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Ben Yu

Investor

Managing Partner, Sierra Ventures Investment Team at Sierra Ventures

San Francisco Bay Area

Writes $500K – $15M checks · typically $7.8M

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About

Ben Yu is a Managing Partner on the Sierra Ventures investment team, focusing on emerging applications and deep tech including sensors, chips, AI, robotics, and quantum computing. Trained as an engineer with a PhD, he began his career as an inventor before joining Sierra Ventures as a Venture Partner in 1999 to build telecom and networking companies. His current interests include AI and robotics for traditional industries, crypto and blockchain infrastructure, and fintech.

Contact· self-published, not guessed

Invests in

AI & Machine LearningDeep TechDefense TechDeveloper ToolsEnergyEnterprise SoftwareHardwareNew MaterialsQuantum ComputingRoboticsSaaSSemiconductorsSpace Tech

Experience

  1. Sierra VenturesManaging Partnercurrent2000 — presentSan Francisco Bay Area
  2. KrispBoard Membercurrent2019 — present
  3. Podcastle Inc.Board Membercurrent2020 — presentArmenia
  4. 10Web.ioBoard Membercurrent2021 — present
  5. DeepHowBoard Membercurrent2021 — present
  6. Q-CTRLInvestorcurrent2019 — present
  7. NextInputMember Board of Directors2015 — 2021San Francisco Bay Area
  8. InvensenseBoard Director2008 — 2017San Francisco Bay Area
  9. 喜马拉雅FMInvestor2013 — 2016Shanghai, China
  10. AuthenTecBoard Director2003 — 2008Melbourne, Florida, United States

Skills & more

Technology Evaluation62International Operations56Start-ups99Venture Capital99Semiconductors99Strategic Partnerships99Product Management73Analytics15Corporate Development46Cloud Computing60Mobile Applications23IPO15
+12 moreEntrepreneurshipPrivate EquityBusiness DevelopmentWirelessProduct DevelopmentICMobile DevicesCompetitive AnalysisSaaSManagementEnterprise SoftwareEmbedded Software

Languages Chinese · English

From Ben's professional profile.

Deals · 2

DeepHowBoard seat

via Sierra Ventures · filed May 2025 · $5M raise

Cnex LabsBoard seat

via Sierra Ventures · filed Mar 2021 · $30M raise

Attribution from SEC filings, press coverage, and firm rosters.

Other disclosed investments

Investor

10Web800APPAkasha ImagingApplied MicroStructuresAsyncAugmentusAuthenTecAuthenTechCirrascaleCitconCoreTigoEverestLabsEverestlabs.AIExpert IntelligenceFalcon Computing SolutionsFriendliAIGhost FinancialHammoqIgnition Design LabsInterplay LearningInvenSenseInvisible AIJoyK4ConnectKrispKyros.aiMicro PowerModulateMovandimSilicaMultigigNextInputNovariantOmniexParacerQ-CTRLQeexoQuadratic 3DQuintessentRegulus CyberRevalia BioSemEquipSocial TouchSyChipTempoThetaTheta EdgeCloudTheta LabsTrendsiValere PowerVeeR (Velocious)Velocious TechnologiesVeriSilicon HoldingsXimalaya FMZenda

Sources: SEC Form D filings · curated public sources · the firm's website.

Colleagues at Sierra Ventures

Anne Gherini
Chief Marketing Officer at Sierra Ventures
Brendon Schmidt
Principal & Head of Business Development at Sierra Ventures
Daniel Paredes
Investor at Sierra Ventures
Dora Prado
Executive Assistant at Sierra Ventures
Grace Chen
VP of Finance at Sierra Ventures
Indra Husfeld
Office and Finance Coordinator at Sierra Ventures
Jim Doehrman
Advisor at Sierra Ventures
Jing Liong
Investor and Head of Data at Sierra Ventures

Network12

Bradley HorowitzScout
Investor at Wisdom Ventures
Simon LeveneScout
Co-founder and Partner at Mosaic Ventures
Sriram ViswanathanScout
Founding Managing Partner at Celesta Capital
Yi-Jian NgoScout
Investor at Sierra Ventures
Aaron Tong
Investor at Sierra Ventures
Adam Dawkins
Analyst at Sierra Ventures
Brian Wilcove
Managing Partner at America's Frontier Fund
Chris Saum
Investment Partner at Active Capital
Ipsita Roy
Investor at Sierra Ventures
Jim Doehrman
Advisor at Sierra Ventures
Mark Fernandes
Managing Partner at Sierra Ventures
Tej Kanani
Investor at Sierra Ventures

Investors connected to Ben in public investor directories — a warm-intro map.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Ben Yu?
Ben Yu is a Managing Partner on the Sierra Ventures investment team, focusing on emerging applications and deep tech including sensors, chips, AI, robotics, and quantum computing. Trained as an engineer with a PhD, he began his career as an inventor before joining Sierra Ventures as a Venture Partner in 1999 to build telecom and networking companies. His current interests include AI and robotics for traditional industries, crypto and blockchain infrastructure, and fintech.
Where does Ben Yu work?
Ben Yu is Managing Partner, Sierra Ventures Investment Team at Sierra Ventures.
What does Ben Yu invest in?
Ben Yu invests in AI & Machine Learning, Deep Tech, Defense Tech, Developer Tools, Energy, Enterprise Software, Hardware, New Materials, Quantum Computing, Robotics, SaaS, Semiconductors, Space Tech.
What check size does Ben Yu write?
Ben Yu typically writes checks of $500K – $15M.
What boards does Ben Yu sit on?
Ben Yu holds tracked board seats at Cnex Labs, DeepHow.
What companies has Ben Yu invested in?
Investments tracked here include 10Web, 800APP, Akasha Imaging, Applied MicroStructures, Async, Augmentus, AuthenTec, AuthenTech, Cirrascale, Citcon, Cnex Labs, CoreTigo, and 45 more.
Where did Ben Yu go to school?
Ben Yu studied at Princeton University (Ph.D., Electrical and Electronics Engineering).

Same school

Shared employers