GoKawiilSequoia ends scout investing program, closes London office
Sequoia announced in a memo posted to X that it is shutting down its scout program, which let selected founders and operators invest on the firm's behalf, and closing its London office. The firm described the changes as part of a push toward more focus rather than a critique of the scouts model itself.
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VC Sheel Mohnot argues scouts never made strategic sense and predicts other firms will follow Sequoia's lead in winding theirs down, suggesting a broader industry shift away from the 'spray and pray' scouting approach Sequoia pioneered 17 years ago. Rival a16z has already narrowed its own scout network to fewer, more active participants, which could indicate venture firms are consolidating deal-sourcing strategies amid intensified competition.
- Sequoia is closing both its scout investing program and its London office.
- The firm framed the move as part of a broader push for focus, not an explicit rejection of scouting.
- Some VCs expect other firms to scale back similar scout programs following Sequoia's decision.
Source: techcrunch.com — Anna Heim, 2026-11-07
Published there as: “Sequoia shutting down its Scouts program marks the end of an era”
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