Ted Schlein, a seasoned veteran in the venture capital world with an impressive track record at Kleiner Perkins, is once again making waves. His latest endeavor, Ballistic Ventures, a San Francisco-based VC firm, is currently on the brink of a major milestone – raising a substantial $100 million for its new fund.
Founded just last year, Ballistic Ventures has quickly made a name for itself by focusing on one key area of tech innovation: cybersecurity startups. This strategic decision reflects Schlein’s keen eye for emerging trends and disruptive technologies in the ever-evolving landscape of digital security.
In an exclusive interview, Schlein shared insights into Ballistic’s unique approach to nurturing portfolio companies. He emphasized the hands-on involvement of the Ballistic team, which goes beyond traditional investment support.
“We take board seats, assist with crucial hiring decisions, and work closely with founders to secure their first 10 customers,”
Schlein revealed. This level of personalized guidance sets Ballistic apart as more than just a financial backer but as a true partner in growth and success.
The core team at Ballistic Ventures comprises not only Schlein but also four other accomplished general partners: Kevin Mandia, Barmak Meftah, Jake Seid, and Roger Thornton. Together, they bring decades of combined experience and a vast network of industry contacts to the table – assets that are invaluable to the ambitious startups they choose to support.
One notable addition to the Ballistic family was Gregory Crabb, who joined as Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)-in-residence. Crabb’s appointment underscores Ballistic’s commitment to top-tier talent acquisition and its dedication to fostering excellence within its own ranks.
With 59 successful investments under its belt so far and recent participation in GetReal Labs’ significant Series A funding round worth $17.5 million making headlines just last week, Ballistic Ventures continues to demonstrate its prowess in identifying promising ventures early on and guiding them towards sustainable growth.
The broader context of the venture capital landscape reveals an increasing focus on cybersecurity investments worldwide. According to industry reports cited by Crunchbase News, funding in this sector surged by 43% year-over-year in 2024 alone – reaching an impressive $11.6 billion across 639 deals. This trend underscores both the growing importance of cybersecurity solutions in today’s digital age and investors’ confidence in supporting innovative companies tackling these pressing challenges head-on.
As Ballistic Ventures prepares to scale up its operations with this new $100 million fundraise – marking another milestone in Ted Schlein’s illustrious career – industry observers eagerly anticipate how this infusion of capital will further fuel groundbreaking advancements within the realm of cybersecurity technology.
In response to queries about their fundraising efforts, Ballistic chose not to provide any official comments at this time; however, their actions speak volumes about their continued commitment to driving innovation forward and shaping the future of cybersecurity through strategic investments that have far-reaching implications for both businesses and consumers alike.
