Market & Vision

    Sequoia Capital

    "The entrepreneurs behind the entrepreneurs"

    Sequoia Capital looks for companies that can become legendary—defining categories and transforming industries. They evaluate the complete narrative: from problem identification through market dynamics to long-term vision. Sequoia partners think in decades, not quarters, and they're looking for founders who can articulate why now is the moment for their company to exist.

    Founded
    1972
    Location
    Menlo Park, CA
    AUM
    $85B+
    Stage
    Seed to Late Stage

    "The best companies are built on secrets—things that are true that most people don't believe yet."

    MM
    Michael Moritz
    Former Chairman, Sequoia Capital

    Key Investment Principles

    Why Now?

    The most important question. What has changed that makes this the right moment for this company?

    Legendary Companies

    Sequoia seeks companies that will be remembered for generations, not just successful exits.

    Founder-Market Fit

    Founders must have a unique advantage or insight in their market.

    Clarity of Purpose

    The mission should be simple enough to explain in one sentence.

    What They Look For

    • Clear 'Why Now' moment with structural market change
    • Founders with unique insight or unfair advantage
    • Market timing aligned with major platform shifts
    • Potential for category-defining company
    • Clarity and simplicity in vision articulation
    • Strong competitive moat or defensibility
    • Team capable of multi-decade company building

    Red Flags

    • No clear answer to 'Why Now?'
    • Founders without unique market insight
    • Incremental improvements vs. transformative vision
    • Unclear competitive positioning
    • Team not capable of scaling to thousands
    • Short-term thinking or quick-flip mentality

    Scoring Dimensions

    Why Now
    25%

    Clarity on market timing and catalytic change

    Market Opportunity
    25%

    Size and trajectory of total addressable market

    Vision & Mission
    20%

    Clarity and ambition of long-term company vision

    Competitive Moat
    15%

    Defensibility and sustainable advantage

    Team Excellence
    15%

    Caliber and track record of founding team

    Investment Profile

    Ideal Founder

    Visionary with unique market insight, capable of building a generational company

    Typical Check Size

    $1M-$100M+ (seed to growth)

    Notable Portfolio Companies
    Apple
    Google
    WhatsApp
    YouTube
    Nvidia
    Zoom