Heavybit

High-Level Overview

Heavybit is the leading early-stage venture capital firm dedicated exclusively to enterprise infrastructure startups. Its mission is to identify and empower visionary technical founders building the foundational technologies that shape how software is built, deployed, secured, and scaled. Heavybit invests with high conviction from Day 0, focusing on pre-seed and seed-stage companies that are redefining categories in infrastructure, cybersecurity, and enterprise software—especially those with a developer-first approach. The firm stands out for its hands-on, strategic support, deep domain expertise, and a robust global platform that helps startups navigate complex market conditions and scale rapidly. Heavybit’s impact is evident in its portfolio of breakout companies and its influence on the developer-first ecosystem, making it a go-to partner for technical founders aiming to build the future of enterprise technology.

Origin Story

Founded in 2013 and based in San Francisco, Heavybit was established by Tom Drummond, who remains its managing director. The firm emerged at a time when the enterprise software landscape was undergoing rapid transformation, driven by the rise of cloud computing, open-source tools, and a new generation of technical founders. Drummond, alongside general partner Joseph Ruscio, built Heavybit around the belief that the most transformative infrastructure companies are born from unique technical visions, often before the market recognizes their potential. Over the years, Heavybit has evolved from a specialist in developer tools to a broader authority on enterprise infrastructure, backing startups across 47 cities in 15 countries. Its early bets on now-iconic companies like Snyk, LaunchDarkly, Netlify, and CircleCI cemented its reputation as a forward-thinking, founder-centric investor.

Core Differentiators

• Unique Investment Model: Heavybit leads pre-seed and seed rounds globally, investing $500K–$5M in startups with a focus on technical founders and transformative ideas. It backs companies before they gain mainstream traction, often at the earliest stages of product development.
• Network Strength: The firm leverages a global community of advisors, founders, and industry experts, providing portfolio companies with access to strategic guidance, customer introductions, and operational mentorship.
• Track Record: Heavybit has a proven history of scaling startups through diverse market cycles, with a portfolio that includes category-defining companies in infrastructure and cybersecurity.
• Operating Support: Beyond capital, Heavybit offers structured go-to-market acceleration, hands-on product and sales execution support, and a content-driven platform that helps founders refine their vision and strategy.
• Founder-Centric Approach: The firm is known for its integrity, long-term partnership, and commitment to founders’ interests, offering support that is both strategic and deeply technical.

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

Heavybit is riding the wave of the “great flood of software”—a trend where AI, cloud-native architectures, and automation are making software development faster, more pervasive, and more accessible. As enterprises shift their IT budgets from labor to external software, and as AI-native infrastructure becomes critical, Heavybit is positioned at the forefront of this transformation. The firm’s focus on early-stage, technical founders aligns with the growing demand for new primitives and foundational platforms that can power the next generation of enterprise applications. By nurturing startups that build the underlying stack for AI, security, and developer productivity, Heavybit is shaping the future of how teams build, deploy, and scale software globally.

Quick Take & Future Outlook

Heavybit’s influence is set to grow as the enterprise infrastructure landscape continues to evolve. With the recent close of two new funds totaling over $180 million, the firm is poised to double down on its mission of backing founders who are reimagining the future of software. As AI reshapes enterprise budgets and creates new opportunities for infrastructure innovation, Heavybit’s deep expertise and founder-first approach will remain a critical bridge between vision and execution. The firm’s ability to identify and support technical founders early—before the world catches on—ensures it will continue to be a defining force in the startup ecosystem, helping to build the foundational technologies that power the next era of enterprise software. Heavybit’s story is a testament to the power of conviction, community, and hands-on support in shaping the future of technology.