Sarah Tavel Steps Back from GP Role at Benchmark, Shifts Focus to AI Innovation
After nearly a decade at Benchmark, Sarah Tavel has announced her transition from general partner to venture partner at the renowned venture capital firm. Tavel, the first woman to hold a GP position at Benchmark, shared the news on X, citing her desire to focus more deeply on “AI tools at the edge” and to reflect on the future trajectory of artificial intelligence.
Tavel joined Benchmark in 2017 following stints at Greylock and Pinterest, where she was a product manager. Earlier in her career, she worked at Bessemer Venture Partners and was instrumental in identifying early investments like Pinterest and GitHub.
While she steps away from full-time partner duties, Tavel will continue to invest and remain active on several company boards under her new venture partner title. The role offers her greater flexibility to pursue her growing interest in AI while staying engaged with the startup ecosystem.
Benchmark, founded in 1995, is known for its unique structure—operating with a small team and maintaining an equal partnership model. All general partners at the firm share profits and management responsibilities equally, in contrast to many VC firms where seniority determines financial rewards.
During her time as a GP, Tavel led investments in successful startups like Hipcamp, Chainalysis, and Supergreat (acquired by Whatnot in 2023). She also backed the now-defunct photo-sharing app Paparazzi and the AI sales platform 11X.
Tavel’s shift marks a new chapter in her influential career, positioning her at the forefront of the evolving AI landscape while maintaining a strategic hand in venture capital.
