Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, known as Kleiner Perkins, is a Silicon Valley venture capital firm founded in 1972 and based in Menlo Park, California. Managing more than $10 billion in assets, the firm partners with founders to build high-impact businesses across technology and life sciences. Over five decades, Kleiner Perkins has backed companies such as Amazon, Google, Netscape, Spotify and Genentech, helping shape how software, consumer services and biotech deliver value.
The firm allocates capital to companies at stages from early to growth in areas including enterprise software, consumer technology, financial services, healthcare, education, internet infrastructure and gaming. Its portfolio spans artificial intelligence, automation, productivity tools, streaming platforms, e-commerce, data security, medical devices and mental health solutions. Kleiner Perkins maintains a research-driven approach, drawing insights from published trends, podcasts and industry analysis to guide its investment decisions.
Starting in the late 2000s, the firm was an early backer of clean energy startups, supporting companies such as Nest Labs, Enphase Energy and oPower that advanced home efficiency and solar technology. It has also invested in battery innovators including Ionic Materials, and Aquion Energy’s saltwater systems. Acknowledging the capital intensity of energy ventures, Kleiner Perkins continues to commit funds through vehicles like KP21 and KP Select III to hardtech and sustainability innovations that may require longer timeframes for returns.
