"Vanguard's entire portfolio is made up of the highest caliber of companies. It's second to none. As the CEO of a company that has Vanguard as an investor, I feel like I've surrounded myself with success.

"Vanguard has a unique knack for selecting strong companies. They stay on top of the markets they invest in, pick and choose innovations and ideas carefully and work closely with management to provide the support necessary to ensure success.

"The Vanguard partners have been down the start-up road many times. They understand the pitfalls and challenges an entrepreneur can face, set their expectations accordingly and are always available to help."

Judy Stant, CEO

"I appreciate Vanguard's practice of limiting the number of board seats that each partner takes. This increases their probability for success."

Joe Davis, Founder & CEO

"The partners at Vanguard are good company builders, and have a sincere interest in the companies in which they invest."

Dave Hodess, Founder

"When an entrepreneur is looking for capital, they should look for ways in which their VC can add value. The reputation and credibility of the firm is key, as is the expertise of the partners. These individuals should serve as experts and mentors in your space, and help drive the company toward a high probability of success. The team at Vanguard has surpassed our expectations in this respect, consistently bringing operational expertise and added value."

Dawn McGuire, CEO

"The single most impressive aspect of the Vanguard team is their breadth of operational experience. Each partner has spent time as an entrepreneur and CEO, and understands the challenges we face.

"Vanguard has excellent domain expertise, enabling them to understand your business in ways other investors simply can't. In my experience, their advice and counsel has been well above the norm.

"The Vanguard team is operationally astute. These guys will pick apart your plans, and they know the questions to ask. When they invest in your idea, they also invest their time to help make you a success."

Elliot Broadwin, CEO

"One thing that sets Vanguard Ventures apart is that each general partner has operating experience. The experience of managing companies allows them to add more value, and gives them a special relationship with the businesses that they invest in.

"I like the fact that Vanguard is a medium-sized partnership, and doesn't have to invest on a wholesale basis. They have a disciplined investment approach, focusing on select investments in younger companies in markets where they have expertise."

Phil Lamoreaux, General partner

Lamoreaux Partners
Flypaper Board Member

"Vanguard is a true venture capital company, not just a follower. They look for unique and novel ideas and technology, do good due diligence, are willing to take risks and assign seasoned board members to help make those businesses successful.

"The company's strength is that its partners are really interested in new and novel ideas and technologies, and how to turn them into viable businesses. It takes a lot more than just applying money to build a successful company."

Bill Lattin, President
Lattin Enterprises, Inc.
WebCriteria Board Member; Past member of Vormetric Board

"We talked with more than 50 VC firms for our initial funding, and chose Vanguard for three reasons. They understood and had previous success in the telecom market, their network was second to none and they are a fun and knowledgeable team to work with.

"In today's market, entrepreneurs need an investor that can bring more than just money to the table. Vanguard believes in the entrepreneurs running its portfolio companies, and is always there to help. With their operational backgrounds, the Vanguard partners understand what their companies need."

Alex Naqvi, Founder

"I look at Vanguard as a critical business partner who is truly helping my company succeed. With Vanguard, we have found a natural extension to our company team.

"Vanguard has extraordinary people. Their magic is in how they work with people, paying close attention to them and their needs. I feel very proud to be associated with Vanguard."

Jose Salcedo, Founder & CEO

"When we set out to find an investment firm, we set certain criteria. I wanted to work with people whose integrity was beyond reproach, whose firm had a great track record of success with high quality companies, and whose principals were technically qualified so that they could understand and correctly assess the potential of our technology. Vanguard met all our expectations, and quickly secured the top spot on the list.

"Vanguard is not a passive investor. They know the business space, understand the companies they invest in, and have more than 20 years of investing experience to draw from as issues or opportunities arise."

Aram Mooradian, Founder

"One of the things I like about Vanguard is that each partner brings a wealth of operational experience, and therefore understands the day-to-day challenges an entrepreneur must face. It's one thing to put together a strategy, but an entirely different thing to roll up your sleeves and execute - which is exactly what Vanguard does."

Nancy Briefs, CEO

"In today's environment, companies really need a VC firm that's both strong and supportive. It's nice to have investors like Vanguard who believe in early stage investing, and are in it for the long haul.

"Vanguard's partners are experienced early-stage investors who are entrepreneur-friendly and have a sincere interest in helping to build the companies in which they invest. They are helpful when we need them, and get out of the way when we don't."

Derek Proudian, CEO

"Vanguard's depth of knowledge in life sciences distinguishes it from many other VCs. They have excellent scientists on their team, and keep very close tabs on what's going on in the scientific field. By doing so, they can spot trends and place appropriate bets on ideas and companies that they come across.

"Some VC firms are conversant with the general marketing and business trends underway in medicine, but are not intimately involved in the science behind it. Vanguard's partners have both deep business and deep scientific backgrounds, and therefore have an advantage in understanding the technology and its potential."

Dr. Richard Popp, Professor
Stanford Medical School
Department of Medicine, Cardiology Division
Percardia Board Member

"Knowing how involved the partners are with their portfolio companies, I consider Vanguard a top tier venture capital firm. The Vanguard partners really like to build companies - they are extremely helpful and involved."

Pete Bonee, Founder & CEO

"Vanguard has a stellar, long-standing relationship with the life sciences market. Throughout the ups and downs of the market, they remained a consistent investor, and continued to grow their network and expertise in the life sciences.

"Vanguard's network is substantial and 'Class A.' They have been invaluable in introducing us to scientists, physicians, potential investors and Board members.

"The arrogance factor is totally missing with Vanguard. There's a nice, quiet competence that they bring to the table."

Jackie Eastwood, CEO

"Each of the partners at Vanguard has operational experience. They have been on the other side of the table, and understand what it's like to be an entrepreneur. That level of help and understanding is extremely valuable.

"With Vanguard, you get professionals who understand what the future could look like, and who help you make that vision a reality."

Rob Shostak, Founder

"As an entrepreneur, you put your life on the line for a company, and want to make sure that your investment pays off. Vanguard has been with us every step of the way to ensure that we have the right technology, the right plan and the right team in place to be successful."

Duc Pham, Founder

"Vanguard treats each of its portfolio companies as part of their team. During their due diligence, they came up and sat down with each member of my staff individually. I could feel them gearing up to engage us as a team, not just as an investment.

"When I was out fundraising, I established one criteria about the VCs I would choose. If I was going to spend a lot of time with them, I wanted to learn from them. Vanguard has never let me down. Each time I sit down with Vanguard, I learn something - they excel at that."

Alistair Williamson, Founder & CEO

"In our first meeting with Vanguard, we were struck by the partners' passion for our idea, their knowledge of the market and their vision for how it could evolve and grow. As experienced entrepreneurs themselves, they brought a lot of added value and operational expertise to the table, and we liked the team."

"One of our core values as a company is to demonstrate integrity in everything we do. We strongly believe that our investment partners should share this essential quality, and Vanguard's team couldn't have been a better fit."

"Vanguard is a firm that's not out there to build hype. They have a strategy, and follow it. They look for great opportunities in good times and in bad, bet on categories they believe will be huge winners, and only invest in the best."

"Vanguard is a tremendously valuable partner. At any given time, we have full access to the skills and expertise of any one of their partners, and to their extensive network of contacts. They attract entrepreneurs of the highest caliber, and support them in every way possible."

Juan Mini, Founder

"Vanguard likes to find companies in their embryonic stage with good ideas, and make them into rock solid successes. They don't just invest money and then pull away to see what happens. Instead, they roll up their sleeves to provide hands-on management support, and seek out seasoned Board members with a depth of technical and corporate expertise to complement their efforts."

Ed Labuda
Industry Luminary
Retired Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of AT&T's Lightwave Business Unit
Novalux, Polychromix and MEMS Optical Board Member
Vanguard VII Investor

"Vanguard is technically sound and extremely capable in the high technology, telecommunications and medical equipment markets. They drill down deep before getting involved in a company. But once they do, they do everything in their power to make it a success.

"Vanguard maintains a depth and breadth of knowledge among their partners that few firms can match."

Phil Quigley
Industry Luminary
Former Chairman and CEO of Pacfic Telesis
Luminous Networks Board Member