Spark Capital

Spark Capital Partners, LLC is a venture capital and private equity firm established in 2005, with offices in Boston, New York, and San Francisco. The firm specializes in growth capital investments across various stages, from seed startups to later-stage companies. Its investment focus spans a wide range of sectors, including internet, mobile, education services, fintech, consumer products, software, media, and technology. Spark Capital aims to support innovative businesses that merge entertainment and technology, particularly in areas like e-commerce, digital media, and consumer services. The firm typically invests between $0.5 million and $30 million in companies with revenues up to $1 billion and often seeks a board seat to actively engage with its portfolio. Spark Capital is committed to helping founders navigate their unique paths to success.

Coen Armstrong

Investor

Paul Conway

Co-Founder, Co-CFO and General Partner

Clay Fisher

Investor

Nabeel Hyatt

General Partner, Early

Aaditya Jain

Investor

James Kuklinski

General Partner

Alexa Lyons

Co-CFO and General Partner

Connor Mullaney

Investor

Hanseul Nam

Investor

Pravin Patel

Managing Director

Yasmin Razavi

General Partner

Will Reed

General Partner

Natalie Sandman

General Partner, Early

Benjamin Simon

Venture Partner

Kevin Thau

General Partner, Early

Natalie Vais

General Partner, Early

Brian Watson

Investor

P Krishnan

Managing Partner of EAM Business

Past deals in Networking

Verana Networks

Series B in 2022
Verana Networks develops an innovative 5G Radio Access Network solution for service providers that have licensed millimeter wave (mmWave) spectrum. The company focuses on enabling 5G in mmWave spectrum because that is where the largest amount of new spectrum is. For 5G to succeed, it must deliver a 10X-50X increase in speed and capacity. Blazing fast speed and an increase in capacity enable new applications, these new applications create incremental revenue, and incremental revenue is essential to support the business case for 5G.

Handshake

Series F in 2022
Handshake is a college career network established in 2014, aimed at transforming the recruiting experience for students, career centers, and employers. It connects 17 million students and young alumni from over 1,000 colleges and universities—including many minority-serving institutions—with nearly 500,000 employers, ranging from Fortune 500 companies to small businesses and nonprofits. The platform democratizes access to job opportunities, providing students with valuable insights and a wider array of career options, while enabling employers to efficiently access diverse talent. Additionally, it offers colleges tools to enhance student engagement and boost employment outcomes. Headquartered in San Francisco, with offices in Denver and London, Handshake has raised a total of $155 million from various investors, including prominent venture capital and social impact firms.

Andela

Series E in 2021
Andela is a global talent network that specializes in recruiting and managing software developers from emerging markets, particularly in Africa. Established in 2014 and headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria, the company provides training and mentorship to prepare developers for roles with companies worldwide. Through its platform, Andela connects leading organizations like GitHub and Cloudflare with highly skilled engineering talent, enabling businesses to scale their teams efficiently and cost-effectively. The company focuses on identifying the top 1% of software developers, fostering a network that empowers developers while facilitating job opportunities. Andela operates as a distributed organization across four continents and has garnered support from notable investors, including Generation Investment Management and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative.

Handshake

Series E in 2021
Handshake is a college career network established in 2014, aimed at transforming the recruiting experience for students, career centers, and employers. It connects 17 million students and young alumni from over 1,000 colleges and universities—including many minority-serving institutions—with nearly 500,000 employers, ranging from Fortune 500 companies to small businesses and nonprofits. The platform democratizes access to job opportunities, providing students with valuable insights and a wider array of career options, while enabling employers to efficiently access diverse talent. Additionally, it offers colleges tools to enhance student engagement and boost employment outcomes. Headquartered in San Francisco, with offices in Denver and London, Handshake has raised a total of $155 million from various investors, including prominent venture capital and social impact firms.

Dispo

Series A in 2021
Dispo operates as a social network. Dispo compels its fans to wait until the next morning for their photos to develop, digitally re-creating the delightful nostalgia and delayed gratification of waiting for film's development.

Verana Networks

Series A in 2020
Verana Networks develops an innovative 5G Radio Access Network solution for service providers that have licensed millimeter wave (mmWave) spectrum. The company focuses on enabling 5G in mmWave spectrum because that is where the largest amount of new spectrum is. For 5G to succeed, it must deliver a 10X-50X increase in speed and capacity. Blazing fast speed and an increase in capacity enable new applications, these new applications create incremental revenue, and incremental revenue is essential to support the business case for 5G.

Handshake

Series D in 2020
Handshake is a college career network established in 2014, aimed at transforming the recruiting experience for students, career centers, and employers. It connects 17 million students and young alumni from over 1,000 colleges and universities—including many minority-serving institutions—with nearly 500,000 employers, ranging from Fortune 500 companies to small businesses and nonprofits. The platform democratizes access to job opportunities, providing students with valuable insights and a wider array of career options, while enabling employers to efficiently access diverse talent. Additionally, it offers colleges tools to enhance student engagement and boost employment outcomes. Headquartered in San Francisco, with offices in Denver and London, Handshake has raised a total of $155 million from various investors, including prominent venture capital and social impact firms.

Nylas

Series B in 2020
Nylas, Inc. is a technology company that offers a communications platform designed to facilitate seamless integration of email, calendar, and contact data into applications. The platform provides developers with secure access to user data from various providers, including Gmail, Outlook, Microsoft Exchange, and IMAP. Nylas enables the rapid creation of embedded calendar features, bi-directional data synchronization, and event management from emails, allowing developers to integrate complex communications data efficiently. The company's solutions are built with compliance in mind, meeting standards such as SOC 2, GDPR, and HIPAA. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, Nylas also maintains additional offices in New York and Denver.

Andela

Series D in 2019
Andela is a global talent network that specializes in recruiting and managing software developers from emerging markets, particularly in Africa. Established in 2014 and headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria, the company provides training and mentorship to prepare developers for roles with companies worldwide. Through its platform, Andela connects leading organizations like GitHub and Cloudflare with highly skilled engineering talent, enabling businesses to scale their teams efficiently and cost-effectively. The company focuses on identifying the top 1% of software developers, fostering a network that empowers developers while facilitating job opportunities. Andela operates as a distributed organization across four continents and has garnered support from notable investors, including Generation Investment Management and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative.

Handshake

Series C in 2018
Handshake is a college career network established in 2014, aimed at transforming the recruiting experience for students, career centers, and employers. It connects 17 million students and young alumni from over 1,000 colleges and universities—including many minority-serving institutions—with nearly 500,000 employers, ranging from Fortune 500 companies to small businesses and nonprofits. The platform democratizes access to job opportunities, providing students with valuable insights and a wider array of career options, while enabling employers to efficiently access diverse talent. Additionally, it offers colleges tools to enhance student engagement and boost employment outcomes. Headquartered in San Francisco, with offices in Denver and London, Handshake has raised a total of $155 million from various investors, including prominent venture capital and social impact firms.

Nylas

Series B in 2018
Nylas, Inc. is a technology company that offers a communications platform designed to facilitate seamless integration of email, calendar, and contact data into applications. The platform provides developers with secure access to user data from various providers, including Gmail, Outlook, Microsoft Exchange, and IMAP. Nylas enables the rapid creation of embedded calendar features, bi-directional data synchronization, and event management from emails, allowing developers to integrate complex communications data efficiently. The company's solutions are built with compliance in mind, meeting standards such as SOC 2, GDPR, and HIPAA. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, Nylas also maintains additional offices in New York and Denver.

Nift Networks

Series A in 2018
Nift Networks Inc. operates an invitation-only online platform that connects independent neighborhood businesses in Greater Boston. This unique network allows local business owners to offer Nift gifts as a way to appreciate their existing customers and attract new ones, thereby enhancing foot traffic and community engagement. Founded in Brookline, Massachusetts, Nift leverages a machine-learning system to match the appropriate neighborhood gift to each customer, utilizing physical or virtual cards. The platform is designed to support a diverse range of local businesses, from restaurants and bars to shops offering products like music, jewelry, and wine delivery. Nift Networks aims to foster a thriving local ecosystem by ensuring that businesses are consistently discovered through thoughtful customer appreciation.

Andela

Series C in 2017
Andela is a global talent network that specializes in recruiting and managing software developers from emerging markets, particularly in Africa. Established in 2014 and headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria, the company provides training and mentorship to prepare developers for roles with companies worldwide. Through its platform, Andela connects leading organizations like GitHub and Cloudflare with highly skilled engineering talent, enabling businesses to scale their teams efficiently and cost-effectively. The company focuses on identifying the top 1% of software developers, fostering a network that empowers developers while facilitating job opportunities. Andela operates as a distributed organization across four continents and has garnered support from notable investors, including Generation Investment Management and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative.

Handshake

Series B in 2016
Handshake is a college career network established in 2014, aimed at transforming the recruiting experience for students, career centers, and employers. It connects 17 million students and young alumni from over 1,000 colleges and universities—including many minority-serving institutions—with nearly 500,000 employers, ranging from Fortune 500 companies to small businesses and nonprofits. The platform democratizes access to job opportunities, providing students with valuable insights and a wider array of career options, while enabling employers to efficiently access diverse talent. Additionally, it offers colleges tools to enhance student engagement and boost employment outcomes. Headquartered in San Francisco, with offices in Denver and London, Handshake has raised a total of $155 million from various investors, including prominent venture capital and social impact firms.

Andela

Series B in 2016
Andela is a global talent network that specializes in recruiting and managing software developers from emerging markets, particularly in Africa. Established in 2014 and headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria, the company provides training and mentorship to prepare developers for roles with companies worldwide. Through its platform, Andela connects leading organizations like GitHub and Cloudflare with highly skilled engineering talent, enabling businesses to scale their teams efficiently and cost-effectively. The company focuses on identifying the top 1% of software developers, fostering a network that empowers developers while facilitating job opportunities. Andela operates as a distributed organization across four continents and has garnered support from notable investors, including Generation Investment Management and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative.

Nift Networks

Seed Round in 2016
Nift Networks Inc. operates an invitation-only online platform that connects independent neighborhood businesses in Greater Boston. This unique network allows local business owners to offer Nift gifts as a way to appreciate their existing customers and attract new ones, thereby enhancing foot traffic and community engagement. Founded in Brookline, Massachusetts, Nift leverages a machine-learning system to match the appropriate neighborhood gift to each customer, utilizing physical or virtual cards. The platform is designed to support a diverse range of local businesses, from restaurants and bars to shops offering products like music, jewelry, and wine delivery. Nift Networks aims to foster a thriving local ecosystem by ensuring that businesses are consistently discovered through thoughtful customer appreciation.

Andela

Series A in 2015
Andela is a global talent network that specializes in recruiting and managing software developers from emerging markets, particularly in Africa. Established in 2014 and headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria, the company provides training and mentorship to prepare developers for roles with companies worldwide. Through its platform, Andela connects leading organizations like GitHub and Cloudflare with highly skilled engineering talent, enabling businesses to scale their teams efficiently and cost-effectively. The company focuses on identifying the top 1% of software developers, fostering a network that empowers developers while facilitating job opportunities. Andela operates as a distributed organization across four continents and has garnered support from notable investors, including Generation Investment Management and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative.

Benu Networks

Series C in 2015
Benu Networks is a telecommunications software company based in Billerica, Massachusetts, focused on providing innovative solutions for edge networks. The company specializes in developing a next-generation Virtual Service Edge (VSE) platform that facilitates the creation and delivery of Internet Protocol (IP) services over converged infrastructure. This platform integrates cable modem termination system (CMTS) functions, allowing network operators to effectively scale their networks for both residential and business customers. With over a decade of industry experience, Benu Networks aims to transform legacy networks, manage services elastically, and support the transition to 5G technology. The company is supported by prominent venture capital investments.

Stack Exchange

Venture Round in 2015
Stack Exchange Inc. operates a diverse network of question-and-answer websites covering a wide range of topics, including software programming, cooking, photography, and gaming. The platform enables users to ask and answer questions without the need for registration, fostering an open community for knowledge sharing. Among its offerings is Stack Overflow for Teams, which provides development teams with a dedicated space to seek answers to technical inquiries. The company serves a variety of professionals, including programmers, researchers, and photographers. Founded in 2008 and originally known as Stack Overflow, Inc., it rebranded to Stack Exchange Inc. in March 2011 and is headquartered in New York, New York.

Benu Networks

Series B in 2013
Benu Networks is a telecommunications software company based in Billerica, Massachusetts, focused on providing innovative solutions for edge networks. The company specializes in developing a next-generation Virtual Service Edge (VSE) platform that facilitates the creation and delivery of Internet Protocol (IP) services over converged infrastructure. This platform integrates cable modem termination system (CMTS) functions, allowing network operators to effectively scale their networks for both residential and business customers. With over a decade of industry experience, Benu Networks aims to transform legacy networks, manage services elastically, and support the transition to 5G technology. The company is supported by prominent venture capital investments.

Accelera

Series A in 2013
Accelera creates wireless network virtualization technology, which unifies heterogeneous network resources to create seamless high-speed carrier-grade connectivity.

Benu Networks

Seed Round in 2011
Benu Networks is a telecommunications software company based in Billerica, Massachusetts, focused on providing innovative solutions for edge networks. The company specializes in developing a next-generation Virtual Service Edge (VSE) platform that facilitates the creation and delivery of Internet Protocol (IP) services over converged infrastructure. This platform integrates cable modem termination system (CMTS) functions, allowing network operators to effectively scale their networks for both residential and business customers. With over a decade of industry experience, Benu Networks aims to transform legacy networks, manage services elastically, and support the transition to 5G technology. The company is supported by prominent venture capital investments.

Twitter

Series F in 2010
Twitter is a social networking platform that enables users to send and read short messages, known as "tweets," with a character limit of 280. Launched in 2006, Twitter has grown into a global real-time communications platform, attracting more than 400 million monthly visitors and 255 million active users. The platform serves a diverse user base that includes world leaders, athletes, news organizations, and entertainment figures, and is accessible in over 35 languages. Users can interact with the platform through various means, including web browsers, SMS, and mobile applications. Headquartered in San Francisco, California, Twitter also maintains numerous local offices across the United States and several international offices in major cities around the world.

IPWireless

Series A in 2009
IPWireless is a pioneer in developing and delivering next generation wireless solutions, including silicon, software, and network infrastructure, based on 3GPP, the world's leading mobile standard. They provide some of the world's largest mobile network operators, governments, and device vendors with innovative solutions that deliver the performance, reliability, and compelling business economics they require so they can stay ahead of their competition and offer their subscribers the value-added services they demand.

Intune Networks

Venture Round in 2009
Intune Networks specializes in advanced optical switching technology, enabling telecommunications operators to build more efficient and simpler networks. The company has developed a unique optical Ethernet switch fabric that facilitates real-time packet switching over long distances, utilizing tuneable lasers in accordance with the emerging Optical Burst Switching (OBS) standard. This innovative approach significantly reduces network complexity by minimizing the number of components needed and allows for instantaneous bandwidth allocation at any point in the network. Additionally, Intune's distributed switching system empowers carriers to virtualize connectivity within their networks, transforming mobile transport networks into more flexible and streamlined infrastructures.

Twitter

Series D in 2009
Twitter is a social networking platform that enables users to send and read short messages, known as "tweets," with a character limit of 280. Launched in 2006, Twitter has grown into a global real-time communications platform, attracting more than 400 million monthly visitors and 255 million active users. The platform serves a diverse user base that includes world leaders, athletes, news organizations, and entertainment figures, and is accessible in over 35 languages. Users can interact with the platform through various means, including web browsers, SMS, and mobile applications. Headquartered in San Francisco, California, Twitter also maintains numerous local offices across the United States and several international offices in major cities around the world.

Verivue

Series C in 2009
Verivue, Inc. develops and markets high-performance IP platforms that enable network operators to distribute, deliver and control enormous amounts of IP-based media traffic across a growing and diverse number of end devices. The Company offers solutions for service providers to accelerate content delivery for managed and unmanaged service provider networks. Verivue’s OneVantage Content Delivery Solution is based on the guiding principles of web scale and cloud computing, providing unbounded scalability in content caching and delivery bandwidth with the resiliency inherent in state-of-the-art clustering techniques of COTS servers. Additional information about Verivue products and services can be found at www.verivue.com.

Twitter

Series C in 2009
Twitter is a social networking platform that enables users to send and read short messages, known as "tweets," with a character limit of 280. Launched in 2006, Twitter has grown into a global real-time communications platform, attracting more than 400 million monthly visitors and 255 million active users. The platform serves a diverse user base that includes world leaders, athletes, news organizations, and entertainment figures, and is accessible in over 35 languages. Users can interact with the platform through various means, including web browsers, SMS, and mobile applications. Headquartered in San Francisco, California, Twitter also maintains numerous local offices across the United States and several international offices in major cities around the world.

Verivue

Series B in 2008
Verivue, Inc. develops and markets high-performance IP platforms that enable network operators to distribute, deliver and control enormous amounts of IP-based media traffic across a growing and diverse number of end devices. The Company offers solutions for service providers to accelerate content delivery for managed and unmanaged service provider networks. Verivue’s OneVantage Content Delivery Solution is based on the guiding principles of web scale and cloud computing, providing unbounded scalability in content caching and delivery bandwidth with the resiliency inherent in state-of-the-art clustering techniques of COTS servers. Additional information about Verivue products and services can be found at www.verivue.com.

Twitter

Series B in 2008
Twitter is a social networking platform that enables users to send and read short messages, known as "tweets," with a character limit of 280. Launched in 2006, Twitter has grown into a global real-time communications platform, attracting more than 400 million monthly visitors and 255 million active users. The platform serves a diverse user base that includes world leaders, athletes, news organizations, and entertainment figures, and is accessible in over 35 languages. Users can interact with the platform through various means, including web browsers, SMS, and mobile applications. Headquartered in San Francisco, California, Twitter also maintains numerous local offices across the United States and several international offices in major cities around the world.

Next New Networks

Series B in 2008
Next New Networks operates as a provider of internet-based micro television networks, focusing on niche communities. Launched in 2007, the company combines elements of traditional television with the interactive capabilities of the internet, encouraging viewer participation in content creation and distribution. It has garnered significant viewership, boasting over 1 billion views and more than 2 million subscribers. The company is recognized for its original episodic series, including popular networks such as Barely Political, Channel Frederator, Hungry Nation, Fast Lane Daily, Indy Mogul, ThreadBanger, and Barely Digital. These networks feature a diverse range of content from comedic videos to cartoons and lifestyle programming. In addition to content creation, Next New Networks offers various advertising solutions, including brand integration and ad tracking, facilitating partnerships with advertisers to enhance visibility and engagement.

CNET Media

Venture Round in 2008
CNET is an online platform established in 1994 that specializes in providing comprehensive tech product reviews, news, prices, videos, podcasts, and how-to guides. The platform serves as a valuable resource for consumers seeking information and guidance on technology and electronics, including computers and digital technologies. CNET's global team operates continuously to deliver insights into the evolving tech landscape, fostering a space for engagement and discussion among users. The platform prioritizes the quality of discourse, maintaining the authority to moderate comments as necessary. Through its interactive content and information services, CNET aims to facilitate informed purchasing decisions for consumers navigating the complexities of modern technology.

Intune Networks

Venture Round in 2007
Intune Networks specializes in advanced optical switching technology, enabling telecommunications operators to build more efficient and simpler networks. The company has developed a unique optical Ethernet switch fabric that facilitates real-time packet switching over long distances, utilizing tuneable lasers in accordance with the emerging Optical Burst Switching (OBS) standard. This innovative approach significantly reduces network complexity by minimizing the number of components needed and allows for instantaneous bandwidth allocation at any point in the network. Additionally, Intune's distributed switching system empowers carriers to virtualize connectivity within their networks, transforming mobile transport networks into more flexible and streamlined infrastructures.

Next New Networks

Series A in 2007
Next New Networks operates as a provider of internet-based micro television networks, focusing on niche communities. Launched in 2007, the company combines elements of traditional television with the interactive capabilities of the internet, encouraging viewer participation in content creation and distribution. It has garnered significant viewership, boasting over 1 billion views and more than 2 million subscribers. The company is recognized for its original episodic series, including popular networks such as Barely Political, Channel Frederator, Hungry Nation, Fast Lane Daily, Indy Mogul, ThreadBanger, and Barely Digital. These networks feature a diverse range of content from comedic videos to cartoons and lifestyle programming. In addition to content creation, Next New Networks offers various advertising solutions, including brand integration and ad tracking, facilitating partnerships with advertisers to enhance visibility and engagement.
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