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Lew Cirne is a Strategic Limited Partner at Four Rivers Group, a global expansion-stage venture capital firm based in Silicon Valley. He previously served as Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chairman of New Relic, an application performance management company he founded in 2008 that was later acquired for $6.5 billion. Before establishing New Relic, Cirne founded Wily Technology in 1998, leading the software analytics firm until its acquisition by CA, Inc. in 2006, and earlier held senior technical roles at Apple and Hummingbird Communications. As an active technology investor focusing on high-growth SaaS and observability sectors, he recently participated as an angel investor in BotCity's $12 million Series A funding round in September 2025. Cirne holds a computer science degree from Dartmouth College and has funded scholarships and the Cirne Learning Commons at Trinity College School.
Lew Cirne stands as a prominent figure in the technology and investment landscape, currently serving as a Partner at Four Rivers Group. This investment firm, founded by Cirne himself, is dedicated to backing early-stage technology companies with disruptive potential. His role at Four Rivers Group involves not only capital allocation but also active mentorship, drawing upon his decades of experience building and scaling successful software enterprises.
Cirne's investment focus at Four Rivers Group is sharply defined, primarily targeting innovative startups within the software, data analytics, and cloud computing sectors. He seeks companies that are poised to redefine their respective markets, often looking for strong technical teams and compelling product visions. His deep understanding of enterprise software and the intricacies of scaling a tech company provides a unique advantage in identifying promising ventures and guiding their growth.
Before establishing Four Rivers Group, Lew Cirne built an illustrious career marked by significant entrepreneurial success. He is best known as the founder and former CEO of New Relic, a leading observability platform that went public in 2014. Under his leadership, New Relic grew from a nascent idea into a global enterprise, providing critical insights into software performance for thousands of companies worldwide. His journey with New Relic showcased his visionary leadership, technical acumen, and ability to execute on a grand scale. Prior to New Relic, Cirne was the chief architect of Wily Technology, a company specializing in application performance management, which was acquired by CA Technologies in 2006. This foundational experience at Wily further honed his expertise in software monitoring and analytics, laying the groundwork for his subsequent ventures.
Through Four Rivers Group, Lew Cirne continues to contribute to the technology ecosystem, empowering the next generation of innovators. His approach to investment is characterized by a blend of strategic insight, operational wisdom, and a genuine passion for technological advancement, making him a sought-after partner for ambitious founders.
Lew Cirne is a renowned technology entrepreneur and investor, best known as the founder and former CEO of New Relic. He is currently a Partner at Four Rivers Group, an investment firm he founded.
Lew Cirne, through Four Rivers Group, primarily invests in early-stage technology companies. His focus areas include software, data analytics, and cloud computing, leveraging his extensive background in these sectors.
Lew Cirne works as a Partner at Four Rivers Group, an investment firm he founded. He also remains involved with New Relic as its Executive Chairman.
