Erik Buchanan
InvestorPartner at C3 Ventures
Los Angeles, California
Writes $100K – $1M checks · typically $500K
About
Erik Buchanan is Head of AI at Semgrep. He has experience in malware analysis, large-scale cloud infrastructure, recruiting technology, and leading AI teams at LinkedIn and Microsoft. His background spans product development, data systems, and AI-driven business initiatives.
Experience
- SemgrepHead of AIcurrent2025 — presentCalifornia, United States
- C3 VenturesFounder and Partnercurrent2017 — presentSan Francisco Bay Area
- CloseFactorCo-founder and CTO2020 — 2024California, United States
- LinkedInHead of Artificial Intelligence for Hiring Products, Chief AI Evangelist2017 — 2020San Francisco Bay Area
- LinkedInSenior Software Engineering Manager2016 — 2017San Francisco Bay Area
- Connectifier, Inc.VP Engineering2012 — 2020Newport Beach, CA
- GoogleSoftware Engineer2010 — 2013Irvine, CA
- WebsenseSecurity Researcher2008 — 2010San Diego County, California, United States
- UC San DiegoTeaching Assistant2005 — 2008
- MicrosoftSoftware Engineer: Windows Azure Storage2008Redmond, WA
- GoogleSoftware Engineer Intern2007Mountain View, CA
- IntuitSoftware Engineer: TurboTax Payment Systems2007
- NASA ISS EarthKAMJava/C++ Team Lead2004 — 2006San Diego County, California, United States
- MicrosoftSoftware Development Engineer in Test2006Redmond, WA
- LinspireSoftware Engineer Intern2005San Diego County, California, United States
Education
- UC San DiegoBachelor's degree, Computer Science
- UC San DiegoGraduate research, Security
Skills & more
Engineering LeadershipMachine Learning4Java14Management2Software Engineering12Software Development12Distributed Systems10Algorithms8Computer Science7Object Oriented Design4Software Design3Programming3
+12 more
OOPDesign PatternsDebuggingWeb ApplicationsGame DevelopmentArtificial IntelligenceComputer SecurityLinuxC++CSQLEclipseLanguages English · Spanish
From Erik's professional profile.
Colleagues at C3 Ventures
Network8
Ben DavenportScout
Venture Partner at Blockchain Capital
Igor RyabenkiyScout
Founder and Managing Partner at AltaIR Capital
Justin MateenScout
Founding Partner at Jam Fund
Wei GuoScout
Founding Partner at UpHonest Capital
Ben McCann
Advisor at C3 Ventures
David Marcus
Investor at FELIX CAPITAL
Edson Rigonatti
Co-founder & General Partner at Astella
Patrick Chung
General Partner at Xfund
Investors connected to Erik in public investor directories — a warm-intro map.
Frequently asked questions
- Where does Erik Buchanan work?
- Erik Buchanan is Partner at C3 Ventures.
- What check size does Erik Buchanan write?
- Erik Buchanan typically writes checks of $100K – $1M.
Founder mafias
UC San Diego mafia108
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Elad GilBAFounded Brain Co.Phillip SamayoaPhDFounded Codiak BioSciences +2Sean AinsworthB.S.Founded RetroSense Therapeutics +1Erik T. EngelsonMSFounded Medina Medical +1Sasha OrloffBSFounded LendUp +1Rod EbrahimiBachelor of Science - BSFounded Ready For Zero +1
+ 101 more
Same school
Also attended UC San Diego288
Elad GilSolo general partner investing through Gil CapitalMark SusterManaging Partner at Upfront VenturesBirgitteInvestor at InvestinorHouman HaghighiPartner, Business & Corporate Development at Menlo VenturesFreya Svedberg-KeatingInvestor at MedicxiJamie MontgomeryCo-Founder & Managing Partner at March Capital Partners
+ 282 more
Shared employers
Also worked at Semgrep4
Also worked at LinkedIn176
Peter ThielCo-founder & Partner at Founders FundReid HoffmanCo-founder of LinkedIn; Partner at GreylockKeith RaboisManaging Director at Khosla VenturesDavid SzeAdvisory Partner at GreylockJeremy LevinePartner at Bessemer Venture PartnersDeep NisharInvestment Team at General Catalyst
+ 170 more
Also worked at Connectifier, Inc.2
Also worked at Google1,559
Ron ConwayFounder of SV AngelElad GilSolo general partner investing through Gil CapitalBrian SingermanCo-founder of GPx; Partner Emeritus at Founders FundJess LeePartner and Chief Product Officer at Sequoia CapitalTomasz TunguzFounder & General Partner at Theory VenturesHunter WalkCo-founder & Partner at Homebrew
+ 1,553 more