Villi Iltchev

Overview

With over two decades of experience, Villi Iltchev has been instrumental in supporting early-stage technology companies. As the Founder and Managing Partner of Category Ventures, he focuses on investing in exceptional technical founders building category-defining software startups. Prior to founding Category Ventures, Villi served as a Managing Director at Two Sigma Ventures, where he managed the San Francisco office and invested in startups across SaaS, infrastructure, and developer tools. Before that, he was a General Partner at August Capital and held leadership roles at Box and LifeLock, overseeing strategy, product, alliances, investments, and acquisitions. At Salesforce, as Vice President, he led the investments and acquisitions teams, investing in over 30 leading software companies, including HubSpot, Box, Gusto, Anaplan, MuleSoft, Adaptive Insights, and Zapier. Villi earned an MBA from the University of Virginia's Darden Graduate School of Business, a Master's degree from Clemson University, and a Bachelor's degree from Erskine College. He resides in San Francisco with his wife and two children. Outside of work, Villi enjoys coaching his kids in tennis, running, cycling, skiing, and engaging in various outdoor activities. Throughout his career, Villi has been deeply involved in the venture capital ecosystem, contributing to the growth and success of numerous startups. His investment philosophy centers on partnering with founders to build enduring businesses, offering not just capital but also strategic guidance and operational support. This approach has led to significant investments in companies like GitLab, Remote, Box, and Airtable. Villi's extensive network and experience enable him to identify and nurture high-potential startups, particularly in the enterprise software sector. Villi's leadership at Category Ventures reflects his commitment to fostering innovation and supporting the next generation of software companies. His background in both operating and investing roles provides a unique perspective, allowing him to effectively mentor founders and drive the success of portfolio companies. His track record underscores his ability to recognize market trends and invest in technologies that define the future of enterprise software.