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Nakul Mandan

Investor

Venture Partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners · Partner at Audacious

US

Writes $1M – $5M checks

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About

Nakul Mandan is the founder of Audacious Ventures, an early stage venture firm focused on backing ambitious product founders going after very large markets. Before starting Audacious, he was a Partner at Lightspeed and earlier spent time at Battery Ventures, where over the past decade he led or was involved in investments across AI, enterprise software, marketplaces, and fintech. He centers his approach on two ingredients he sees as decisive — large markets and A+ teams — and works closely with portfolio founders on recruiting top talent. He also hosts a podcast, Knuckle Up with Nakul, where he interviews founders about how they build outlier companies. In 2024 he announced Audacious 2.0, a $150M second fund for seed stage founders.

Contact· published on Nakul's own website

Invests in

AI & Machine LearningClimate TechCloud ComputingCrypto & Web3Developer ToolsEdTechEnterprise SoftwareFintechFuture of WorkMarketplacesSaaS

Beyond investing

Founded
Founded Audacious Ventures, an early stage VC firm.
More
Hosts a podcast called Knuckle Up with Nakul, interviewing founders about how they build outlier companies.

From Nakul's own website — common ground for a warm intro.

Deals · 2

Multiverse GroupBoard seat

via Audacious · filed Jun 2024 · $5M raise

FortressIQBoard seat

via Audacious · filed Oct 2020 · $30M raise

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

Other disclosed investments

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

Podcasts & interviews

featuring Nakul Mandan

How a first-time CEO is taking on Google: No process, no NPC hires, and extreme shipping velocity

Knuckle Up with Nakul

Writing

All posts ↗
Unlearn Everything Now!2026-02-16

The author argues that VCs, founders, and engineers must discard old benchmarks and playbooks because AI has upended assumptions about growth, team size, capital needs, and how products are built.»

Colleagues at Lightspeed Venture Partners

Aaron Frank
Venture Partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners
Aaron Frank
Executive Officer, Director at Advanced Aircraft
Alex Lapolice
Investor at Lightspeed Venture Partners
Alex Taussig
Partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners
Alexa Boghosian
Partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners
Alexander Schmitt
Partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners
Alyssa Walker
Vice President, Investor Relations at Lightspeed Venture Partners
Amanda Frink
Vice President, HR at Lightspeed Venture Partners

Network1

Bobby Lo
Angel

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

Frequently asked questions

Who is Nakul Mandan?
Nakul Mandan is the founder of Audacious Ventures, an early stage venture firm focused on backing ambitious product founders going after very large markets. Before starting Audacious, he was a Partner at Lightspeed and earlier spent time at Battery Ventures, where over the past decade he led or was involved in investments across AI, enterprise software, marketplaces, and fintech. He centers his approach on two ingredients he sees as decisive — large markets and A+ teams — and works closely with portfolio founders on recruiting top talent. He also hosts a podcast, Knuckle Up with Nakul, where he interviews founders about how they build outlier companies. In 2024 he announced Audacious 2.0, a $150M second fund for seed stage founders.
Where does Nakul Mandan work?
Nakul Mandan is Venture Partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners and Partner at Audacious.
What does Nakul Mandan invest in?
Nakul Mandan invests in AI & Machine Learning, Climate Tech, Cloud Computing, Crypto & Web3, Developer Tools, EdTech, Enterprise Software, Fintech, Future of Work, Marketplaces, SaaS.
What check size does Nakul Mandan write?
Nakul Mandan typically writes checks of $1M – $5M.
What boards does Nakul Mandan sit on?
Nakul Mandan holds tracked board seats at Building Connected, Elastic Projects, FortressIQ, Multiverse Group.
What companies has Nakul Mandan invested in?
Investments tracked here include 6Sense, Abstract, Avoca, Backstory, Building Connected, Curious Cardinals, Decagon, Delphix, Flint, FortressIQ, Gainsight, Inc., Implied, and 18 more.
What has Nakul Mandan written?
Nakul Mandan has 1 tracked post on nakulmandan.com, including "Unlearn Everything Now!".
What podcasts and interviews feature Nakul Mandan?
Tracked appearances include "How a first-time CEO is taking on Google: No process, no NPC hires, and extreme shipping velocity".

About this profile. Compiled from public sources — Lightspeed Venture Partners's own website, regulatory filings, press coverage and public professional profiles — and summarised by Fundraising Fox; every fact is kept with where it came from. Spotted an error, or would rather not be listed? Email privacy@fundraisingfox.com · How we build profiles · Your rights