Greg Sands

GREG SANDS

Managing Director at Costanoa Ventures

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About

Greg Sands is the founder and a Managing Director at Costanoa Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm. He specializes in identifying and backing transformative B2B SaaS and enterprise software companies. His investment focus spans areas like data infrastructure, AI/ML, and developer tools, helping founders build category-defining businesses.

Experience

Deep Dive

Greg Sands stands as a prominent figure in the venture capital landscape, serving as the founder and a Managing Director at Costanoa Ventures. His leadership has positioned Costanoa as a leading early-stage firm dedicated to investing in the next generation of enterprise technology companies. At Costanoa, Greg is instrumental in guiding the firm's investment strategy, focusing on Seed and Series A rounds for B2B SaaS, enterprise software, data infrastructure, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and developer tools.

Sands' investment philosophy is deeply rooted in his extensive experience and a keen eye for disruptive innovation. He is known for partnering with ambitious founders who are building scalable, product-led companies that address critical business needs. His approach emphasizes strong product market fit, robust business models, and a clear path to market leadership. He actively supports portfolio companies with strategic guidance, leveraging his vast network and operational insights to help them navigate growth challenges and achieve significant milestones.

Before founding Costanoa Ventures, Greg Sands built an impressive career marked by significant contributions to the tech and venture capital sectors. He spent 13 years as a Partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners, where he honed his expertise in early-stage investing and played a key role in numerous successful ventures. Prior to his tenure at Lightspeed, Sands held a pivotal role as the Vice President of Finance at Netscape Communications, where he was part of the executive team that guided the company through its groundbreaking IPO. His earlier career included stints at General Atlantic Partners and Morgan Stanley, providing him with a comprehensive understanding of finance, strategy, and market dynamics. Greg holds an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business and a BA from Harvard University.

Throughout his career, Greg has backed many notable companies that have gone on to achieve significant success and impact. His portfolio includes investments in companies such as Alation, a leader in data cataloging; Apptio, an IT financial management solution acquired by Vista Equity Partners; Demandbase, an account-based marketing platform; Kustomer, a customer service CRM acquired by Meta; LeanData, specializing in sales operations automation; and Intacct, a cloud financial management software acquired by Sage. These investments underscore his ability to identify and nurture companies that redefine their respective industries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Greg Sands?

Greg Sands is the founder and a Managing Director at Costanoa Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm. He is a seasoned investor with a strong focus on B2B SaaS and enterprise technology companies.

What does Greg Sands invest in?

Greg Sands primarily invests in early-stage (Seed and Series A) B2B SaaS, enterprise software, data infrastructure, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and developer tools companies. He looks for transformative businesses solving critical enterprise problems.

Where does Greg Sands work?

Greg Sands works at Costanoa Ventures, the venture capital firm he founded. He serves as a Managing Director, leading investments and guiding the firm's strategic direction.