# Deepak Kamra

> Deepak Kamra is a General Partner at Canaan Partners, one of Silicon Valley's most enduring venture capitalists with over 33 years at a single firm. An Indian immigrant who grew up in Canada, he has backed landmark companies including DoubleClick (acquired by Google), Match.com, SuccessFactors (acquired by SAP), Skybox Imaging (acquired by Google for $500M), and ON24 (IPO at ~$3B in 2021 after a 22-year journey from a $12M investment). He is a passionate immigration advocate who has testified before Congress, a microfinance champion funding entrepreneurs in the Global South, a bass guitarist, avid cyclist, and world traveler who has visited over 80 countries.

- **Role:** General Partner at Canaan Partners
- **Organizations:** Canaan Partners, SIMA Funds, International Rescue Committee, National Venture Capital Association, America India Foundation, Child Haven International, Deutsche Bank Global Commercial Microfinance Consortium
- **From:** India
- **Nationality:** American (Indian-born, raised in Canada)
- **Education:** Bachelor of Commerce (B.Comm.), Carleton University, Sprott School of Business, MBA, Harvard Business School
- **Known for:** Forbes Midas List (Top Tech Investors) 2008 and 2009, 33+ year tenure at Canaan Partners - exceptional longevity in venture capital, Led or participated in investments resulting in multiple billion-dollar exits: DoubleClick (Google), SuccessFactors (SAP), Acme Packet (Oracle), Skybox Imaging (Google, $500M), ON24 (IPO ~$3B)

## Career timeline

- **~1974** — Enrolled at Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- **1978** — Graduated with B.Comm. from Carleton University's Sprott School of Business
- **1980** — Graduated with MBA from Harvard Business School
- **early 1980s** — Engineering and executive roles at ROLM Corp (digital telecom pioneer)
- **early 1980s** — Executive at TRW Datacomm International
- **mid-1980s** — Joined startup team at Aspect Communications, a call center technology pioneer
- **1990** — Aspect Communications completes IPO - Kamra's first major tech exit experience
- **1991** — Joined Canaan Partners as General Partner, West Coast
- **1999** — Led investment in ON24 at $12M valuation; investment memo later published publicly
- **2000s** — Backed DoubleClick (acquired by Google), Match.com (acquired by IAC), SuccessFactors (acquired by SAP)
- **2008-2009** — Named to Forbes Midas List of top tech investors
- **2008-2012** — Board Member, National Venture Capital Association Government Affairs Committee
- **2010s** — Invested in Skybox Imaging (micro-satellite), Turo (peer-to-peer car sharing), Kustomer (CRM)
- **2012** — Testified before U.S. House Judiciary Committee on immigration policy for entrepreneurs
- **2014** — Skybox Imaging (Google acquired for $500M); also invested in Capella Space (SAR satellites)
- **2016** — Became Founding Board Member of SIMA Funds; ON24 pivots to enterprise webinar platform
- **2018** — Led Kustomer Series B ($26M); Kustomer later acquired by Facebook/Meta
- **2021** — ON24 IPO at ~$3B valuation - 22 years after initial investment; published original 1999 memo
- **2021** — Established Kamra Family Scholarship in Innovation at Carleton University
- **2022** — Joined International Rescue Committee Board of Advisors
- **2024** — Joined SIMA Funds Advisory Board; continues active investing in aerospace and marketplaces

## Achievements

- Forbes Midas List (Top Tech Investors) 2008 and 2009
- 33+ year tenure at Canaan Partners - exceptional longevity in venture capital
- Led or participated in investments resulting in multiple billion-dollar exits: DoubleClick (Google), SuccessFactors (SAP), Acme Packet (Oracle), Skybox Imaging (Google, $500M), ON24 (IPO ~$3B)
- ON24: 22-year investment journey from $12M to $3B IPO - published original 1999 investment memo
- Helped establish Deutsche Bank's first commercial microfinance funds and raised $85M for Global South entrepreneurs
- Established Kamra Family Scholarship in Innovation at Carleton University
- Testified before U.S. House Judiciary Committee on startup visa policy
- Backed two satellite companies acquired by Google: Skybox Imaging and Capella Space

## Latest updates

- **2024-08** — Joined SIMA Funds Advisory Board, expanding his impact investing work
- **2024** — Continues as board member at Turo (peer-to-peer car sharing) and World View (stratospheric aerospace)
- **2022-12** — Joined International Rescue Committee Board of Advisors
- **2021** — ON24 IPO at ~$3B valuation after 22-year investment journey; published original 1999 investment memo
- **2021** — Established Kamra Family Scholarship in Innovation at Carleton University

## Links

- Website: https://www.canaan.com/team/deepak-kamra
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dkamra/
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/DeepakKamra
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sixpak

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/deepak-kamra
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-05-02