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Defy Partners, a Silicon Valley investment firm launched in 2017 by a pair of seasoned venture capitalists, has secured $262 million for its sophomore fund.

Seed-stage startups increasingly say they struggle to graduate to the next funding level when they seek large Series A rounds.

“When we first got together, we saw that there was, at the time, a proliferation of seed capital,” Sequeira said. “For multifaceted reasons, it was easier for companies to raise seed or later-stage capital. We saw there was an opening to go for where the returns have always been great, and that’s in early series…

Led by Neil Sequeira and Trae Vassallo, Defy invests in entrepreneurs and companies looking to solve complex problems using leading-edge technology to create real business leverage. The focus is on early series A lead investments where it commits $3-10m in initial financing for real ownership while reserving significant capital for follow-on financing.

“We are passionate about investing in authentic entrepreneurs, a phrase we use to describe founders who know their industry better than anyone, who are solving big urgent problems,” said Trae Vassallo, Co-Founder and Managing Director at Defy. “The relationships we build with these brilliantly talented entrepreneurs is what inspires us daily and is exactly what…

The Woodside, California, firm in late 2017 quietly raised $151 million for its maiden fund to make Series A deals on the West Coast. The majority of its investments are in the Bay Area; Defy has portfolio companies in Seattle and San Diego, too.

Seed-stage startups increasingly say they struggle to graduate to the next funding level when they seek large Series A rounds.

“When we first got together, we saw that there was, at the time, a proliferation of seed capital,” Sequeira said. “For multifaceted reasons, it was easier for companies to raise seed or later-stage capital. We saw there was an opening to go for where the returns have always been great, and that’s in early series…

Led by Neil Sequeira and Trae Vassallo, Defy invests in entrepreneurs and companies looking to solve complex problems using leading-edge technology to create real business leverage. The focus is on early series A lead investments where it commits $3-10m in initial financing for real ownership while reserving significant capital for follow-on financing.

“We are passionate about investing in authentic entrepreneurs, a phrase we use to describe founders who know their industry better than anyone, who are solving big urgent problems,” said Trae Vassallo, Co-Founder and Managing Director at Defy. “The relationships we build with these brilliantly talented entrepreneurs is what inspires us daily and is exactly what…