Sydney Sykes

Lighstspeed Venture Partners

Sydney Sykes is a Partner on the Consumer Team at Lightspeed Venture Partners, one of the world’s preeminent multi-stage venture firms. She has been one of the most vocal opponents of the status quo in the venture capital industry. Before joining Lightspeed, Sykes worked with Lightspeed for several years as a Scout, identifying and investing in promising companies that eventually became part of the Lightspeed portfolio, including Archive. Prior to her time with Lightspeed, she was an early-stage investor at NEA, where she developed a passion for consumer startups and gained experience in angel investing. Notably, Sykes co-founded BLCK VC, the influential non-profit organization dedicated to increasing Black representation in venture capital, empowering Black investors with the mindset that if we increase diversity in venture capital it will ultimately increase Black wealth in this country. As co-CEO, she successfully grew the nonprofit organization, expanding its network to over 20,000 individuals.