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Bill Elkus is the Managing Partner at Elkus Alternatives LLC and the Founder of Clearstone Venture Partners, based in San Francisco, California. During his tenure at Clearstone, he raised over $600 million across multiple funds and backed major technology companies including PayPal and Idealab. He has invested in more than 20 early-stage technology startups, such as PathAI and Benchling, and recently advised on a $50 million Series A transaction during 2024. Previously, he served as a senior partner at Irell & Manella and worked at Bain & Company. Elkus earned a Juris Doctor magna cum laude from Harvard Law School, in addition to a Master of Science in Finance and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from MIT. His current focus centers on early-stage venture investments across the artificial intelligence, computational biology, and enterprise software sectors.
Bill Elkus stands as a prominent figure in the venture capital landscape, serving as a Managing Partner at Clearstone, a firm he co-founded in 1998. At Clearstone, Mr. Elkus plays a pivotal role in identifying, funding, and guiding early-stage technology companies, helping them transform innovative ideas into successful enterprises. His investment focus primarily spans the internet, software, digital media, and enterprise technology sectors, with a keen eye for disruptive business models and strong management teams.
Before co-founding Clearstone, originally known as idealab! Capital Partners, Bill Elkus built a distinguished career marked by significant entrepreneurial and financial leadership. He was the founder and CEO of Media Technology Ventures (MTV), an early-stage investment firm. Prior to MTV, he established Western Technology Investment (WTI), a leading provider of venture debt and equipment leasing to technology companies, demonstrating his long-standing commitment to fostering innovation.
Mr. Elkus's influence extends beyond direct investment. He was a co-founder and Chairman of the Executive Committee of the NASDAQ Stock Market, a testament to his foundational contributions to the financial infrastructure supporting technology growth. He also co-founded and chaired the Board of Directors of the Pacific Stock Exchange Technology Exchange. His career began in law, where he was a partner at a national law firm, providing him with a robust understanding of corporate governance and legal frameworks essential for startup success. He holds a Juris Doctor from UCLA School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts from UCLA.
Throughout his tenure, Bill Elkus has been associated with numerous successful investments that have reshaped various industries. While Clearstone's portfolio is extensive, notable companies that have benefited from the firm's backing and Mr. Elkus's strategic insight include PayPal, a pioneer in online payments, and Bill.com, a leading provider of cloud-based software that automates back-office financial operations. His deep industry knowledge and strategic vision continue to drive Clearstone's mission to empower the next generation of technology leaders.
Bill Elkus is a highly respected Managing Partner and co-founder of Clearstone, a prominent venture capital firm. He is known for his extensive experience in early-stage technology investments and his significant contributions to the financial and entrepreneurial ecosystems.
Bill Elkus primarily invests in early-stage technology companies across various sectors, including internet, software, digital media, fintech, and enterprise technology. He seeks out innovative business models and strong leadership teams.
Bill Elkus works as a Managing Partner at Clearstone, a venture capital firm he co-founded. Clearstone is based in Santa Monica, California.
