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PointGuard Ventures
PointGuard Ventures is an SEC-registered investment adviser in Los Altos, California, registered since 2014. It advises on investment strategies.
PointGuard Ventures
PointGuard Ventures is an SEC-registered investment adviser in Los Altos, California, registered since 2014. It advises on investment strategies. The firm is based in Los Altos, California.
General information
Firm type
Venture Capital
Year founded
—
AUM
Undisclosed
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Los Altos
Corporate office
349 1st Street, Los Altos, CA 94022, United States
Principals
Krish Panu
Managing Director
John McCracken
Investment Team
Nikhil Panu
Investment Team
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who makes investment decisions at PointGuard Ventures?
Krish Panu serves as Managing Director and leads the investment team alongside John McCracken and Nikhil Panu. The firm also draws on a group of executives-in-residence — domain experts in marketing, sales, finance, operations, and engineering — who evaluate prospective companies and support due diligence.
What check size and stage does PointGuard Ventures typically target?
PointGuard targets Series A and early Series B companies with product-market validation and a defined sales strategy. Initial checks range from $2M to $10M, and the firm can deploy over $10M into select companies over their lifetime, bringing in additional capital from strategic partners as needed.
Does PointGuard operate as an institutional venture fund or a family office?
PointGuard is structured as a private equity firm, not a single-family office. It functions as an early-stage venture capital firm investing third-party capital rather than exclusively managing a single family's wealth.
What does PointGuard mean by 'mentor capital'?
The firm describes its role as the coach or advisor to the CEO — the "point guard" on the court. This translates into hands-on operational support through its investment team and executives-in-residence, rather than passive board-level oversight.
Which notable exits has PointGuard Ventures achieved?
Recent disclosed exits include Nod (acquired by AMD, October 2023), InSilixa (acquired by Cepheid, December 2021), Deem (acquired by EHI, January 2019), Serviz (acquired by Porch, August 2018), and Enlighted (acquired by Siemens, June 2018). Earlier exits include Lavante, acquired by PRGX Global in November 2016.
How does PointGuard source its deals?
The firm does not publicly detail its sourcing model, but it invites startups to submit pitches through its website for fundraising or mentorship and states it reviews all companies to provide feedback, mentoring, investing, or introductions. Its network of executives-in-residence and prior founder relationships likely contribute inbound deal flow.
Does PointGuard Ventures participate in follow-on rounds or co-investments?
Yes. The firm explicitly states it provides co-investment and follow-on financing opportunities with established investment partners. For larger rounds, PointGuard brings in additional capital from strategic partners.
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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