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Walter Kortschak

Chairman Emeritus/Founding Investor at SignalFire

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Overview

Walter Kortschak serves as Chairman Emeritus and Founding Investor at SignalFire [1]. Kortschak has invested in over 70 companies across pre-seed through growth stages over more than 40 years, achieving 60 profitable exits and 24 IPOs [2]. Kortschak was recognized six times on the Forbes Midas List and ranked number one on Business Insider's Seed 100 in 2026 [2]. Kortschak began their venture career at Crosspoint in 1985, then joined Summit Partners as a General Partner in 1989 [9], serving as Managing Partner from 1998 to 2010 [8] and Managing Partner again from 2017 to 2023 [6]. Since 2023, Kortschak has invested through Firestreak, their family office [3]. Kortschak holds a B.S. in Engineering from Oregon State University, an M.S. in Engineering from Caltech, and an M.B.A. in Finance from UCLA Anderson School of Management [11][12][13].

Profile introduction
Source excerptLinkedIn [2]

I write first checks into AI-native companies through Firestreak, and have invested from pre-seed through growth for over 40 years: 70+ companies, 60+ profitable exits, 24 IPOs. Six-time Forbes Midas List. #1 on Business Insider's Seed 100 (2026). I started at Crosspoint, one of the first seed venture firms, in 1985, then helped build Summit Partners into one of the first growth equity funds beginning in 1989. In 2013 I helped launch SignalFire, the first data-driven seed fund. Since 2023 I've invested through Firestreak, my family office, at both pre-seed and growth stage. What I look for…

Career history

  1. FounderJan 2022 to presentFirestreak Ventures
  2. FounderJan 2010 to presentKortschak Investments
  3. Senior AdvisorJul 2023 to presentSummit Partners
  4. Former Managing PartnerOct 2017 to Jun 2023Summit Partners
  5. Senior Advisor & Board MemberJan 2010 to Oct 2017Summit Partners
  6. Managing PartnerJan 1998 to Jan 2010Summit Partners
  7. General PartnerJun 1989 to Jan 1998Summit Partners
  8. Chairman Emeritus/Founding InvestorJul 2023 to presentSignalFire

Education

  1. M.S., Engineering at Caltech1981 - 1982
  2. M.B.A., Finance1984 - 1986UCLA Anderson School of Management
  3. B.S., Engineering1977 - 1981Oregon State University

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