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Mayfield
Mayfield is the first institutional investor for early-stage AI founders, with 70% of its investments beginning at inception. The firm emphasizes a...
Mayfield
Mayfield is the first institutional investor for early-stage AI founders, with 70% of its investments beginning at inception. The firm emphasizes a people-first approach and reports a track record of 120 IPOs and 225+ M&As. It works to uplift founders and help build breakthrough companies.
General information
Firm type
Venture Capital
Year founded
1969
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Menlo Park
Corporate office
Menlo Park, CA, United States
Principals
Navin Chaddha
Managing Partner
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at Mayfield?
Mayfield is led by Managing Partner Navin Chaddha, who guides the firm's AI-focused investment strategy. The firm operates a partnership model with multiple investing partners who participate in sourcing and underwriting. Specific decision-making mechanics—such as the size and authority of the investment committee—are not publicly disclosed.
How does Mayfield source proprietary deal flow?
Mayfield positions itself as the first institutional investor for early-stage AI founders, with 70% of its investments made at inception. The firm cultivates deal flow through deep founder relationships, often engaging before a company has demonstrated product-market fit. Mayfield's multi-decade track record and network of over 500 portfolio-company alumni also serve as a proprietary sourcing engine.
What investment stages does Mayfield typically target?
Mayfield concentrates on the earliest stages of a company's life. The firm states that 70% of its investments are made at inception or the seed round. It does, however, selectively participate in later expansion and growth-stage rounds for existing portfolio companies.
Which sectors does Mayfield explicitly avoid?
Mayfield's most recent stated focus is on AI companies, and it operates as a generalist tech investor within that domain. The firm has historically avoided sectors like hard industrial tech, space, or life sciences. There is no public evidence of recent activity in energy transition, heavy manufacturing, or non-software medical devices.
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.
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