Vulcan Capital Appoints Managing Director For New Palo Alto Office

SEATTLE, Wash., April 2, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Vulcan Capital, the Seattle-based investment management firm that oversees philanthropist Paul G. Allen's multi-billion dollar portfolio, today announced that Abhishek Agrawal has been named Managing Director and head of its new Palo Alto office. Mr. Agrawal will direct Vulcan's presence in Silicon Valley and focus on expanding the firm's investments in the internet and technology sectors.

Mr. Agrawal joins Vulcan Capital from General Atlantic, a global growth equity firm with $17 billion in capital under management, where he has worked since 2005. He has been closely involved in General Atlantic's investments in the internet and technology sector, including AKQA, Alibaba Group, Bazaarvoice, Dice Holdings, Facebook, Gilt Groupe, Klarna, Network Solutions, and Red Ventures, among others.

"We are thrilled to welcome Abhishek as part of the Vulcan Capital leadership team," said Paul Ghaffari, Chief Investment Officer of Vulcan. "Abhishek brings a dynamic investment approach to growth equity that is complementary to our existing efforts in early-stage technology and the later stage buyout markets.  His stellar investment record and entrepreneurial approach will help expand our reach in multi-stage technology investments."

"It is exciting to join a team that is looking to invest in the world's brightest ideas and companies that are making a transformational change," said Mr. Agrawal. "I am eager to oversee the strategic direction of the firm's new Palo Alto office and explore new ways to expand Vulcan's internet and technology growth investments on a global basis."

Prior to joining General Atlantic, Mr. Agrawal was with Lazard Technology Partners, a technology-focused venture capital firm, where he made several investments in the internet, enterprise software, and communications space. Previously, Mr. Agrawal was in Lazard's investment banking group where he provided mergers and acquisitions-related financial and strategic advisory services to companies in the technology, media, and telecom sectors. He received his B.S. in Economics with concentration in Finance from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, where he ranked first in his class, and his M.B.A. from Harvard Business School where he graduated with highest distinction and was a Baker Scholar.

Vulcan Capital's expansion into Silicon Valley reinforces its decades-long commitment to technology-related companies, which make up a significant portion of its investment portfolio. This new office will focus on making investments in the $10-million to $100-million size range in internet and technology companies, including mid- to late-stage venture capital, growth equity, recaps, buyouts and strategic public market block investments. Vulcan Capital will have an office in downtown Palo Alto and is planning to hire a full team to work under Mr. Agrawal in upcoming months.

About Vulcan Capital
Vulcan Capital was formed in 2003 and is headquartered in Seattle, Wash. The firm serves as the investment arm of Vulcan Inc., the company founded by Paul G. Allen to manage his philanthropic and business endeavors. The firm invests across all stages of corporate development through start-up and early-stage companies, growth equity, leveraged buyouts, distressed situations, as well as investing in public equities and other liquid asset classes. Vulcan Capital's current portfolio spans a range of industry sectors, including technology, life sciences, energy and natural resources, media and communications, and financial and information services. Current portfolio companies include Ascentium Capital, Silvercrest Asset Management Group, Redfin, Audience, Applied Proteomics, Inc., Laureate Education and Pantheon Partners, among others. For more information, visit capital.vulcan.com.

FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES: 
Christina Siderius, Vulcan Inc.
[email protected]
206-342-2526

SOURCE Vulcan Capital