Henry McCance stands as a pivotal figure in the history of Greylock Partners, having dedicated over five decades to the firm as both a partner and a guiding friend. His journey with Greylock began in 1969, following his service in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, marking the start of an era of significant growth and strategic investment for the venture capital firm.
McCance’s early vision was instrumental in steering Greylock Partners towards the burgeoning software industry. He championed and supported pioneering companies that would become market leaders, including American Management Systems, Pansophic, Cullinane, McCormack and Dodge, and VM Software. These strategic investments solidified Greylock’s position at the forefront of technology venture capital and demonstrated McCance’s keen eye for identifying transformative businesses.
Henry McCance
Henry McCance, Chairman Emeritus of Greylock Partners, a pioneer in venture capital and technology investment.
During his remarkable 40-year tenure, Greylock Partners experienced substantial expansion, launching twelve partnerships and accumulating committed capital exceeding $2 billion. McCance’s leadership was integral to building a portfolio of approximately 300 developing companies, contributing significantly to the innovation ecosystem. His profound impact on the venture capital landscape was recognized in 2004 with the National Venture Capital Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Further acknowledging his contributions, McCance and Greylock’s founding partners received the Harvard Business School Award for Alumni Achievement in 2003. In 2000, Forbes recognized Henry McCance as one of the top 10 venture capitalists in the nation, underscoring his industry influence and investment acumen.
McCance’s direct involvement extended to serving on the boards and leading Greylock Partners’ investments in a diverse range of successful companies. These included Tellabs, Shiva Corporation, Manugistics, Trilogy, ABT Corporation, Narrative Communications, Gradient Technologies, Information Resources, Epsilon, and Gateway Design. His strategic guidance also benefited Continental Cablevision, where he served on the Board of Directors for an impressive 25 years, showcasing his long-term commitment to fostering growth and value creation. A graduate of Yale University and Harvard Business School, McCance brought a strong academic foundation to his practical expertise in venture capital.
In 2010, McCance broadened his investment portfolio by becoming a partner in Fenway Sports Group, demonstrating his diverse business interests. Fenway Sports Group’s holdings include prominent sports franchises such as the Boston Red Sox and Liverpool Football Club, alongside media assets like NESN and a stake in Roush Fenway Racing.
Beyond his venture capital and sports investments, Henry McCance is deeply committed to philanthropic endeavors. He co-founded the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund in 2004, applying a venture capital-inspired model to fund groundbreaking research in Alzheimer’s Disease. He also serves on the Advisory Committee of the McCance Center for Brain Health at MGH, further emphasizing his dedication to advancing brain health research. His ongoing advisory roles include the Advisory Committee of 83 North (formerly Greylock Israel), Board membership at New Profit, and Trustee at The McCance Foundation. Previously, McCance contributed to Yale University as a member of the Yale Investment Committee from 2003 to 2011.
Henry McCance’s enduring legacy at Greylock Partners is marked by his strategic vision, commitment to innovation, and profound impact on both the venture capital industry and the broader business world. His leadership and investment insights have been instrumental in shaping Greylock Partners into the esteemed firm it is today.
