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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →On January 16, 2019, Draper Fisher Jurvetson’s venture business—DFJ Venture—announced it would become Threshold Ventures. The change did not include DFJ Growth, a separate late-stage affiliate that was expected to keep its name. Seattle-based Bill Bryant, a DFJ Venture general partner since 2007, was expected to move into a venture-partner role rather than remain a general partner.
What changed when DFJ became Threshold Ventures?
The rebrand applied to DFJ Venture, not every business associated with the DFJ name. Axios reported that limited partners were informed by email the night before the January 16 announcement. Josh Stein and Emily Melton were named Threshold’s managing partners, while longtime partners Andreas Stavropoulos and Bryant were expected to move into non-general-partner roles with the new fund. Axios reported the announcement.
| Organization or person | What the 2019 reports said |
|---|---|
| DFJ Venture | Rebranded as Threshold Ventures in January 2019. |
| DFJ Growth | A separate, independent affiliate focused on later-stage deals; it was expected to retain the DFJ Growth name, according to Axios and GeekWire. |
| Josh Stein and Emily Melton | Identified by Axios as Threshold’s managing partners. |
| Bill Bryant | Expected to transition from general partner to venture partner, a non-GP role. |
What did Bill Bryant’s transition mean?
Bryant had joined DFJ Venture in 2007. The announcement described a planned move from general partner to venture partner; it did not say he would immediately end his work with the firm or its portfolio companies.
In GeekWire’s updated January 16 report, Bryant said he expected to remain actively involved with the firm for several years, continue serving on boards of existing portfolio companies through their exits, and potentially make a few additional investments. He also described his decision this way: “I’ve been doing startups since 1988 (so 30 years) and wanted to explore new life chapters in the coming years.” The “30 years” figure was Bryant’s rounded description in 2019, not a current tenure measure. GeekWire’s report and update distinguish his expected ongoing involvement from his formal role.
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What happened to Threshold’s next fund?
In July 2019, Crunchbase News reported that Threshold filed a Form D on July 23 seeking authority to raise up to $250 million for Threshold Ventures III, co-led by Stein and Melton. The filing report said no capital had yet been raised at that point. It documents a proposed target, not proof that the fund ultimately raised $250 million. Crunchbase News covered the filing.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the 2019 reports do—and do not—establish
Taken together, the reports describe a January 2019 identity change for DFJ Venture, a distinct DFJ Growth affiliate expected to retain its name, and a leadership transition that left Bryant with an anticipated continuing role in portfolio support and possible investments. They do not establish Threshold’s present leadership, current organizational structure, or portfolio status.
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