Two years after being a benchmark venture capitalist for a top shelf company, Victor Lazarute left the company to begin his own investment gig, which was announced at X on Thursday.
Lazarte has become known for its co-founding technology of Wildlife Studios, the mobile gaming company last valued at an estimated $3 billion in 2020. Wildlife raised funds from numerous VCs, including benchmarks.
For two years at the benchmark, Lazarte has invested in recruiting and data labeling for startup Melkor, AI video intelligence platform Heygen, and AI infrastructure companies.
Lazarte is off the benchmark to “build new investment practices,” he wrote in the post. Sources said he recently informed his portfolio company about his plans to leave the benchmark.
Lasalte is the second investor to step down from this year's benchmark partnership. Sarah Tabel announced in April that she was transitioning to a venture partner.
After Lazarte's departure, the remaining partners of the renowned company include Peter Fenton, Eric Vishria and Chetan Puttagunta.
Unlike most VC companies where senior partners typically receive a larger share of management fees and profits, the benchmark operates as an equal partnership, with all common partners splitting fees and returns evenly. The Benchmark and Lazarute did not immediately respond to requests for additional comment.
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