Decibel Partners

Decibel Partners is an early-stage venture capital firm that focuses on investing in essential infrastructure software for developers, data engineers, and cybersecurity teams. The firm is enterprise-focused, seeking out B2B software companies that address critical business challenges through innovative technology platforms. Their investment interests specifically include areas such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, cybersecurity, developer tools, and data infrastructure.

Founded in 2019, Decibel Partners was established as an independent venture firm in partnership with Cisco. This unique model allows Decibel to combine the agility and independent risk-taking of a traditional venture capital firm with access to the scale, entrepreneurial talent, and deep customer relationships of a major technology corporation. Founding Partner Jon Sakoda initiated Decibel with the conviction that entrepreneurs require more than just capital, emphasizing the importance of providing unfair advantages and mentorship during the earliest stages of company development.

The firm's portfolio includes a diverse range of companies. Notable investments mentioned on their website and in various reports include Nebulock, Scrunch, Veris.ai, Pixee, Unconventional AI, Mantis Biotech, Strella, Fixify, Brightwave, Knocknoc Pty, and Censys. They also list companies like LaunchDarkly, Cribl, Obsidian Security, Moveworks, Abacus.AI, Credo, Akuity, Cube.js, and Dropzone AI as part of their portfolio, demonstrating a strong commitment to innovative enterprise software solutions.

Decibel Partners operates with a team built by founders and operators, bringing deep enterprise software expertise and an operator-focused approach. Partners, such as Jon Sakoda and Dan Nguyen-Huu, have extensive backgrounds in building and scaling enterprise companies, enabling them to offer tactical guidance on go-to-market strategy, product development, and scaling operations. The firm also leverages a network of experienced founder advisors who provide mentorship and support to portfolio companies, drawing from decades of experience in security, engineering, and data platforms.