TLDR:
- VC Firm Eclipse has hired Jiten Behl from Rivian to invest in modernizing industries like manufacturing and transportation.
- Eclipse raised $1.2 billion for new funds and has a focus on areas such as manufacturing, transportation, and electrification.
Bloomberg Silicon Valley investment firm Eclipse has hired Jiten Behl, a former chief growth officer at Rivian, to join them as a partner in California. Behl, with no prior venture investing experience, will focus on areas he’s familiar with, such as transport and energy. Eclipse, based in Palo Alto, is focusing on modernizing industries like manufacturing, supply chains, transportation, and electrification. The firm raised $1.2 billion for two new funds less than a year ago and has already backed startups in various sectors.
Behl played a significant role at Rivian, assisting in launching two consumer EVs and a van for Amazon.com Inc., the biggest investor in Rivian. His experience in guiding a startup from its inception to market entry will be valuable in supporting founders at Eclipse. One of the key lessons Behl learned at Rivian is the importance of ensuring a clear focus and addressing the question of why a new company is needed in a specific segment.
Eclipse’s team includes other Rivian and Tesla alumni, aligning with the firm’s focus on manufacturing and transportation industries. Charly Mwangi, a former manufacturing executive at Rivian and Tesla, is one of Eclipse’s partners leading the pursuit of startups in their early stages. Greg Reichow, who spent five years at Tesla, is also part of Eclipse’s team.
