Photo of Ethan Kurzweil, Partner

Ethan Kurzweil

Partner

Ethan is a partner in the San Francisco office and a leading investor in a variety of technology verticals, including developer platforms, the new data infrastructure stack, digital consumer applications, and consumer-facing crypto. He’s passionate about new platforms that provide technologists and business users with democratized access to cutting-edge technical tooling. In addition, Ethan is particularly excited about web3 and consumer-facing crypto applications like gaming, entertainment, media, creators, and other products that have the potential to change the way we live, play, and interact.

Before joining Bessemer in 2008, he worked for Dow Jones & Co., managing the turnaround of international editions of the Wall Street Journal, and Linden Lab, the creator of Second Life. Earlier in his career, Ethan co-founded SSB-Bart Group (now known as Level-Access), a company whose mission is to make the Internet accessible to users with disabilities.

Ethan graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Stanford University and earned an MBA with distinction from Harvard Business School. Raised in Boston, he remains a Red Sox fan for life.

“Developers are increasingly powerful decision makers within organizations. It’s exciting that we’ve only just begun to capture and create value for this thriving ecosystem.”

Companies

Alloy

Alloy

Alloy helps top banks and fintechs make better decisions using a single API and dashboard to manage Know Your customer (KYC), Anti-Money Laundering (AML), fraud, and more.

Coiled

Coiled

Coiled supercharges the Python tools data scientists already use for scale and performance.

DataDistillr

DataDistillr

DataDistillr is an enterprise platform that enables data teams to explore without ETL.

Dropcam *

Dropcam

ACQUIRED BY: GOOGLE

Dropcam develops a Wi-Fi camera with easy setup and continuous cloud recording. The company was acquired by Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) in July 2014.

Fold

Fold

Fold is the best way to earn bitcoin back on everything you do.

ForeVR

ForeVR

ForeVR develops virtual reality (VR) category-defining games built to entertain people of all ages.

Gamefam

Gamefam

Gamefam provides end-to-end Roblox development support and growth strategies to enhance experiences and drive innovation in the metaverse.

HashiCorp *

HashiCorp

NASDAQ: HCP

HashiCorp enables organizations to provision, secure, and run any infrastructure for any application.

HashiCorp went public in December 2021 (NASDAQ: HCP).

LaunchDarkly

LaunchDarkly

LaunchDarkly is a feature management platform that enables software teams to build better software faster with less risk by decoupling the deployment of code from the release of features to users.

Life360 *

Life360

ASX: 360

Life360 is the world's largest mobile app for families. In May of 2019, Life360 went public on the Australian Securities Exchange.

Netdata

Netdata

Netdata provides open-source, distributed, real-time, performance and health monitoring for systems and applications.

npm *

npm

ACQUIRED BY: GITHUB

npm is the package manager for the JavaScript programming language. In March 2020, npm was acquired by GitHub.

Okera *

Okera

ACQUIRED BY: DATABRICKS

Okera enables the management of data access and governance at scale for today’s modern heterogeneous data environments.

Okera was acquired by Databricks in May 2023.

Periscope *

Periscope

ACQUIRED BY: TWITTER

Periscope offers real-time video feeds, enabling individuals to see the world through another person's eyes. In January 2015, Periscope was acquired by Twitter.

Periscope Data *

Periscope Data

ACQUIRED BY: SISENSE

Periscope Data brings data together in a single platform and delivers SQL, Python, and R in one solution. In May 2019, Periscope Data merged with Bessemer portfolio company, Sisense.

Piazza

Piazza

Piazza is the predominant social learning platform connecting students, instructors and employers.

Playdom *

Playdom

ACQUIRED BY: DISNEY

Playdom is an online social network of game developers. Playdom was acquired by Disney in August 2010.

Prefect

Prefect

Prefect is a data workflow management system, designed for modern infrastructure.

SendGrid *

SendGrid

NYSE: SEND / ACQUIRED BY: TWILIO

SendGrid is a proven, cloud-based customer communication platform that drives engagement and business growth. In 2017, SendGrid went public (NYSE: SEND) and was then acquired by Twilio (NYSE: TWLO) in 2018.

Sorare

Sorare

Sorare is a blockchain-based fantasy football platform designed to let managers trade official digital collectibles.

Terra Bella (fka Skybox Imaging) *

Terra Bella (fka Skybox Imaging)

ACQUIRED BY: GOOGLE

Terra Bella (fka Skybox Imaging) provides commercial, high-resolution satellite imagery and high-definition video and analytics services. In August 2014, Skybox was acquired by Google, Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG).

Bettermode

Bettermode

Tribe is a customizable community platform for businesses.

TRM Labs

TRM Labs

TRM Labs is a regulatory technology platform that addresses digital asset compliance and risk management in the cryptocurrency industry.

Twilio *

Twilio

NYSE: TWLO

Twilio is a cloud communication company that enables users to use standard web languages to build voice, VoIP, and SMS apps via a web API. In June 2016, Twilio went public (NYSE: TWLO).

VTS

VTS

VTS empowers landlords and brokers to better attract, convert and retain their most valuable asset – tenants.

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