Sequoia shutting down its Scouts program marks the end of an era

What happened

Sequoia announced a broad overhaul in a memo posted to X. The changes include closing its London office and shutting down its scout program. Some observers say the London closure should not be read too much into, because London has a strong AI scene. The end of scouts says more about where venture investing is going.

What a scout program is

Seventeen years ago, Sequoia created the scout model. Select founders and operators invest on behalf of the firm. Many other VC firms copied the idea as competition for good deals grew. Now many people think the model has reached its limits in its current form.

Key facts

• Sequoia started its scout model 17 years ago.
• Sequoia's scout program ran from at least 2020 for one scout, Roxanne Varza, who served from 2020 to 2025.
• Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) reduced the number of its scouts but gave each one more budget.
• Sequoia's memo said it wants to put 'more energy behind fewer people and things.'

Why it matters

The move suggests that big VC firms now want more focus and fewer, stronger scout relationships. Critics say scouts do not always care much about the investments and can still miss big winners, such as Uber. Supporters say scouting helped build early-stage investing in places like Europe and gave founders a path into investing. Some experts think the programs will be revamped rather than fully end, because firms still want early and niche deals.

What to watch

• Whether other VC firms also shut down their scout programs.
• How rival firms like a16z change their scout networks.
• Whether seasoned operators shift to investing their own money as angels.
• Whether scout programs return in a smaller, more focused form.