Playground Global
Institutional venture firm, based in Palo Alto, California, reporting $3.3B of fund assets on its funds' Form ADV filings.
Composed from this organization's classification, location and filed figures.
36 additional team members, 36 additional co-investors and affiliates, 23 additional investments, funds and LPs, 22 events, 1 verified contact (1 firm phone)
Every relationship, signal and contact on this record, with the source on each.
Includes 3 days of DFX Intelligence. Then $199/month unless canceled.
What matters now
- 5 vehicleson Form D, 18 months
$536M reported sold so far.
A Form D is filed when a vehicle takes its first money, so these are open to LPs now.
- 2 companiesnew in 12 months
2 new companies in the last 12 months. Took 1 board seat on new Form D filings in 90 days (Qudara).
A firm writing cheques this quarter is one a founder can pitch now.
- 2 departurespeople, 12 months
A team member departed (seen on or before 30 Sep 2026, the day it happened is not on record). 2 departures on record in 12 months.
A partner leaving or arriving changes who decides, and who a founder or LP should call.
- 1 companyportfolio raising
One portfolio company has new financing on record in 6 months without this firm named on the round; the latest on 1 May 2026 ($5.25M sold on Form D).
A portfolio company raising again is a follow-on decision for the firm and a co-investment opening for others.
- 2 dealswith Y Combinator
Invests most often alongside Y Combinator (2 shared deals).
pair last observed on record 1 Oct 2026, not a deal date · The firms it syndicates with are the likeliest to see the same deals and to fill out its rounds.
People to know
View all people- PartnerWhy: Partner: part of the investment decisionNo route on file yet
- PartnerWhy: Partner: part of the investment decisionNo route on file yet
- Managing Director Of Playground Global LlcWhy: Managing directorNo route on file yet
Relationship network
105 connected entities4 observed rounds1 repeat counterparty
From financing rounds and every investor named in them, Form ADV and Form D filings, the firm's funds and team, and disclosed LP commitments in the venture capital graph. A round's amount is the size of the round, not money that moved between two investors.
Some relationships on this record are counted rather than named here. They open with the full profile.
Click any name or line for the rounds and sources behind it. Line weight is rounds together; dashed lines are inferred.
- Sponsor
- Company
- Fund or vehicle
- Person
›How strength and recency are read
Co-investors are read from the rounds: three or more shared rounds is a strong observed relationship, two a repeat co-investor, one a single round. Funds and people are structural. Nothing is scored that a reader cannot check.
Darker lines were active in the last 24 months or are current; lighter lines are older or undated.
How am I connected?
Name your firm, a company or a person, and DFX finds the published routes to Playground Global: a shared portfolio company or board, a prior employer, a co-investor, a shared LP or service provider. Every step is a filed or published record with its source; none is a guess about who knows whom.
See how you connect to Playground Global
Includes 3 days of DFX Intelligence. Then $199/month unless canceled.
Investing
9 companies on record, 2 new in 12 months
Investments on record
What these amounts mean“This investor” is the amount disclosed for this investor alone; it is unknown unless a source said it. The round size is the whole round.Acquired, Public, Exited and Active are what the firm’s own portfolio card says, read on the date shown when you hover the chip; they are not deal dates. A company with no chip is one whose card states no outcome: DFX does not assume it is active.| Company | Round | Role | Partner | Round size | This investor | Date | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | portfolio listing | unknown | unknown | unknown | unknown | Sep 30, 2026 | Fact Firm website |
| Dot | portfolio listing | unknown | unknown | unknown | unknown | Sep 26, 2026 | Fact Company website |
| Qudara Inc. | board seat | unknown · board | Daniel Yum (strongly supported) | unknown | unknown | Aug 18, 2026 | Inference Form D |
Stated thesis versus observed behaviour
- Sectors
- ai, biotech, climate, energy, deep tech, quantum, biology
- Stages
- not stated or not yet read
- Geography
- global
- Check size
- not stated; DFX does not estimate checks from round sizes
Team
37 current, 6 departed
Decision makers
- Benjamin Kim · PartnerWhy this person: Partner: part of the investment decision; Named with investment responsibility
- Daniel Yum · PartnerWhy this person: Partner: part of the investment decision; Named with investment responsibility
- Jory Bell · Managing Director Of Playground Global LlcWhy this person: Managing director; Named with investment responsibility
Ranked by the role the firm or its filing states, a route on file and deals led. Every reason is read from the record, never inferred. Routes are published by the person or the firm (their bio, the team page or a filing) and are revealed on a plan; data bought from a provider is never shown, and a route printed at a firm the person has since left is held back.
Investment team
How the team is orderedPartners who lead rounds first (rounds led, then deals attributed, then seniority), then the rest of the investment team, then investor relations, finance and operations. A person named by two sources under two spellings is shown once.- Partner · 1 deal attributed
- Managing Director Of Playground Global Llc · 1 deal attributed
- Partner
5 departed (kept with end dates)
- Andy Rubin · Managing Director Of Playground Global, Llc And Playground Ventures Gp, Llc · Jan 1, 2015 to Mar 28, 2020 Inference
- Matt Hershenson · Managing Director Of Playground Global, Llc And Playground Ventures Gp, Llc · Jan 1, 2015 to Mar 27, 2024 Inference
- Laurie Jean Yoler · Managing Director Of Playground Global · Jul 1, 2019 to Mar 27, 2024 Inference
Contacts
1 firm phone on record, each with its source. Values open with the complete profile.
Funds and LPs
20 vehicles, 0 LPs disclosed
Funds and vehicles
What these amounts meanGAV is the gross asset value the adviser reported on Form ADV for the vehicle, never the fund’s committed size and never dry powder. Form D sold is the amount sold as of the latest filing, never a final close.| Vehicle | Type | Vintage | Lifecycle | Reported GAV | Owners | Form D sold | Latest Form D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Playground Helix, L.P. | Fund | 2025 form d first sale | Newly closed | unknown | unknown | $5.0M of $5.0M | May 30, 2025 |
| Playground Omega, L.P. | Fund | 2025 form d first sale | Newly closed | unknown | unknown | $3.7M of $3.7M | Jul 8, 2025 |
| Playground Omega 2, L.P. | Fund | 2025 form d first sale | Newly closed | unknown | unknown | $2.2M of $2.2M | Jul 8, 2025 |
Limited partners
Known LPs and allocators
What these amounts and dates areEach commitment is counted once across the pension tape and the allocator graph. A commitment date prints only when the source printed one; otherwise the row carries the report date. A foundation’s 990-PF line is a holding at fair value, never a commitment. Rows without a fund on the venture graph are commitments to this manager.| Allocator | Type | Fund | Amount | Date | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anne Wojcicki Foundation | FOUNDATION | Playground Ventures III, LP | $1.9M fair value on the foundation's return | reported as of Dec 31, 2024 | Fact IRS Form 990 / 990-PF e-file returns |
| Vinik Family Foundation | FOUNDATION | Playground Ventures Affiliates II, L.P. | $3.6M fair value on the foundation's return | reported as of Dec 31, 2024 | Fact IRS Form 990 / 990-PF e-file returns |
| Vinik Family Foundation | FOUNDATION | Playground Ventures III, LP | $168,021 fair value on the foundation's return | reported as of Dec 31, 2024 | Fact IRS Form 990 / 990-PF e-file returns |
Relationships across DFX
39 co-investors · on 2 other DFX graphs
Co-investors
- 2026-10-012 shared deals · recurring
- 2026-10-011 shared deal · one time
- 2026-09-301 shared deal · one time
Across DFX and the capital chainon 2 other DFX graphs · 2 capital paths ShowHide
- The same institution is held on Allocators, RIA and Wealth, matched by identifier. See which records
Playground Global is the same institution as 2 records in Allocators and RIA and Wealth.
DFX found 2 relationships across 2 datasets
Which record it is in each graph, what it is called there, and how the two were matched.
Includes 3 days of DFX Intelligence. Then $199/month unless canceled.
Checking your plan…
Playground Global sits on 2 traced paths of capital across the graphs.
DFX traced 2 paths of capital through this record
Every record on each path, what it committed or lent, and as of when.
Includes 3 days of DFX Intelligence. Then $199/month unless canceled.
Derived from allocator disclosures, BDC schedules and SEC filings; confidence is the weakest hop.
Checking your plan…
Evidence and history
27 dated events, 66 observations from 4 sources
Timeline
- seen on or beforeSep 30, 2026Nate Chang (About us Portfolio People Careers News Events) no longer on the team page of Playground Global
- seen on or beforeSep 30, 2026Gael Huynh (Executive Assistant) no longer on the team page of Playground Global
- Jul 2, 2026Playground Ventures IV, L.P.: the Form D filed 2026-07-02 reports the offering fully sold ($475.0M of $475.0M, 79 investors); a final close is inferred
- Apr 7, 2026Playground Omega, L.P. first reported on Form ADV by Playground Global (Venture Capital Fund), GAV $3,678,156
- Apr 7, 2026Playground Omega 2, L.P. first reported on Form ADV by Playground Global (Venture Capital Fund), GAV $2,206,999
Identity and regulatory footprint
Address, phone, Form ADV filing and ownersForm ADV filed Apr 7, 2026 · 16 private fundsShowHide
- Headquarters
- Palo Alto, CAadviserinfo.sec.gov
- Office address
- unknownadviserinfo.sec.gov
- Business phone
- unknownadviserinfo.sec.gov
- Website
- playground.vc
- SEC adviser type
- Exempt reporting adviseradviserinfo.sec.gov
- SEC exemption claimed
- Venture capital fund adviseradviserinfo.sec.govItem 2.B(1): advises solely venture capital funds
- Latest Form ADV
- Apr 7, 2026
- Private funds reported
- 16 (16 venture capital funds)adviserinfo.sec.gov
- Private fund gross assets, adviser total
- $3.3Badviserinfo.sec.govreported GAV of the funds, the adviser's own number; not fund size, not dry powder
Classification history
Classification history
Every classification this record has carried3 on recordShowHide
- Sep 23, 2026Institutional venture firm (confirmed, 95%)Venture manager, reported GAV $3.3B across 20 vehicles
- Sep 12, 2026Institutional venture firm (confirmed, 95%)Venture manager, reported GAV $2.8B across 15 vehicles
- Sep 12, 2026Institutional venture firm (confirmed, 95%)Venture manager, reported GAV $2.8B across 10 vehicles
Evidence
Every observation behind this profile, with its source, date and class
| Fact | Value | Effective | Class | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Why admitted | VC exemption, VC funds reported | Apr 7, 2026 | Fact | Form ADV |
| SEC exemption claimed | Venture capital fund adviser | Apr 7, 2026 | Fact | Form ADV |
| SEC exemption claimed | Venture capital fund adviser | Mar 27, 2024 | Fact | Form ADV |
| SEC adviser type | Exempt reporting adviser | Apr 7, 2026 | Fact | Form ADV |
| SEC adviser type | Exempt reporting adviser | Apr 7, 2026 | Fact | Form ADV |
| SEC adviser type | Exempt reporting adviser | Mar 27, 2024 | Fact | Form ADV |
| First Form ADV filing | 2015-06-15 | Apr 7, 2026 | Fact | Form ADV |
| First Form ADV filing | 2015-06-15 | Mar 27, 2024 | Fact | Form ADV |
| Adv history loaded | adv-hist-1+panel:2026-09-30 | Oct 1, 2026 | Fact | Form ADV |
| Adv history loaded | adv-hist-1+panel:2026-09-29 | Sep 30, 2026 | Fact | Form ADV |
| Adv history loaded | adv-hist-1+panel:2026-09-25 | Sep 26, 2026 | Fact | Form ADV |
| Adv history loaded | adv-hist-1+panel:2026-09-23 | Sep 24, 2026 | Fact | Form ADV |
| Adv history loaded | adv-hist-1+panel:2026-09-21 | Sep 23, 2026 | Fact | Form ADV |
| Adv history loaded | adv-hist-1+panel:2026-09-22 | Sep 23, 2026 | Fact | Form ADV |
| Adv history loaded | adv-hist-1 | Sep 12, 2026 | Fact | Form ADV |
| Latest Form ADV filing | 2026-04-07 | Apr 7, 2026 | Fact | Form ADV |
| Latest Form ADV filing | 2026-04-07 | Apr 7, 2026 | Fact | Form ADV |
| Latest Form ADV filing | 2024-03-27 | Mar 27, 2024 | Fact | Form ADV |
| SEC status | Apr 7, 2026 | Fact | Form ADV | |
| SEC status effective | 2015-06-15 | Apr 7, 2026 | Fact | Form ADV |
| Venture share of reported funds | 1 | Apr 7, 2026 | Fact | Form ADV |
| Venture share of reported funds | 1 | Mar 27, 2024 | Fact | Form ADV |
| Business phone | Apr 7, 2026 | Fact | Form ADV | |
| Business phone | Mar 27, 2024 | Fact | Form ADV | |
| Headquarters | Palo Alto, CA | Apr 7, 2026 | Fact | Form ADV |
| Headquarters | Palo Alto, CA | Mar 27, 2024 | Fact | Form ADV |
| Office address | Apr 7, 2026 | Fact | Form ADV | |
| Office address | Mar 27, 2024 | Fact | Form ADV | |
| Legal form | Limited Liability Company | Apr 7, 2026 | Fact | Form ADV |
| Legal form | Limited Liability Company | Mar 27, 2024 | Fact | Form ADV |
| Portfolio page | Sep 30, 2026 | Fact | ||
| Portfolio page | Sep 16, 2026 | Fact | ||
| Portfolio page | Sep 12, 2026 | Fact | ||
| Private funds reported | 16 | Apr 7, 2026 | Fact | Form ADV |
| Private funds reported | 16 | Apr 7, 2026 | Fact | Form ADV |
| Private funds reported | 10 | Mar 27, 2024 | Fact | Form ADV |
| Private fund gross assets (reported) | $3.3B | Apr 7, 2026 | Fact | Form ADV |
| Private fund gross assets (reported) | $3.3B | Apr 7, 2026 | Fact | Form ADV |
| Private fund gross assets (reported) | $2.8B | Mar 27, 2024 | Fact | Form ADV |
| Schedule a diff | sadiff-1 | Apr 7, 2026 | Fact | Form ADV |
| Stated geography | global “geography words on the home page” | Sep 30, 2026 | Fact | |
| Stated geography | global “geography words on the home page” | Sep 16, 2026 | Fact | |
| Stated geography | global “geography words on the home page” | Sep 12, 2026 | Fact | |
| Stated sectors | AI, biotech, climate, energy, deep tech, quantum, biology “sector words on the home page” | Sep 30, 2026 | Fact | |
| Stated sectors | AI, biotech, climate, energy, deep tech, quantum, biology “sector words on the home page” | Sep 16, 2026 | Fact | |
| Stated sectors | AI, biotech, climate, energy, deep tech, quantum, biology “sector words on the home page” | Sep 12, 2026 | Fact | |
| Team page | Sep 30, 2026 | Fact | ||
| Team page | Sep 16, 2026 | Fact | ||
| Team page | Sep 12, 2026 | Fact | ||
| Venture funds reported | 16 | Apr 7, 2026 | Fact | Form ADV |
| Venture funds reported | 16 | Apr 7, 2026 | Fact | Form ADV |
| Venture funds reported | 10 | Mar 27, 2024 | Fact | Form ADV |
| Website | Mar 27, 2024 | Fact | Form ADV | |
| Site title | Sep 30, 2026 | Fact | ||
| Site title | Sep 16, 2026 | Fact | ||
| Site title | Sep 12, 2026 | Fact |
How this is scored
Scores, classification basis and filing advisersInstitutional venture firm, confirmedShowHide
Venture manager, reported GAV $3.3B across 20 vehicles
- importance
- gav: 0.76 · funds: 1 · people: 0.96 · investments: 0.39 · co investors: 0.64
- active deployment
- investments 12m: 0.25 · fund raising 18m: 0 · people joined 12m: 0 · vintage within 3y: 1 · latest investment at: 2026-08-18
- emerging manager
- fund count: 20 · reported gav: $3.3B · first adv filing: 2015-06-15 · years since first filing: 11.3
Fits, record history and connections
scored matches for this investor, every identity change, every edge
Record history
- Adviser's first ADV filing2015-06-15source on record
The ledger records every merge, rename and reclassification this record went through and the dated filings observed on it, so the identity on this page can be traced to the records it was built from. The ledger's own sentences name other records, so they show with the names.