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Greg Sands is the Founder and Managing Partner of Costanoa Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm based in Palo Alto, California. Before establishing the firm in 2012, he served as the first Product Manager at Netscape, where he authored the initial business plan, coined the company name, and scaled SuiteSpot from zero to $140 million in revenue. He subsequently spent 14 years as a Managing Director at Sutter Hill Ventures and holds degrees from Harvard College and the Stanford Graduate School of Business. Under his leadership, Costanoa Ventures manages over $2 billion in assets, closing a $275 million fifth fund and a $115 million opportunity fund in May 2024. Sands currently focuses on Seed and Series A investments across enterprise software, fintech, and data infrastructure, holding board seats at portfolio companies like Alation and Demandbase.
Greg Sands stands as a prominent figure in the venture capital landscape, serving as the founder and a Managing Director at Costanoa Ventures. His leadership has positioned Costanoa as a leading early-stage firm dedicated to investing in the next generation of enterprise technology companies. At Costanoa, Greg is instrumental in guiding the firm's investment strategy, focusing on Seed and Series A rounds for B2B SaaS, enterprise software, data infrastructure, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and developer tools.
Sands' investment philosophy is deeply rooted in his extensive experience and a keen eye for disruptive innovation. He is known for partnering with ambitious founders who are building scalable, product-led companies that address critical business needs. His approach emphasizes strong product market fit, robust business models, and a clear path to market leadership. He actively supports portfolio companies with strategic guidance, leveraging his vast network and operational insights to help them navigate growth challenges and achieve significant milestones.
Before founding Costanoa Ventures, Greg Sands built an impressive career marked by significant contributions to the tech and venture capital sectors. He spent 13 years as a Partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners, where he honed his expertise in early-stage investing and played a key role in numerous successful ventures. Prior to his tenure at Lightspeed, Sands held a pivotal role as the Vice President of Finance at Netscape Communications, where he was part of the executive team that guided the company through its groundbreaking IPO. His earlier career included stints at General Atlantic Partners and Morgan Stanley, providing him with a comprehensive understanding of finance, strategy, and market dynamics. Greg holds an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business and a BA from Harvard University.
Throughout his career, Greg has backed many notable companies that have gone on to achieve significant success and impact. His portfolio includes investments in companies such as Alation, a leader in data cataloging; Apptio, an IT financial management solution acquired by Vista Equity Partners; Demandbase, an account-based marketing platform; Kustomer, a customer service CRM acquired by Meta; LeanData, specializing in sales operations automation; and Intacct, a cloud financial management software acquired by Sage. These investments underscore his ability to identify and nurture companies that redefine their respective industries.
Greg Sands is the founder and a Managing Director at Costanoa Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm. He is a seasoned investor with a strong focus on B2B SaaS and enterprise technology companies.
Greg Sands primarily invests in early-stage (Seed and Series A) B2B SaaS, enterprise software, data infrastructure, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and developer tools companies. He looks for transformative businesses solving critical enterprise problems.
Greg Sands works at Costanoa Ventures, the venture capital firm he founded. He serves as a Managing Director, leading investments and guiding the firm's strategic direction.
