Santa Barbara Venture Partners (SBVP) is a California-based venture capital firm focused on investing in high-growth software and AI companies. The firm is known for integrating deep go-to-market expertise into its investment model, offering an unusually hands-on approach in customer acquisition, marketing strategy, and revenue acceleration. Founded with the goal of overcoming traditional illiquidity and time horizon constraints in venture capital, SBVP targets fast-growing, capital-efficient businesses with strong retention and clear product-market fit.
SBVP invests in software and AI companies with $2 million to $50 million in recurring revenue, growing at 75% to 200%+ annually. The firm typically invests in Series A through Series C rounds, or directly purchases stock from founders and early shareholders. Its portfolio companies are expected to demonstrate strong client retention and scalable business models.
SBVP specializes in backing companies that can benefit from enhanced sales and marketing execution and are already showing traction.
In August 2025, SBVP announced the raise of its $25 million second fund, following the top-quartile performance of Fund I and six full or partial exits over a five-year period. Fund II continues the firm's differentiated strategy of actively supporting revenue growth through a unique network of operator LPs and marketing professionals.
With 150+ investors across two funds and fourteen SPVs, SBVP leverages a curated base of limited partners who are top marketing and sales executives from firms including:
These LPs are actively involved in helping portfolio companies across more than 25 customer acquisition methods, including demand generation, SEM, media buying, account-based marketing, revops, branding, and channel development.
Leadership
The firm is led by a core team based in Santa Barbara, with deep operating and investment experience across SaaS, enterprise software, and digital marketing. SBVP’s strategic approach is rooted in a belief that targeted operational support, especially in go-to-market execution, is a powerful lever for value creation in mid-stage software companies.
Investment Strategy
SBVP combines growth-stage capital with hands-on marketing and sales enablement, setting it apart from traditional VCs. The fund prioritizes companies that are already showing strong revenue growth and retention, and then accelerates that momentum through tailored support in customer acquisition, demand generation, and revenue operations. It seeks to generate consistent returns by reducing execution risk and by investing in companies where limited partners can provide immediate strategic impact.
The firm also addresses venture capital’s traditional illiquidity problem by participating in secondary transactions and generating earlier return pathways, offering LPs exposure to value creation with greater flexibility.
Notable Investments
SBVP has invested in fourteen companies across its two funds and fourteen SPVs. While specific portfolio company names are not publicly listed, the firm reports six full or partial exits, and all current portfolio companies are performing well five years in. SBVP’s portfolio spans SaaS, enterprise software, and AI-powered platforms.
Notable Exits
SBVP reports six full or partial exits from Fund I, contributing to the fund’s top quartile performance relative to its vintage. Individual exit details have not been disclosed publicly.
