Blake Bartlett

Blake Bartlett stands as a distinguished Partner at Openview Venture Partners, a leading venture capital firm renowned for its focus on expansion-stage software companies. As a pivotal figure in the firm, Bartlett plays a crucial role in identifying and nurturing the next generation of B2B SaaS and cloud software innovators. His investment philosophy is deeply rooted in understanding market shifts and backing companies that demonstrate strong product-market fit and sustainable growth potential.

A true thought leader in the venture capital ecosystem, Blake Bartlett is widely credited with coining and popularizing the term "Product-Led Growth" (PLG). This strategic approach, which emphasizes the product itself as the primary driver of customer acquisition, retention, and expansion, has become a cornerstone for many successful software businesses today. Bartlett's insights into PLG have not only shaped Openview's investment thesis but have also provided invaluable guidance to countless startups striving for efficient, scalable growth. He actively shares his expertise through articles, presentations, and industry discussions, cementing his reputation as a visionary in the B2B software space.

Bartlett's career trajectory is marked by a deep commitment to technology and strategic analysis. Before joining Openview, he honed his investment acumen at Battery Ventures, a global technology-focused investment firm. This experience provided him with a robust foundation in evaluating high-growth technology companies across various stages. Prior to his venture capital career, Blake gained significant strategic consulting experience at Bain & Company, where he advised clients on critical business challenges. He further solidified his business expertise by earning an MBA from Harvard Business School, following his undergraduate studies at Dartmouth College. This diverse background equips him with a comprehensive understanding of both the operational and financial aspects of building successful technology companies.

At Openview Venture Partners, Blake Bartlett is instrumental in sourcing, evaluating, and supporting portfolio companies. His keen eye for disruptive technologies and his ability to identify strong leadership teams have led to several notable investments. Among the companies he has been associated with through Openview's portfolio are industry leaders such as Calendly, a widely used scheduling platform; Datadog, a prominent monitoring and analytics platform for cloud applications; Expensify, a leading expense management solution; and Kustomer, a customer service platform acquired by Meta. These investments underscore his ability to spot companies poised for significant impact and growth within their respective markets.

Blake Bartlett's contributions extend beyond capital deployment. He is a hands-on investor who actively collaborates with founders and management teams, offering strategic guidance on product development, go-to-market strategies, and scaling operations. His dedication to fostering innovation and his profound understanding of the software landscape make him an invaluable partner for entrepreneurs aiming to build enduring, category-defining businesses. Through his work at Openview, Bartlett continues to shape the future of B2B software, championing companies that are not only technologically advanced but also strategically positioned for long-term success through product-led approaches.