Tim Barrows
Partner

Tim Barrows

PROJECTS

Affirmed Networks, Atria Software (PASW), American Internet Corporation, Beyond Software, Camiant, Carbon Black, Cimaron Communications, Cloud Zero, eRoom Technology, FirstSense Software, LiveVault, nference, OnDisplay (ONDS), Qihoo 360 (QIHU), Relicore, SilverStream Software (SSSW), Starent Networks (STAR), Sycamore Networks (SCMR), Tivoli Systems (TIVS), Veritech Microwave, Watermark Software

ON HOW I GOT HERE

I grew up in a small town in upstate New York known for its long winters and significant snowfall. While my father was an engineer, he was a big fan of a liberal arts education and I headed off to Williams College where I majored in Political Economy. Post-college, I worked in corporate finance for 3 years splitting my time between the tech and m&a groups. In my spare time, I started seed investing and helped 3 startups raise their initial capital and scale into real companies. I became hooked on venture and went to Stanford to get my MBA, joining Matrix upon graduation.

ON WHY I INVEST

Over the years at Matrix we have been very fortunate to have worked with the best technologists in the world, first here in the US and more recently in China and India. While a humbling experience, the process of helping founders shape an idea, and then launch and scale their company is very gratifying.

OUR STYLE

We understand our role well and that the heavy lifting is done by the people we back – starting companies isn’t easy. We are good listeners and don’t provide canned advice. Every company is different. We have extensive collective experience at Matrix that we all share, borne out of many successes and failures that help shape our POV and advice. While not cheerleaders – we want to discuss the important issues transparently – we are always supportive. We are committed to winning and work extremely hard to make that a reality.  Your odds of success are better with us than with anyone else.

EXPERIENCE

Many years of experience backing first-time founders (and many returnees) across business cycles (through good times and bad). More recently, while continuing to invest in the US, I have led our international efforts, recruiting our founding partners in China and India.

EXPERIENCE

Merrill Lynch Capital Markets

M&A, corporate finance

EDUCATION

Williams College

BA, Political Economy Phi Beta Kappa, Magna Cum Laude

Stanford Graduate School of Business

MBA