Global investment firm Battery Ventures has announced the promotion of two key figures, Max Schireson and Roland Anderson, to the role of investing partner. This strategic move elevates two seasoned technology veterans to senior positions within the firm. The appointments signal Battery's commitment to deepening its expertise in both frontier technologies and established growth-stage software markets.
Schireson to Target Frontier Technology
Max Schireson transitions from his previous role as an operating partner to focus on investments in emerging and transformative sectors. His new mandate includes identifying opportunities in artificial intelligence models, quantum computing, and robotics. This shift leverages his extensive operational background to pinpoint and nurture companies at the cutting edge of technological innovation.
For the past decade, Schireson has been an invaluable advisor to Battery's portfolio, lending his expertise to companies like Databricks, ClickHouse, and InfluxData. His tenure as CEO of the open-source database company MongoDB provides him with unique insights into scaling disruptive technologies. Prior to MongoDB, he held executive positions at MarkLogic and Oracle, building a deep foundation in enterprise software.
Anderson's Continued Focus on Growth Equity
In a concurrent promotion, Roland Anderson has been named a partner, solidifying his position as a key investor in growth and later-stage companies. Since joining Battery in 2014, Anderson has concentrated on business software, information services, and enterprise technology. His promotion recognizes his consistent success in identifying and scaling promising ventures within these established markets.
Anderson's portfolio includes board seats at MadCap Software, RetailNext, and StoneEagle, and he was involved with the successful investment in ServiceTitan. His track record demonstrates a keen ability to generate value across various vertical software markets, including automotive and construction. Before his time at Battery, he honed his skills at Symmetric Capital, a growth equity firm.
A Shared History of Industry Leadership
Interestingly, the careers of Schireson and Anderson have intersected before, highlighting their long-standing presence in the tech industry. A decade ago, in 2014, both individuals were appointed to the Board of Directors for MongoDB. This shared history underscores their parallel paths as influential figures in the enterprise software landscape.
At the time of their board appointments, Schireson was serving as MongoDB's CEO, guiding the company through a period of rapid growth. Anderson brought decades of executive experience from his leadership roles at Symantec and Veritas Software. Their joint presence on the board of a key database innovator foreshadowed their future roles shaping technology investment.
Fueling Future Investments
Both new partners will be making investments from Battery Ventures' latest fund, the $3.25 billion Battery Ventures XV. This substantial fund provides the capital necessary to pursue ambitious investments across the technology spectrum. The firm is now well-positioned to act on opportunities identified by its newly appointed partners.
The dual promotions reflect a balanced strategy, combining Schireson's focus on high-risk, high-reward frontier tech with Anderson's proven expertise in scaling mature software businesses. This approach allows Battery to cover the full lifecycle of technological innovation. It ensures the firm remains a dominant force in both emerging and established sectors of the market.
The elevation of Max Schireson and Roland Anderson to partner marks a significant development for Battery Ventures. It reinforces the firm's strategy of leveraging deep operational and investment experience to guide its portfolio. With these appointments, Battery is poised to continue its legacy of identifying and supporting transformative technology companies across the globe.