Baris Aksoy

Baris Aksoy is a General Partner at AV8 Ventures, a venture capital firm based in Palo Alto, California, which focuses on early-stage investments in sectors such as enterprise software, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and security. He has been with AV8 Ventures since 2019, contributing his extensive experience in technology and investment.

Professional Background

Before joining AV8 Ventures, Aksoy held significant roles at Google Cloud, where he was the Head of Global Strategic Business Development for the Media, Gaming, and Telecom sectors. His responsibilities included overseeing mergers and acquisitions and leading strategic initiatives within the industry.13 Prior to his tenure at Google, he served as the Chief Financial Officer at Anvato, a video streaming startup that was acquired by Google in 2016. Aksoy's career also includes a position as an investor at Intel Capital, where he focused on consumer and enterprise investments.43

Education and Early Career

Baris Aksoy holds an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Istanbul Technical University. Early in his career, he worked in product management and engineering roles at companies like Calix Networks and Alcatel.34

Investment Focus

At AV8 Ventures, Aksoy is particularly interested in working with product-focused technical founders and is known for his empathetic approach to investing. He aims to support startups that address challenges related to data management, cloud integration, and cybersecurity, especially in light of evolving privacy regulations.134

Notable Investments

Throughout his career, Aksoy has invested in a variety of startups, including Monese, Elucidate, and Hydrolix, among others. His investment strategy typically ranges from $500,000 to $5 million, with a sweet spot around $2 million.23

Personal Insights

Aksoy is a Kauffman Fellow and emphasizes the importance of understanding the challenges faced by founders, which informs his investment philosophy. He is passionate about helping entrepreneurs navigate the complexities of building successful businesses.34