Blue Cloud Ventures (BCV) is a New York-based venture growth firm founded in 2012 by Rami Rahal, Mir Arif, and Joel Lou. The firm invests in growth-stage enterprise software companies; SaaS, infrastructure, and open-source, with a focus on backing category-defining businesses in the age of AI. With the final close of BCV V, the firm now manages over $1 billion in assets across five funds and a portfolio of 50+ companies.BCV's defining structural advantage is its LP base: over 100 technology founders and CEOs who invest across fund generations, creating a feedback loop of deal sourcing, customer introductions, and hiring support for portfolio companies. The firm also operates an international LP network spanning Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, which provides portfolio companies with global expansion support.
BCV invests in growth-stage enterprise software companies with $10–50 million in ARR and an expected exit horizon of three to five years.
The firm's AI-first thesis targets companies building in application and infrastructure layers around AI, not foundation models, including AI-native SaaS platforms, IoT security, content infrastructure, software supply chain security, and generative AI for the enterprise.
BCV backs companies in North America, Canada, and Europe.
Blue Cloud Ventures V (BCV V) reached final close in June 2026. Fund size is not publicly disclosed; the close brings total firm AUM past $1 billion. BCV typically invests $10–30 million as lead, co-lead, or co-investor.
BCV IV closed at $350 million in December 2021. BCV V recorded its first liquidity event when Zendesk acquired Forethought in March 2026, just 11 months after BCV led Forethought's $25 million growth round in April 2025.
LPs include top-tier institutional investors, family offices, and an extensive network of tech founders and executives, many of whom have backed BCV across multiple fund generations.
Leadership
Rami Rahal is Co-Founder and Managing Partner, leading investment decisions and external positioning. He studied at Columbia University's Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science and was named to Crain's New York Business 40 Under 40 in 2018.
Mir Arif is Co-Founder and Managing Partner.
Joel Lou is Co-Founder and Operating Partner, based in Singapore, leading firm operations and LP relations. He studied at Imperial College London. All three have invested together across all five BCV funds over 14 years.
Investment Strategy
BCV writes $10–30 million growth checks into enterprise software companies with established ARR, taking a hands-on approach to strategy, recruiting, and customer introductions. Beyond capital, the firm provides three pillars of value: operational expertise through its 100+ tech founder and CEO LP network; global expansion support via international LPs and operating partners across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia; and specialized capital raising and M&A deal execution leveraging the investment banking backgrounds of the team. BCV does not seek board control or outsized ownership.
Notable Investments
Notable Exits
Christine@bluecloudventures.com
Rami Rahal — Co-Founder & Managing Partner
rrahal@bluecloudventures.com
Joel Lou — Co-Founder & Operating Partner
jlou@bluecloudventures.com
Mir Arif — Co-Founder & Managing Partner
United States
