I work with CEO’s and entrepreneurs to help build great companies. Having founded two venture-backed startups myself – one a success (acuired by VeriSign in 2005) and one a failure – I have deep personal experience with the challenges entrepreneurs and CEO’s face.

As an entrepreneur and CEO, I raised six rounds of financing across two companies and had the opportunity to work with some of the world’s best venture capitalists. I also worked with a few that weren’t as helpful, and experienced firsthand the adage that “not all money is equal.” I try to bring the best of these experiences to bear in every relationship I create with an entrepreneur or CEO – whether it is as an informal advisor, an investor and/or a board member. I also have a family with four kids (under the age of 7!) and understand the personal toll that building a great company can take. In short, I’ve “been there, ” and I believe choosing the right investors, board members, etc. can make a real difference in the outcome for a company.

My focus as Partner at GGV Capital is on growth stage companies – those that are hitting their stride, starting to scale and require growth capital to make it happen. We tend to invest $5-25 million into our portfolio companies, and our investment typically goes towards expanding the organization, sales, marketing, and/or an acquisition. I specifically focus on investing in companies in the software/saas, mobile and Internet sectors – sectors where I have firsthand operating experience. I also spend time with our team in China every quarter (mostly Shanghai and Beijing), and leave my trips amazed at the explosive growth and high energy of the entrepreneurs we’re backing.

I am passionate about kids and education – and spend my time outside of GGV and family with several nonprofits in the Bay Area, including SMART, The First Tee and the Pleasanton Cultural Arts Foundation.

My personal blog is at http://13hourstothink.com/, follow me on Twitter @jrichlive.