Investment Thesis
Investing in the world's best seed stage cybersecurity founders, aiming to solve the industry's most pressing challenges.
Details
Stage focus:
Seed
Sector focus:
Cybersecurity
Geographic focus:
Global, with an emphasis on Israel
What we look for in founders:
The expertise and ambition to tackle massive cybersecurity challenges, paired with the humility to do so with grit and relentless dedication to execution.
Why companies choose us:
Holly Ventures delivers outsized value and support to founders, working alongside the top cybersecurity investors in the world and consistently providing the highest ROI per dollar invested in the industry.
John Brennan is the Founder & Managing Partner of Holly Ventures, a $33M seed stage venture capital fund that exclusively invests in and supports cybersecurity entrepreneurs at their earliest stages. John is dedicated to working with founders on the tactical and strategic challenges that come with founding cybersecurity startups, and aims to serve as a bridge between his portfolio companies and the security communities that they serve. Having previously held roles at YL Ventures, DCVC, OCA Ventures, and Horsley Bridge Partners, John also holds an MBA from the University of Chicago and a Bachelor of Science from Trinity College in Connecticut.
Expertise / Focus Areas:
Seed Stage Cybersecurity Investing
Our Values
Investing in people first
Startup building is a long and dynamic path. While markets change, and ideas evolve, Holly Ventures invests in high integrity founders with the intent to partner through good times and bad, throughout the full company lifecycle.
Solving real problems
While Founders are the most important ingredient in any investment, Holly Ventures acknowledges the crowded and competitive nature of the cybersecurity startup ecosystem, and works with real buyers and budget holders on solving the problems that are most critical to their organizations' success.
Collaborating to win
As a smaller firm with a tighter focus than most investors, Holly serves as a true partner to its founders and co-investors. By writing smaller checks, we encourage founders to optimize their cap tables, beginning at the seed stage, and with a hands-on approach to company support, Holly works well with top tier security investors of all shapes and sizes.