team
Tim and the Matrix team are unique among VC’s, treating you as a partner from the get-go. Matrix is, and was always, the first firm I would go to for important advice. No matter how difficult the issue, they are always there to help, serving as the ultimate sounding board. I can say from personal experience that they stuck by us when other investors faded. The partners at Matrix are also very straight-shooters. You always know where they stand. - Chris Midgley, Founder, Unidesk
- Investing Team
- Operating Team
Tim Barrows is a general partner at Matrix, where he has invested in technology start-ups for twenty-five years. In his role as a lead investor and board member, Tim has assisted entrepreneurs in ushering ventures from their earliest stages through to successful outcomes. More than fifteen of the companies he helped establish and grow have gone onto successful acquisitions or initial public offerings.
Tim has advised and supported entrepreneurs across a range of technology sectors, including enterprise software, SMB-focused business services, communications and semiconductors. He has counseled entrepreneurs through multiple economic cycles and various technology booms, and has mentored many first-time CEOs.
Under Tim’s stewardship, Matrix Partners has delivered some of the highest performing funds of all time and expanded into international markets.
Prior to Matrix Partners, Tim worked in investment banking at Merrill Lynch White Weld, splitting his time between the technology group in corporate finance and the mergers and acquisitions group. He also assisted several early stage technology companies with raising seed capital.
Tim joined Matrix Partners in 1984. Among the companies he has worked with over the years are OnDisplay, a provider of Web infrastructure software (IPO and later acquired by Vignette for $1.7 billion); Qihoo 360, the leading internet security company in China (Nasdaq: QIHU); Starent Networks, the leading provider of infrastructure solutions for mobile carriers (Nasdaq: STAR); Sycamore Networks, a provider of multiservice network solutions (Nasdaq: SCMR); and Tivoli Systems, the leading provider of system management solutions for distributed systems (one of the top two IPOs in 1995, later sold to IBM).
While continuing to support entrepreneurs starting companies in the U.S., Tim leads the firm’s international efforts, which have included recruiting founding partners and establishing two new funds in Mumbai, India and Beijing, China.
Tim and Matrix were very helpful to me in my first role as CEO. Tim provided the guidance and support that were essential in a challenging situation. He was always candid and constructive in our interactions, which is something I value highly. I would absolutely work with Matrix again if I had the opportunity.
Bob Brennan, CEO, Iron Mountain
Tim Barrows
General Partner, Boston
781-890-2244
tbarrows@matrixpartners.com
Assistant: Anne Goodwin
agoodwin@matrixpartners.com
Honors/Memberships
Co-head of the Non-Marketable Securities Committee, Williams College
Current Board Seats
Affirmed Networks
Aquto
Empirix
Kalido Holdings
Plexxi
Unidesk
Select Investments
American Internet Corporation
Beyond Software
Camiant
Cimaron Communications
Communications Equipment Corp.
eRoom Technology
FirstSense Software
LiveVault
OnDisplay
Qihoo 360
Relicore
SilverStream Software
Starent Networks
Sycamore Networks
Tivoli Systems
Veritech Microwave
Watermark Software
Areas of Interest
Software and services, communications, and systems
Experience
25 years as a venture investor
Merrill Lynch Capital Markets: M&A, corporate finance
Education
Williams College, BA, Political Economy, magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa
Stanford Graduate School of Business, MBA