Sigma 8 = $500 Million

Sigma Partners has closed its eighth fund with $500 million in capital commitments, peHUB has learned. Don’t expect any major changes at the bi-coastal VC firm, which plans to continue investing in early-stage tech companies (plus the now-obligatory sprinkling of alt energy).

“We do some consumer-facing Internet investments, but most of our tech focus is on things like semiconductors and software,” Sigma managing director Greg Gretsch says.

Sigma has not formally announced the fund, which keeps with its tradition of keeping a low media profile. Well, at least since this. Even Gretsch is relatively tight-lipped, puckishly responding my interview request with: “I’m not going to say much, but I’m happy to talk.”

What he did say is that the firm has finished adding new portfolio companies to its $400 million seventh fund, and that it has already made its first deal out of Sigma 8 (no, they don’t use Roman numerals). That means that it took Sigma less than two years to commit Sigma 7, which helps explain why Sigma 8 is a bit larger.

All of the Sigma 7 partners are back for Sigma 8, except for the retiring Larry Finch, who is listed as a special limited partner. Sigma will maintain its dual offices in Boston and Menllo Park, California.