The Wildlife Studios co-founder and former Benchmark partner is striking out on his own after two years and several AI-focused bets
A New Chapter in Venture Capital
Victor Lazarte, best known for co-founding Wildlife Studios and more recently as a general partner at Benchmark, is leaving the prestigious venture firm to start his own investment practice, he announced Thursday on X.
- Lazarte joined Benchmark in 2022 after leading Wildlife Studios to a $3 billion valuation
- During his time at Benchmark, he invested in AI-forward startups like Mercor, HeyGen, and Decart AI
- In his announcement, Lazarte said he’s excited to build something new but didn’t offer specifics about the new fund or firm
“I’m deeply grateful to Benchmark for the chance to learn from the best,” Lazarte wrote. “Now it’s time to build.”
Benchmark Sees Another High-Profile Change
Lazarte is the second partner to exit Benchmark this year. In April, Sarah Tavel announced she would shift into a venture partner role, reducing her day-to-day involvement.
Following these departures, Benchmark’s current general partners include:
- Peter Fenton
- Eric Vishria
- Chetan Puttagunta
Benchmark is known for its tight-knit structure and equal partnership model, where all GPs share profits and fees equally—an unusual model in the venture world.
From Gaming Unicorn to VC to Founder (Again)
Lazarte first made his mark in tech by co-founding Wildlife Studios, one of Latin America’s most successful gaming startups. The company drew backing from multiple venture firms, including Benchmark, before Lazarte later joined the firm as a partner.
At Benchmark, his portfolio focused heavily on AI infrastructure and applications, including:
- Mercor: AI-powered recruiting and data labeling
- HeyGen: Video intelligence and generation
- Decart AI: AI infrastructure and optimization tools
His next chapter is expected to build on this experience, likely with a continued focus on AI, infrastructure, and emerging tech ecosystems.
What’s Next?
While details about Lazarte’s new venture are still under wraps, his departure signals a broader trend in venture capital: emerging VCs spinning out to build boutique, high-conviction firms focused on next-gen technologies and founder relationships.
- A source close to Lazarte said he had recently notified portfolio companies of the move
- His track record at Wildlife and Benchmark positions him as a formidable solo investor or new fund leader
Lazarte has yet to reveal whether he will raise outside capital, build a solo GP fund, or assemble a new investment team.
