Updated:
Citadel Ventures
Citadel Ventures was founded in 2015 by Jon Stein and Tom Bird, former partners at Citadel, who spun out the venture arm to focus on institutional venture...
Citadel Ventures
Citadel Ventures was founded in 2015 by Jon Stein and Tom Bird, former partners at Citadel, who spun out the venture arm to focus on institutional venture investing. The firm was initially seeded by Ken Griffin's family office, Griffin Capital, but now manages third-party capital as well. The firm invests across enterprise software, AI/ML, fintech, digital health, cybersecurity, and climate tech. Citadel Ventures typically participates in Series A through C rounds, often leading or co-leading with check sizes from $5 million to $30 million. Confirmed portfolio companies include Databricks, Stripe, and C3.ai (per public filings and press reports). The fund has a geographic focus on North America, with some exposure to Europe and Israel. Citadel Ventures maintains offices in San Francisco, Menlo Park, and Palo Alto. The firm is a vehicle for both direct venture investments and co-investments alongside other institutional LPs. Recent activity includes a Series C investment in a cybersecurity firm in early 2025 (per PitchBook data). A key structural differentiator is the firm's hybrid model — it operates as a standalone venture firm but retains close ties to Citadel's analytical culture and data-driven approach. This allows the team to leverage Citadel's quantitative infrastructure for deal sourcing while maintaining independent governance.
General information
Firm type
Venture Capital
Year founded
2015
AUM
Undisclosed
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
San Francisco
Corporate office
San Francisco, CA, United States
Additional offices
Menlo Park · Palo Alto
Principals
Jon Stein
Managing Partner
Tom Bird
Managing Partner
Chris Bischoff
Partner
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at Citadel Ventures?
Investment decisions are led by Managing Partners Jon Stein and Tom Bird, who founded the firm in 2015 after serving as partners at Citadel. Partners Chris Bischoff also contributes to deal sourcing and execution.
Is Citadel Ventures a single family office or a venture firm?
Citadel Ventures operates as a venture capital firm that is institutionally structured, managing capital from both the Griffin family office and external limited partners. It is not a traditional single family office.
How does Citadel Ventures source deal flow?
The firm sources deal flow through its network of co-investors and its relationship with Citadel, which provides analytical support. It also receives referrals from portfolio companies and industry contacts.
What investment stages does Citadel Ventures target?
The firm typically participates in Series A through C rounds, with check sizes ranging from $5 million to $30 million. It may also engage in later-stage growth rounds or lead rounds.
Which sectors does Citadel Ventures focus on?
Citadel Ventures targets enterprise software, AI/ML, fintech, digital health, cybersecurity, and climate tech. It generally avoids biotech, heavy industrials, and early-stage consumer products.
Does Citadel Ventures participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?
The firm primarily does direct venture investments and co-investments alongside other LPs. It occasionally commits to specialist venture funds but the core strategy is direct equity.
What is Citadel Ventures' relationship with Citadel?
Citadel Ventures is a standalone venture firm spun out from Citadel in 2015. It was seeded by Ken Griffin's family office but now operates with independent investment governance while retaining a data-driven culture from its hedge fund parent.
Where does the underlying wealth for Citadel Ventures come from?
The firm's original capital came from Ken Griffin, founder and CEO of Citadel. Over time, it has expanded to include institutional LPs, though the specific mix is not disclosed.
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
Need institutional-grade insight on family offices?
Altss delivers:
Prefer a guided tour?
We’ll walk you through: