NEA vs Lightspeed vs Bessemer
Any idea how you’d rank these guys in comparison to one another?
All stellar funds with great performance, but trying to gauge which would be the best to join given an opportunity to join as an associate.
Based on the most helpful WSO content, here's a breakdown of NEA, Lightspeed, and Bessemer to help you evaluate them:
NEA (New Enterprise Associates):
Lightspeed Venture Partners:
Bessemer Venture Partners:
Key Factors to Consider:
Ultimately, the "best" choice depends on your career aspirations, preferred working environment, and sector interests. All three are stellar funds, so you can't go wrong!
Sources: EB Comparisons, NEA Office Locations? Are some back-office supoort functions?, Top Venture Capitals that hire juniors?, Best PE Analyst Programs vs Opportunity Cost (top IB), On Exit Ops
All 3 are top tier brands and will give you a great foundation. Among those 3 though, Bessemer is a cut above in terms of performance, culture, and career development.
Super helpful— would have thought LSVP but interesting to hear BVP is the strongest in your opinion
avoid Lightspeed at all costs LOL they are definitely not the same tier anymore. NEA is safe but Bessemer is still top.
Bessemer is best for talent development for entry level. NEA is good but depends on which group/partner.
LSVP culture is not great, would avoid.
Any more insight on why culture is bad?
Which groups at NEA are strongest?
Not sure where other posters are coming from...
But in terms of which term sheet a given founder is likely to take it is gonna fall Lightspeed > BVP >> NEA almost every time. Lightspeed is the strongest brand.
This was my understanding, thought they had the best brand reputation, but sounds like LSVP culture is bad?
Rather than go off WSO yap, talk to current and former Lightspeed folks.
I get the sense that a big driver of that rank choice is Lightspeed's propensity to "pay up"...
LSVP returns have been subpar, they overpay which is why founders love them but from a career perspective I'd go Bessemer and then NEA before Lightspeed.
Lightspeed has huge volatility in partner quality. There are a very small number of heavy hitters (Ravi Mhatre, Arif, Jeremy Liew) and a huge number of mediocre investors. They have had high churn over the years, and it's not a particularly great environment for junior career development.
Bessemer has a wider breadth of GPs and junior partners who are very good investors. Historically they have done a much better job of apprenticing junior talent. BVP has a unique structure though, where GPs are largely autonomous & don't collaborate or coordinate very much. So one's career is much more in the hands of the particular GP you're paired with.
NEA I've always viewed as a Tier 2 name vs. Tier 1 like the other two. They got some cred in the past for being big (they used to have the biggest venture funds), but they're not exceptional at anything.
Hi. Currently mid level at a T1 multistage. Do you have any insight into how Bessemer manages conflict between partners? E.g., keeping everyone friendly vs. territorial, swim lanes, etc. Thank you.
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