Key Takeaways
- • Forbes released its 25th anniversary Midas List in 2026, recognizing top-performing venture capital investors based on data-driven submissions from hundreds of VC firms, Forbes reporting, and public market data.
- • The 2026 Midas List reflects venture capital positioned at "the cusp of what could be its greatest returns ever," signaling strong market conditions and deal-making momentum in the sector.
- • Senior investors at Redpoint Ventures, including Scott Raney and Satish Dharmaraj, have maintained elite status on the Midas List, with both appearing on the 2022 edition and representing sustained excellence in venture investing.
- • The Midas List has expanded to become increasingly global, with the 2024 edition noted as "the most global in history," demonstrating venture capital success and investment activity beyond traditional U.S. markets.
- • Rising venture investors are recognized through the companion "Midas Brink List," which identifies up-and-coming deal makers and provides a pipeline of emerging talent within the venture capital ecosystem.
Summary
The Forbes Midas List, now in its 25th anniversary edition as of 2026, remains the industry's preeminent ranking of venture capital's most successful investors. The list is compiled using a rigorous, data-driven methodology incorporating submissions from hundreds of venture capital firms, original Forbes reporting, and publicly available market performance data. The 2026 edition reflects a sector positioned at a critical juncture, with venture capital widely regarded as standing "on the cusp of what could be its greatest returns ever."
Senior investors Scott Raney and Satish Dharmaraj at Redpoint Ventures exemplify the consistency required for sustained recognition on the Midas List, both having appeared on the 2022 edition and maintaining their standing as among the venture industry's most accomplished deal makers. Their longevity on the list underscores the premium placed on long-term track records of successful investments and portfolio company outcomes.
The Midas List ecosystem has expanded beyond the headline rankings to include the "Midas Brink List," which identifies emerging venture investors with rising prominence. These rising investors, often described as having over 25 years of experience in first-round investments and strong track records in developer-first and engineering-focused companies, represent the next generation of venture capital leadership. The Brink List serves as both a recognition mechanism and a talent indicator within institutional venture capital markets.
Notably, the geographic footprint of top venture investors has broadened significantly. The 2024 Midas List was characterized as "the most global in history," reflecting the maturation and expansion of venture capital success beyond traditional U.S. hubs. This globalization trend indicates that institutional capital and deal-making excellence are increasingly distributed across multiple regions and markets, reshaping competitive dynamics within the venture capital industry.
Senior investors Scott Raney and Satish Dharmaraj at Redpoint Ventures exemplify the consistency required for sustained recognition on the Midas List, both having appeared on the 2022 edition and maintaining their standing as among the venture industry's most accomplished deal makers. Their longevity on the list underscores the premium placed on long-term track records of successful investments and portfolio company outcomes.
The Midas List ecosystem has expanded beyond the headline rankings to include the "Midas Brink List," which identifies emerging venture investors with rising prominence. These rising investors, often described as having over 25 years of experience in first-round investments and strong track records in developer-first and engineering-focused companies, represent the next generation of venture capital leadership. The Brink List serves as both a recognition mechanism and a talent indicator within institutional venture capital markets.
Notably, the geographic footprint of top venture investors has broadened significantly. The 2024 Midas List was characterized as "the most global in history," reflecting the maturation and expansion of venture capital success beyond traditional U.S. hubs. This globalization trend indicates that institutional capital and deal-making excellence are increasingly distributed across multiple regions and markets, reshaping competitive dynamics within the venture capital industry.
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