage provides customers with unprecedented access to geospatial insights, enabling them to make informed decisions based on real-time data. Planet's offerings include a diverse range of satellite imagery and analytical solutions, all accessible through an online platform equipped with tools for data analysis. With additional offices in Germany and Canada, the company serves a global network of customers and partners across more than 100 countries, delivering market-leading geospatial imagery for businesses, governments, researchers, and journalists. Planet's mission is to make visible and actionable the changes occurring on Earth, providing crucial information to understand the physical world.

Foursquare

Series D in 2013
Foursquare Labs, Inc. is a location technology platform that offers a variety of business solutions and consumer products centered around location intelligence. The company provides tools such as Pinpoint for data-driven media planning, Placed for offline attribution, and the Pilgrim SDK, which enables real-time location awareness in mobile applications. Additionally, Foursquare offers the Places API for accessing detailed data on commercial locations and analytics services that deliver insights into consumer behavior. Its consumer applications, Foursquare and Swarm, allow users to track and share their visited locations. Founded in 2009 and headquartered in New York City, Foursquare also operates offices in San Francisco, London, and Chicago, focusing on helping brands connect with targeted audiences and measure the effectiveness of advertising campaigns.

Planet

Series B in 2013
Planet Labs, Inc. is a San Francisco-based company specializing in Earth imaging and analytics. Founded by former NASA employees in 2010, Planet operates the largest fleet of compact, high-capability satellites designed to image the entire planet daily. This extensive satellite coverage provides customers with unprecedented access to geospatial insights, enabling them to make informed decisions based on real-time data. Planet's offerings include a diverse range of satellite imagery and analytical solutions, all accessible through an online platform equipped with tools for data analysis. With additional offices in Germany and Canada, the company serves a global network of customers and partners across more than 100 countries, delivering market-leading geospatial imagery for businesses, governments, researchers, and journalists. Planet's mission is to make visible and actionable the changes occurring on Earth, providing crucial information to understand the physical world.

Planet

Series A in 2013
Planet Labs, Inc. is a San Francisco-based company specializing in Earth imaging and analytics. Founded by former NASA employees in 2010, Planet operates the largest fleet of compact, high-capability satellites designed to image the entire planet daily. This extensive satellite coverage provides customers with unprecedented access to geospatial insights, enabling them to make informed decisions based on real-time data. Planet's offerings include a diverse range of satellite imagery and analytical solutions, all accessible through an online platform equipped with tools for data analysis. With additional offices in Germany and Canada, the company serves a global network of customers and partners across more than 100 countries, delivering market-leading geospatial imagery for businesses, governments, researchers, and journalists. Planet's mission is to make visible and actionable the changes occurring on Earth, providing crucial information to understand the physical world.

Spiral Genetics

Series A in 2013
Spiral Genetics, Inc. is a genomic bioinformatics company that specializes in developing advanced analysis software for detecting structural variants from next-generation sequencing data. Founded in 2009 and based in Seattle, Washington, the company focuses on providing tools that support medical, pharmaceutical, and agricultural research. Its flagship product, the BioGraph Suite, is an indexed graph-based platform designed for genomic data management and analysis. Additionally, Spiral Genetics offers Anchored Assembly, a method that accurately detects single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), insertions, deletions, and structural variants ranging from 10bp to 100kbp, utilizing existing sequencing data from platforms like HiSeq and MiSeq. This software reduces computational complexity by concentrating on non-reference sequence regions and employs a unique read overlap graph for variant detection. Spiral Genetics operates as a subsidiary of Omicia, Inc. and continues to enhance its offerings for effective DNA data analysis.

Pentalum

Series C in 2013
Pentalum develops the SpiDAR: a revolutionary, cost effective, patent pending, wind LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) system, for remote sensing of wind. The system targets all three main wind farm applications: Wind resource assessment, Wind farm operation optimization and Wind forecasting. Pentalum is a privately held company, funded by VCs and headed by highly experienced entrepreneurs, professionals in optics, fluid mechanics and atmospheric remote sensing. Pentalum Technologies Inc. was incorporated in 2009 and is based in Rehovot, Israel.

Pentalum

Venture Round in 2012
Pentalum develops the SpiDAR: a revolutionary, cost effective, patent pending, wind LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) system, for remote sensing of wind. The system targets all three main wind farm applications: Wind resource assessment, Wind farm operation optimization and Wind forecasting. Pentalum is a privately held company, funded by VCs and headed by highly experienced entrepreneurs, professionals in optics, fluid mechanics and atmospheric remote sensing. Pentalum Technologies Inc. was incorporated in 2009 and is based in Rehovot, Israel.

Pentalum

Series A in 2010
Pentalum develops the SpiDAR: a revolutionary, cost effective, patent pending, wind LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) system, for remote sensing of wind. The system targets all three main wind farm applications: Wind resource assessment, Wind farm operation optimization and Wind forecasting. Pentalum is a privately held company, funded by VCs and headed by highly experienced entrepreneurs, professionals in optics, fluid mechanics and atmospheric remote sensing. Pentalum Technologies Inc. was incorporated in 2009 and is based in Rehovot, Israel.

Pentalum

Series A in 2010
Pentalum develops the SpiDAR: a revolutionary, cost effective, patent pending, wind LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) system, for remote sensing of wind. The system targets all three main wind farm applications: Wind resource assessment, Wind farm operation optimization and Wind forecasting. Pentalum is a privately held company, funded by VCs and headed by highly experienced entrepreneurs, professionals in optics, fluid mechanics and atmospheric remote sensing. Pentalum Technologies Inc. was incorporated in 2009 and is based in Rehovot, Israel.

EveryScape

Series C in 2010
EveryScape, Inc. is a company that operates an online platform specializing in the creation, production, and distribution of panoramic content, showcasing cities, streets, and buildings worldwide. The company offers a variety of tools, including the Reality Editor, which allows users to create 3D models from panoramic images, and ScapeStudio, a SaaS platform for crafting advertising with stitched panoramas. EveryScape also provides mobile applications such as UScape.it, enabling users to capture and share 360-degree panoramas of their experiences, and ScapeFolio, which allows business owners to virtually explore properties using a touchscreen interface. Additionally, the EveryScape EATS! app serves as a visual dining guide for several major U.S. cities. Founded in 2002 and based in Newton, Massachusetts, EveryScape was previously known as Mok3, Inc. before rebranding in 2007.

Siimpel Corporation

Series D in 2008
Siimpel Corporation, founded in 2000 as SiWave, specializes in the development of high-precision MEMS sensors and optical technologies. Originating from expertise at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the company has established itself as a leader in innovation. Siimpel has achieved significant milestones, including the creation of the smallest high port count optical switches and the world's first MEMS horizon sensor. The company has also developed advanced laser ranging systems and compact MEMS components for NASA's Mars rovers. Since 2004, Siimpel has focused on applying its MEMS platform technology to significantly reduce the size of high-performance digital cameras, setting new benchmarks for both size and functionality in mobile devices. Recognized for its groundbreaking contributions, Siimpel has received prestigious awards, including the Advanced Technology Program award from the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

SkyGrid

Series B in 2008
SkyGrid is a real-time web service that keeps people up-to-date on the things they care about. It is located in Sunnyvale, California and is operated and privately owned by SkyGrid, Inc. In April 2010, SkyGrid launched on the Apple iPad with an application to browse and share streams of news. People use SkyGrid to receive updates on trending news and to follow their personal interests. SkyGrid's name comes from the combining the word "Sky" representing a vast limitless space and "Grid" a simple way to organize an unlimited amount of information. SkyGrid was founded by Kevin Pomplun, in 2005 when he was 22 years old. SkyGrid began building technology to create a way for people to see what information was traveling the fastest. As a result of this, Pomplun invented Information Velocity and was issued a United States Patent Aug 23, 2007. SkyGrid began as a real-time search service, then licensed it to the financial market, and now has returned to its original use to provide updates on information people are interested in. In January 2011, SkyGrid announced the launch of SkyGrid Groups; a service that connects people with the music artists, brands, and public figures they are passionate about. Groups is a new social forum; connecting the conversations people are having all over the web — on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and hundreds of other places — in one place. For ex, music artists use Groups to connect with fans who are excited about an upcoming show. Brands use Groups to connect with customers who are excited about a new product. Public figures use Groups to connect with voters who are excited about akey issue in their community. Even humanitarian causes are now using Groups to connect with people who want to help.

EveryScape

Series B in 2008
EveryScape, Inc. is a company that operates an online platform specializing in the creation, production, and distribution of panoramic content, showcasing cities, streets, and buildings worldwide. The company offers a variety of tools, including the Reality Editor, which allows users to create 3D models from panoramic images, and ScapeStudio, a SaaS platform for crafting advertising with stitched panoramas. EveryScape also provides mobile applications such as UScape.it, enabling users to capture and share 360-degree panoramas of their experiences, and ScapeFolio, which allows business owners to virtually explore properties using a touchscreen interface. Additionally, the EveryScape EATS! app serves as a visual dining guide for several major U.S. cities. Founded in 2002 and based in Newton, Massachusetts, EveryScape was previously known as Mok3, Inc. before rebranding in 2007.

Siimpel Corporation

Series D in 2007
Siimpel Corporation, founded in 2000 as SiWave, specializes in the development of high-precision MEMS sensors and optical technologies. Originating from expertise at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the company has established itself as a leader in innovation. Siimpel has achieved significant milestones, including the creation of the smallest high port count optical switches and the world's first MEMS horizon sensor. The company has also developed advanced laser ranging systems and compact MEMS components for NASA's Mars rovers. Since 2004, Siimpel has focused on applying its MEMS platform technology to significantly reduce the size of high-performance digital cameras, setting new benchmarks for both size and functionality in mobile devices. Recognized for its groundbreaking contributions, Siimpel has received prestigious awards, including the Advanced Technology Program award from the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

Groxis

Series B in 2006
Groxis develops visual search technology and graphical information interface solutions. The company develops and markets Grokker, a Web-based enterprise search management platform that leverages federated content access and visualization for enterprises, universities, content publishers, libraries, and other research-intensive organizations. The company was founded in 2001 and is based in San Francisco, California.

SkyGrid

Series A in 2006
SkyGrid is a real-time web service that keeps people up-to-date on the things they care about. It is located in Sunnyvale, California and is operated and privately owned by SkyGrid, Inc. In April 2010, SkyGrid launched on the Apple iPad with an application to browse and share streams of news. People use SkyGrid to receive updates on trending news and to follow their personal interests. SkyGrid's name comes from the combining the word "Sky" representing a vast limitless space and "Grid" a simple way to organize an unlimited amount of information. SkyGrid was founded by Kevin Pomplun, in 2005 when he was 22 years old. SkyGrid began building technology to create a way for people to see what information was traveling the fastest. As a result of this, Pomplun invented Information Velocity and was issued a United States Patent Aug 23, 2007. SkyGrid began as a real-time search service, then licensed it to the financial market, and now has returned to its original use to provide updates on information people are interested in. In January 2011, SkyGrid announced the launch of SkyGrid Groups; a service that connects people with the music artists, brands, and public figures they are passionate about. Groups is a new social forum; connecting the conversations people are having all over the web — on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and hundreds of other places — in one place. For ex, music artists use Groups to connect with fans who are excited about an upcoming show. Brands use Groups to connect with customers who are excited about a new product. Public figures use Groups to connect with voters who are excited about akey issue in their community. Even humanitarian causes are now using Groups to connect with people who want to help.

Siimpel Corporation

Series C in 2005
Siimpel Corporation, founded in 2000 as SiWave, specializes in the development of high-precision MEMS sensors and optical technologies. Originating from expertise at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the company has established itself as a leader in innovation. Siimpel has achieved significant milestones, including the creation of the smallest high port count optical switches and the world's first MEMS horizon sensor. The company has also developed advanced laser ranging systems and compact MEMS components for NASA's Mars rovers. Since 2004, Siimpel has focused on applying its MEMS platform technology to significantly reduce the size of high-performance digital cameras, setting new benchmarks for both size and functionality in mobile devices. Recognized for its groundbreaking contributions, Siimpel has received prestigious awards, including the Advanced Technology Program award from the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

EveryScape

Series A in 2005
EveryScape, Inc. is a company that operates an online platform specializing in the creation, production, and distribution of panoramic content, showcasing cities, streets, and buildings worldwide. The company offers a variety of tools, including the Reality Editor, which allows users to create 3D models from panoramic images, and ScapeStudio, a SaaS platform for crafting advertising with stitched panoramas. EveryScape also provides mobile applications such as UScape.it, enabling users to capture and share 360-degree panoramas of their experiences, and ScapeFolio, which allows business owners to virtually explore properties using a touchscreen interface. Additionally, the EveryScape EATS! app serves as a visual dining guide for several major U.S. cities. Founded in 2002 and based in Newton, Massachusetts, EveryScape was previously known as Mok3, Inc. before rebranding in 2007.

Siimpel Corporation

Series B in 2004
Siimpel Corporation, founded in 2000 as SiWave, specializes in the development of high-precision MEMS sensors and optical technologies. Originating from expertise at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the company has established itself as a leader in innovation. Siimpel has achieved significant milestones, including the creation of the smallest high port count optical switches and the world's first MEMS horizon sensor. The company has also developed advanced laser ranging systems and compact MEMS components for NASA's Mars rovers. Since 2004, Siimpel has focused on applying its MEMS platform technology to significantly reduce the size of high-performance digital cameras, setting new benchmarks for both size and functionality in mobile devices. Recognized for its groundbreaking contributions, Siimpel has received prestigious awards, including the Advanced Technology Program award from the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

Groxis

Venture Round in 2004
Groxis develops visual search technology and graphical information interface solutions. The company develops and markets Grokker, a Web-based enterprise search management platform that leverages federated content access and visualization for enterprises, universities, content publishers, libraries, and other research-intensive organizations. The company was founded in 2001 and is based in San Francisco, California.

Polaris Wireless

Series B in 2004
Polaris Wireless, Inc. specializes in software-based 3D location solutions for wireless operators, law enforcement, government agencies, and location-based application companies. Established in 1999 and headquartered in Mountain View, California, with additional offices in Zug, Switzerland, and Singapore, the company offers a cloud-based 3D Location Platform that accurately locates mobile devices in real-time, regardless of network type or environment, including indoors. Its OmniLocate solution enhances integration and accelerates time-to-market for applications requiring precise location services. Polaris Wireless has earned recognition in the industry, including the Mobility Award for Mobile Software Indoor Positioning Systems at the 2017 Consumer Electronics Show. The company also actively engages in industry standards and forums, contributing to advancements in indoor and vertical location technologies.

Siimpel Corporation

Series A in 2003
Siimpel Corporation, founded in 2000 as SiWave, specializes in the development of high-precision MEMS sensors and optical technologies. Originating from expertise at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the company has established itself as a leader in innovation. Siimpel has achieved significant milestones, including the creation of the smallest high port count optical switches and the world's first MEMS horizon sensor. The company has also developed advanced laser ranging systems and compact MEMS components for NASA's Mars rovers. Since 2004, Siimpel has focused on applying its MEMS platform technology to significantly reduce the size of high-performance digital cameras, setting new benchmarks for both size and functionality in mobile devices. Recognized for its groundbreaking contributions, Siimpel has received prestigious awards, including the Advanced Technology Program award from the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

Siimpel Corporation

Series A in 2002
Siimpel Corporation, founded in 2000 as SiWave, specializes in the development of high-precision MEMS sensors and optical technologies. Originating from expertise at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the company has established itself as a leader in innovation. Siimpel has achieved significant milestones, including the creation of the smallest high port count optical switches and the world's first MEMS horizon sensor. The company has also developed advanced laser ranging systems and compact MEMS components for NASA's Mars rovers. Since 2004, Siimpel has focused on applying its MEMS platform technology to significantly reduce the size of high-performance digital cameras, setting new benchmarks for both size and functionality in mobile devices. Recognized for its groundbreaking contributions, Siimpel has received prestigious awards, including the Advanced Technology Program award from the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

Polaris Wireless

Series A in 2001
Polaris Wireless, Inc. specializes in software-based 3D location solutions for wireless operators, law enforcement, government agencies, and location-based application companies. Established in 1999 and headquartered in Mountain View, California, with additional offices in Zug, Switzerland, and Singapore, the company offers a cloud-based 3D Location Platform that accurately locates mobile devices in real-time, regardless of network type or environment, including indoors. Its OmniLocate solution enhances integration and accelerates time-to-market for applications requiring precise location services. Polaris Wireless has earned recognition in the industry, including the Mobility Award for Mobile Software Indoor Positioning Systems at the 2017 Consumer Electronics Show. The company also actively engages in industry standards and forums, contributing to advancements in indoor and vertical location technologies.

GlobalSight

Series C in 2000
GlobalSight is an open-source Translation Management System (TMS) that automates, streamlines, and manages the localization process. Upon upload, files for translation are routed along a customized workflow that can include both machine and human steps. Translations, reviews and edits are done online using the GlobalSight editors or offline by downloading translation kits for each of the main industry-standard tools. The completed files are then finalized and made available for download. Typical GlobalSight users include localization project managers, translators, reviewers, DTP engineers, as well as administrators and developers.

GlobalSight

Series B in 1999
GlobalSight is an open-source Translation Management System (TMS) that automates, streamlines, and manages the localization process. Upon upload, files for translation are routed along a customized workflow that can include both machine and human steps. Translations, reviews and edits are done online using the GlobalSight editors or offline by downloading translation kits for each of the main industry-standard tools. The completed files are then finalized and made available for download. Typical GlobalSight users include localization project managers, translators, reviewers, DTP engineers, as well as administrators and developers.

GlobalSight

Series A in 1998
GlobalSight is an open-source Translation Management System (TMS) that automates, streamlines, and manages the localization process. Upon upload, files for translation are routed along a customized workflow that can include both machine and human steps. Translations, reviews and edits are done online using the GlobalSight editors or offline by downloading translation kits for each of the main industry-standard tools. The completed files are then finalized and made available for download. Typical GlobalSight users include localization project managers, translators, reviewers, DTP engineers, as well as administrators and developers.
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