New Enterprise Associates

NEA was founded in 1977 by three men who each brought a different piece of the puzzle: Dick Kramlich, who had trained under legendary investor Arthur Rock; Frank Bonsal, an investment banker who had taken startups public; and Chuck Newhall, who had managed investment funds at T. Rowe Price. Deliberately built with offices on both coasts from day one - unusual for the era - NEA's first fund raised just $16 million, a fraction of the more than $25 billion it manages today.

$25B+ AUM 80/100 Power Score™ 1977 Founded Menlo Park, CA
Technology Healthcare Life Sciences
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Signature Exit

Robinhood's 2021 IPO, bringing retail stock trading to the public markets

Key Partners & Leadership

Co-Founder
Co-Founder
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Executive Chairman

Firm Timeline

1977
Three founders with complementary backgrounds - banking, fund management, and VC - launch NEA with a $16 million first fund.
1981
Makes one of its earliest notable investments in 3Com.
2015
Closes a $3.1 billion fund, the largest venture fund raised up to that point.
2021
Portfolio company Robinhood goes public, bringing retail stock trading to the public markets.

Notable Public Portfolio Companies