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Brian Jacobs is the Co-founder and General Partner of Emergence Capital and the Founder of Moai Capital, based in San Mateo, California. Prior to establishing Emergence Capital in 2003, he spent a decade as a General Partner at St. Paul Venture Capital, where he helped grow the firm to over $3 billion in assets under management. Throughout his venture capital career, Jacobs has served on the boards of more than 50 companies, including 12 public entities and six unicorn-scale exits, backing notable enterprise software firms such as Salesforce, Zoom, and Bill.com. He previously worked as an engineer at Westinghouse, and holds degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Stanford Graduate School of Business, where he currently lectures. His current investment focus centers on early-stage B2B enterprise software and seed-stage climate technology startups.
Brian Jacobs, General Partner and co-founder at Emergence Capital, is a highly respected figure in the venture capital landscape, renowned for his deep expertise in enterprise software and cloud computing. As a driving force behind Emergence Capital, he has played a pivotal role in shaping the firm's strategy and its impressive track record of backing category-defining companies. His unique perspective, honed through years as an entrepreneur and executive, makes him a valuable partner for early-stage B2B technology ventures.
At Emergence Capital, Brian focuses on identifying and nurturing the next generation of enterprise cloud leaders. The firm is singularly dedicated to investing in early-stage enterprise software companies, a niche where Brian's insights are particularly impactful. His investment thesis centers on businesses that leverage cloud infrastructure, artificial intelligence, and innovative business models to solve complex problems for enterprises. Key areas of interest include SaaS platforms, data intelligence, cybersecurity, and solutions that redefine the future of work. He seeks out founders with bold visions and the operational acumen to execute them, providing strategic guidance from seed to scale.
Before co-founding Emergence Capital, Brian Jacobs built a distinguished career marked by entrepreneurial success and leadership roles. He co-founded and served as CEO of DeskNet Systems, a pioneering company in the internet services space, which was successfully acquired by MCI. Following the acquisition, he held significant executive positions at MCI, contributing to its growth and strategic direction. His earlier career also included impactful stints at Hewlett-Packard, where he gained foundational experience in technology and business development. This rich operational background provides him with an unparalleled understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by enterprise software startups, allowing him to empathize with and effectively mentor founders.
Brian's investment acumen is reflected in Emergence Capital's impressive portfolio, which includes some of the most successful enterprise technology companies of the past two decades. While many investments are collaborative, Brian has been instrumental in identifying and supporting companies that have achieved significant market leadership. Notable examples include Zoom, the ubiquitous video communications platform; Veeva Systems, a cloud-based software provider for the life sciences industry; and Bill.com, a leading provider of cloud-based software that automates back-office financial operations. These investments underscore his ability to spot transformative technologies and partner with exceptional teams to build enduring businesses. His commitment to long-term value creation and his hands-on approach make him a sought-after investor in the competitive venture capital ecosystem.
Brian Jacobs is a General Partner and co-founder at Emergence Capital, a prominent venture capital firm specializing in early-stage enterprise cloud software investments. He is also a seasoned entrepreneur.
Brian Jacobs primarily invests in early-stage enterprise cloud software companies, including SaaS platforms, AI solutions, data intelligence, cybersecurity, and technologies shaping the future of work.
Brian Jacobs works as a General Partner at Emergence Capital, a venture capital firm based in San Mateo, California.
