John Jarve
Partner Emeritus
John joined Menlo Ventures in 1985. Over the past 30 years, he has led Menlo’s investments in nearly 50 portfolio companies, primarily in the communications, storage, semiconductor, internet, and financial technology sectors. He currently sits on the boards of Betterment, Credit Sesame, and DataXu.
John has been the lead investor in multiple venture capital funded companies that have had successful IPOs including UUNET Technologies, the world’s largest Internet access provider (UUNT), Digital Insight, the pioneering leader in Internet banking (DGIN), Cavium Networks, the leading provider of security communication chips (CAVM), Ascend Communications (ASND), FaxSav (EASY), iBasis (IBAS), SpectraLink (SLNK), and Syntellect (SXNT).
Born in Wheeling, West Virginia, John spent his childhood in Martins Ferry, a coal mining and steel town in southeast Ohio. Despite dire financial circumstances after the loss of both his parents as a teenager, John attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (B.S. and M.S. in electrical engineering) and credits the University’s need-blind admissions with his ability to achieve a world-class education. John then went on to receive his MBA from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business.
John is a life member of the MIT Board of Trustees (known as the Corporation) and is the former president of the MIT Alumni Association. He is a member of the Stanford GSB Advisory Council and has also served as chairman of the Stanford GSB Management Board.
John joined Menlo Ventures in 1985. Over the past 30 years, he has led Menlo’s investments in nearly 50 portfolio companies, primarily in the communications, storage, semiconductor, internet, and financial technology sectors. He currently sits on the boards of Betterment, Credit Sesame, and DataXu.
John has been the lead investor in multiple venture capital funded companies that have had successful IPOs including UUNET Technologies, the world’s largest Internet access provider (UUNT), Digital Insight, the pioneering leader in Internet banking (DGIN), Cavium Networks, the leading provider of security communication chips (CAVM), Ascend Communications (ASND), FaxSav (EASY), iBasis (IBAS), SpectraLink (SLNK), and Syntellect (SXNT).
Born in Wheeling, West Virginia, John spent his childhood in Martins Ferry, a coal mining and steel town in southeast Ohio. Despite dire financial circumstances after the loss of both his parents as a teenager, John attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (B.S. and M.S. in electrical engineering) and credits the University’s need-blind admissions with his ability to achieve a world-class education. John then went on to receive his MBA from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business.
John is a life member of the MIT Board of Trustees (known as the Corporation) and is the former president of the MIT Alumni Association. He is a member of the Stanford GSB Advisory Council and has also served as chairman of the Stanford GSB Management Board.
Investments
Our Portfolio
Betterment is a financial robo-advisor dedicated to helping people reach their investment goals.
Milestones
- 2008 → Founded
- 2012 → Partnered, Series B
Partner
NASDAQ: CAVM Cavium was a provider of highly integrated semiconductor processors that enabled intelligent networking, communications, storage, video and security applications.
Milestones
- 2000 → Founded
- 2002 → Partnered, Series B
- 2007 → IPO; NASDAQ: CAVM
Partner
Credit Sesame helps people take control of their credit and save money with smarter loans.
Milestones
- 2010 → Founded
- 2011 → Partnered, Series B
Partner
Acquired by Roku DataXu was an enterprise data and analytics company that offered DX3, the first fully integrated omni-channel marketing management platform.
Milestones
- 2009 → Founded
- 2010 → Partnered, Series B
- 2019 → Acquired by Roku
Partner
Ascend Communications, Inc. designed and manufactured equipment for high-density dial-up installations.
Milestones
- 1988 → Founded
- 1991 → Partnered
- 1999 → Acquired
Partner
Digital Insight was a provider of online banking software to banks and credit unions. It also designed FinanceWorks, a product that allowed customers to manage their finances.
Milestones
- 1995 → Founded
- 1997 → Partnered
- 1999 → IPO; NASDAQ: DGIN
Partner
FaxSav was an internet email fax service provider for small office and individual users, which later became known as NetMoves Corporation (NASDAQ: NTMV).
Milestones
- 1989 → Founded
- 1996 → IPO
Partner
iBasis is the leading communications solutions provider enabling operators and digital players worldwide to perform and transform.
Milestones
- 1996 → Founded
- 1999 → IPO
Partner
SpectraLink delivers secure, cost-effective mobile communication solutions that empower enterprises to streamline operations, increase their revenues, and deliver a positive customer experience each and every time.
Milestones
- 1990 → Founded
- 1996 → IPO
Partner
Syntellect, Inc. developed and marketed voice, internet, and call processing services. The company offered services such as project management, system implementation and integration, application development, and speech services.
Partner
UUNET was the first commercial internet service provider and the world’s leading internet carrier in the 1980s and 1990s. The company provided a comprehensive range of internet services to business customers worldwide.
Milestones
- 1993 → Partnered
- 1996 → Acquired by MFS Communications