Ted Schlein’s Ballistic Ventures Secures $100M for Innovative New Fund Launch
Ballistic Ventures, a prominent venture capital firm specializing in cybersecurity startups, is set to raise a substantial $100 million for its new fund, as revealed by a recent regulatory filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. This move comes just over a year after the firm successfully closed its second fund, which totaled $360 million.
Overview of Ballistic Ventures
Founded in late 2021, Ballistic Ventures has quickly established itself as a key player in the cybersecurity investment landscape. Co-founded by industry veteran Ted Schlein, known for his tenure at Kleiner Perkins, the firm is dedicated to nurturing innovative cybersecurity startups.
Hands-On Approach
In an interview with TechCrunch, Schlein emphasized the firm’s proactive approach. Ballistic’s team is highly involved, offering support in various areas:
- Taking board seats to guide strategic decisions
- Assisting portfolio companies with hiring initiatives
- Helping startups secure their first ten customers
- Maintaining regular communication with founders
Schlein noted the advantage of leveraging a vast network of contacts to benefit their portfolio companies.
Leadership Team
Alongside Schlein, Ballistic Ventures boasts an experienced team of general partners:
- Kevin Mandia
- Barmak Meftah
- Jake Seid
- Roger Thornton
Recently, the firm appointed former USPS Chief Information Security Officer Gregory Crabb as CISO-in-residence, succeeding David Hahn, who was promoted to CISO operating partner.
Investment Portfolio and Market Growth
According to Crunchbase, Ballistic Ventures has invested in a total of 59 startups, with the latest being GetReal Lab’s $17.5 million Series A round, announced last week. The firm has also successfully achieved six exits.
Cybersecurity Funding Trends
The cybersecurity funding landscape has seen significant growth, with a remarkable 43% increase year-over-year, reaching $11.6 billion in 2024. This growth is reflected in the closure of 639 deals, compared to 821 in 2023, as reported by Crunchbase News.
As of now, Ballistic Ventures has declined to comment further on their fundraising efforts, but their commitment to advancing cybersecurity innovation remains clear.