StarVest Partners has a differentiated position in the VC community. The firm's differentiation is derived from the combination of the following characteristics:
- A history of success in targeted investment sectors — technology-enabled business services.
- A geographical focus on all U.S. business centers.
- A research-driven, proactive investment process.
- A demonstrated ability to help drive portfolio company revenue.

StarVest differentiates itself through its expertise and deep domain knowledge of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), a key area of opportunity for StarVest. The firm has invested in many successful SaaS companies such as NetSuite and started investing in SaaS companies as early as 1999.

When Starvest invests in geographic areas that are less well served by either national or local venture firms (such as Arizona, Austin, Chicago), its industry expertise is a major attraction for potential portfolio companies. This is because the firm has more extensive domain knowledge than most other venture funds. This allows for potential partnerships and customer introductions through contacts in New York that are in a target industry or customer base. These potential portfolio companies value having a New York-based investor with extensive relationships within the advertising, financial services, media, publishing industries with a wide network of Fortune 1000 executives.

Essentially,Starvest invests in the following industries: Human Capital Management, E-Commerce, Infrastructure, Big Data & Analytics, Vertically focused Software-as-a-Service, Internet Marketing Services, Data and Content Services, Identity and Security Management, Financial Services; Advertising, Media and Entertainment; Retailing, Consumer Products and Telecommunications.

Notable investments include: NetSuite Inc (SaaS, NYSE: N), PrecisionDemand (Data as a Service & SaaS), RAMP (SaaS/Content Optimization platform), Receivables Exchange (Online marketplace for accounts receivable), RetailNext (Retail store customer analytics) and Take the Interview (Cloud-based interview management platform).