This is quite the achievement for Lightspeed. As a company, they’ve raised an astounding $9 billion in new capital since that infamous IPO—by far the largest amount of capital they’ve ever raised. This unprecedented capital investment comes at an urgent time. The company is apparently looking to increase its investment in the space as well as artificial intelligence technologies. The new capital is thoughtfully spread across six different funds, allowing Lightspeed to further pursue its hyper-growth in the venture ecosystem.
One notable fund is a truly exceptional $3.3 billion opportunity fund. Its mandate is to make follow-on investments only in Lightspeed’s top-growing portfolio companies. This initiative highlights the firm’s commitment to supporting its high-potential investments, ensuring that they have the necessary resources to scale effectively.
In September, Lightspeed co-led a landmark $13 billion investment round in Anthropic – one of the foremost AI safety and research companies. In this round, it was Lightspeed that played a leading role, writing a massive $1 billion check to fund Anthropic’s ambitious long-term goals. This investment proudly highlights Lightspeed’s strategic commitment to the rapidly growing field of artificial intelligence.
Lightspeed’s commitment to supporting entrepreneurs and innovators is further reflected in its portfolio which includes 165 AI-native companies. The firm has established a sterling reputation internationally in the growing technology sector. It has made headline-grabbing investments in companies such as Anthropic, xAI, Databricks, Mistral, Glean, Abridge, and Skild AI. These companies are representative of the diverse and groundbreaking solutions that are pioneering change. They’re forging the future of technology and driving breakthroughs throughout every industry from healthcare to transportation.
This latest capital raise places Lightspeed in a favorable spot amidst a highly competitive venture capital landscape. The company has raised an impressive $235 million in funding. Today, it can use its extensive resources to pinpoint and foster the most promising startups, particularly in the rapidly developing field of AI.