Insight Partners, legally Insight Venture Management, LLC and formerly known as Insight Venture Partners, is a global venture capital and private equity firm that invests in software and internet businesses. Headquartered in New York City, the firm also maintains offices in London, Tel Aviv, and Palo Alto. As of April 2025, Insight Partners manages approximately $90 billion in assets under management, making it one of the largest technology-focused investment firms globally.
The firm was founded in 1995 by Jeff Horing and Jerry Murdock. Over its three decades of operation, Insight Partners has evolved from a growth-equity investor into a diversified investment platform, backing more than 875 companies as of June 30, 2025. Its portfolio spans early-stage startups to mature enterprises, with a particular emphasis on software, data, and Artificial intelligence companies.
History and Growth
Insight Partners began in 1995 with a focus on growth-stage technology investments. In April 2021, the firm raised $1.56 billion for the Insight Partners Opportunities Fund I LP, a separate vehicle from its primary growth funds. That same year, it committed $15 million to the Vision Capital 2020 LP Fund, which supports minority-led firms raising early-stage funds. In May 2021, Insight led a $75 million Series C round for an undisclosed company, with participation from Zeev Ventures, Emerge, F2 Venture Capital, 01 Advisors, Dynamic Loop Capital, Fort Ross Ventures, and Vintage Investment Partners, bringing the company's total funding to approximately $127 million.
In February 2022, Insight announced it had raised $20 billion for its twelfth flagship fund, more than doubling the size of its previous flagship fund. This raised its cumulative capital raised to over $50 billion at the time. In July 2022, the firm established the Enterprise Technology Exchange (ETX), an advisory group designed to help emerging IT companies navigate uncertain markets.
In September 2024, Mastercard acquired cybersecurity company Recorded Future for $2.65 billion from Insight Partners, a notable exit for the firm. On October 25, 2024, Insight Partners experienced a ransomware breach that affected over 12,000 users, described as a 'sophisticated social engineering attack.' The breach compromised sensitive data, including banking, tax, and personal information of employees, as well as details related to limited partners and portfolio companies. The breach was resolved on January 16, 2025, and victims were notified in September 2025.
In January 2025, Insight raised $12.5 billion across its thirteenth flagship fund and a separate structured-equity vehicle, demonstrating continued fundraising momentum. In December 2025, the firm appointed General Timothy D. Haugh, USAF (Ret.), former Director of the National Security Agency and Commander of U.S. Cyber Command, to its Government Advisory Board. In January 2026, Kate Lowry, a former vice president, sued the firm alleging disability discrimination, gender discrimination, and wrongful termination. Also in January 2026, Insight acquired Venn, a quantitative investment analytics tool, from Two Sigma for an undisclosed amount, planning to merge it with its own portfolio management and analytics tool, Solovis.
Investment Focus and Portfolio
Insight Partners focuses on software and internet businesses, with a strong emphasis on Artificial intelligence and Machine learning companies. The firm has invested in over 875 companies as of June 30, 2025. Its portfolio includes prominent names such as OpenAI, Anthropic, Databricks, Wiz Inc., Udemy, Lightricks, Hootsuite, Monday.com, SentinelOne, Shopify, and Moon Active. These investments span sectors including cybersecurity, developer tools, e-commerce, and productivity software.
The firm's strategy often involves taking significant minority stakes and providing operational support to accelerate growth. Insight has been particularly active in the AI space, backing companies that develop Large language model technologies and other advanced AI systems. Its investment in OpenAI and Anthropic positions it at the forefront of the Generative AI revolution.
Operations and Approach
Media coverage has described Insight's sourcing approach as heavily outbound, supported by an analyst program that identifies software companies. The firm employs an internal 'Onsite' team that provides portfolio support, including expertise in sales, marketing, product development, and talent acquisition. This hands-on approach distinguishes Insight from many traditional venture capital firms.
Insight's operations are structured around multiple fund types, including flagship growth funds, opportunity funds, and structured-equity vehicles. The firm's analyst program is a key differentiator, with a large team of analysts dedicated to market research and deal sourcing. The Onsite team, meanwhile, works directly with portfolio companies to drive operational improvements and scale.
Recent Developments and Governance
In recent years, Insight has expanded its governance and advisory capabilities. The appointment of General Haugh to its Government Advisory Board reflects a focus on cybersecurity and national security issues, particularly relevant given the firm's investments in security software. The acquisition of Venn from Two Sigma in January 2026 aims to enhance Insight's internal analytics capabilities, integrating Venn with Solovis to improve portfolio management and reporting.
The ransomware breach in October 2024 was a significant event for the firm, prompting a review of its cybersecurity practices. The firm resolved the breach in January 2025 and notified affected individuals in September 2025, highlighting the growing importance of cybersecurity in the investment industry.
Insight Partners continues to be a major player in global venture capital, with a track record of backing transformative technology companies. Its focus on AI and software positions it well for future growth, as these sectors remain central to technological innovation.