Victor Lazarte, the influential Asian American venture capitalist, has announced that he’s leaving Benchmark, after two years on the firm’s closely watched team. Lazarte informed his portfolio companies about his decision to leave the well-known venture capital firm in order to establish a new investment practice. This move marks an important chapter in his career. Now, he’s working on setting up his own consulting practice.
As part of his time at Benchmark, Lazarte was an impactful investor in companies from all sectors. Among these had been those like Mercor, an AI recruiting startup, HeyGen, an AI video intelligence platform, and Decart AI that works on AI infrastructure. His smart investments continue to drive the expansion of cutting edge businesses. This demonstrates his commitment to taking the lead on emerging technologies in the venture capital world.
Lazarte presented his resignation on the social media platform X. He concluded by saying, “I am thankful for my time at Benchmark and looking forward to exciting things ahead.” His decision is made at a time of great uncertainty at Benchmark. He is now the second investor to withdraw from the partnership this year. Another partner at Benchmark, Sarah Tavel, is moving to a venture partner role.
Prior to joining Benchmark, Lazarte co-founded Wildlife Studios, one of the largest mobile gaming success stories. When Benchmark invested in 2020, Wildlife Studios was already valued at about $3 billion. His background in entrepreneurship and investment has quietly made Lazarte a central figure within the VC community.
The remaining partners at Benchmark are Peter Fenton, Eric Vishria, and Chetan Puttagunta. Their ongoing involvement makes sure that the shop keeps its reputation for finding and building the best high-potential startups.
Industry observers remarked that Lazarte’s departure leaves his recent investments in play. His unique experience and perspective will go on to change the broader landscape of venture capital at his new firm. His experience and networks will undoubtedly be of interest to entrepreneurs looking for funding and advice in the fast growing tech space.