Kleiner Perkins
Silicon Valley VC founded 1972; backed Google, Amazon, Anthropic and co-led Granola's 2026 Series C.
Last refreshed: 13 April 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
What does a Silicon Valley legend backing a London AI notes app say about where the best AI startups are building?
Timeline for Kleiner Perkins
Mentioned in: Granola hits $1.5bn in three years
UK Startups and Innovation- What is Kleiner Perkins known for investing in?
- Kleiner Perkins is known for early bets on Google, Amazon, Genentech, Netscape, and Anthropic. In 2026 it co-led Granola's $125m Series C and is raising $3.5bn for AI.Source: Kleiner Perkins, TechCrunch
- Has Kleiner Perkins invested in UK companies?
- Yes. In 2026 Kleiner Perkins co-led the $125m Series C in Granola, the London AI notetaking startup, alongside Index Ventures.Source: event
- How much is Kleiner Perkins raising for AI in 2026?
- Kleiner Perkins announced it was targeting $3.5bn for a new AI-focused fund in 2026, covering software, healthcare, transportation, and autonomy startups.Source: TechCrunch
Background
Kleiner Perkins co-led Granola's $125m Series C in 2026, the round that pushed the London AI notetaking startup to a $1.5bn valuation in just three years. The investment is part of a broader push into AI productivity and infrastructure: in 2026 the firm announced it was raising $3.5bn for a new fund targeting AI startups reshaping software, healthcare, transportation, and autonomy.
Founded in 1972 by Eugene Kleiner and Tom Perkins, the firm was the first VC to open offices on Sand Hill Road and is credited with establishing Silicon Valley's VC cluster. The New York Times called it perhaps Silicon Valley's most famous venture firm in 2005. Its historical portfolio reads as a who's-who of the internet era: Google, Amazon, Netscape, Genentech, Sun Microsystems, Compaq, Electronic Arts, and Anthropic. John Doerr emerged as its defining investor during the dotcom era, backing Amazon and Google before either went public.
The Granola investment marks a significant UK bet for a firm historically concentrated in California. Kleiner Perkins has stated a preference for investing in the UK and broader European market alongside the US, Middle East, and Canada. Its willingness to co-lead a round with London-based Index Ventures reflects the growing credibility of the UK AI ecosystem as a source of tier-one startups.