Key Takeaways
- • Blueprint Equity expanded its headcount to 21 employees with nine hires since February 2026, strengthening capabilities across investing, value creation, and artificial intelligence operations.
- • The firm closed its $333 million third fund earlier in 2026 and manages more than $600 million in assets under management, positioning itself as a growth equity player focused on vertical software and AI-native technology.
- • Key hire Paul Koch joins as head of artificial intelligence after spending seven years as chief technology officer at Chatmeter, bringing specialized expertise in technology infrastructure and AI strategy.
- • Blueprint's investment strategy targets vertical software, AI-native technology, and technology-enabled services companies with $1 million to $10 million in recurring revenue, taking minority or majority positions across the capital structure.
- • The talent additions—including Kaila Russell (director of talent), Torian Riley (senior associate, value creation), and six analysts and associates—reflect the firm's deliberate build-out of post-investment operational support capabilities alongside its investment team.
Summary
Blueprint Equity, a La Jolla-based growth equity firm founded in 2018, has bolstered its team with nine new hires as of August 2026, bringing the firm's total headcount to 21 people. The expansion reflects the firm's strategy to deepen internal capabilities across deal sourcing, portfolio company operations, and artificial intelligence—a critical differentiator in the current technology investment landscape.
The hiring slate includes several senior-level additions designed to strengthen specific functional areas. Paul Koch has assumed the role of head of artificial intelligence, bringing seven years of experience as chief technology officer at Chatmeter, where he developed expertise in technology infrastructure and AI deployment. Kaila Russell joined as director of talent, signaling Blueprint's commitment to building robust human capital operations across its portfolio. On the investment and value creation side, Torian Riley was hired as senior associate of value creation, while Jack Pimental and Travis Tung joined as associates. The analyst tier expanded with Grace Maloney as senior analyst and Tyler Hibberd, Kylie Pitzak, and Oly Ugorji as analysts, providing additional capacity for deal evaluation and portfolio support.
Blueprint manages over $600 million in assets under management and closed its $333 million third fund earlier in 2026. The firm focuses on growth-stage investments in vertical software, AI-native technology, and technology-enabled services companies generating between $1 million and $10 million in recurring revenue, with flexibility to take either minority or majority positions. Bobby Ocampo, co-founder and managing partner, characterized the recent hires as essential to scaling the firm's investment and operational capabilities during a period of significant fund growth and market expansion.
The hiring activity underscores a broader trend among mid-market growth equity firms to build specialized expertise in artificial intelligence and post-investment value creation—functions that historically were outsourced or handled with lean internal teams. Blueprint's deliberate expansion in these areas suggests confidence in deal flow and conviction around the firm's competitive positioning in growth-stage technology investing.
The hiring slate includes several senior-level additions designed to strengthen specific functional areas. Paul Koch has assumed the role of head of artificial intelligence, bringing seven years of experience as chief technology officer at Chatmeter, where he developed expertise in technology infrastructure and AI deployment. Kaila Russell joined as director of talent, signaling Blueprint's commitment to building robust human capital operations across its portfolio. On the investment and value creation side, Torian Riley was hired as senior associate of value creation, while Jack Pimental and Travis Tung joined as associates. The analyst tier expanded with Grace Maloney as senior analyst and Tyler Hibberd, Kylie Pitzak, and Oly Ugorji as analysts, providing additional capacity for deal evaluation and portfolio support.
Blueprint manages over $600 million in assets under management and closed its $333 million third fund earlier in 2026. The firm focuses on growth-stage investments in vertical software, AI-native technology, and technology-enabled services companies generating between $1 million and $10 million in recurring revenue, with flexibility to take either minority or majority positions. Bobby Ocampo, co-founder and managing partner, characterized the recent hires as essential to scaling the firm's investment and operational capabilities during a period of significant fund growth and market expansion.
The hiring activity underscores a broader trend among mid-market growth equity firms to build specialized expertise in artificial intelligence and post-investment value creation—functions that historically were outsourced or handled with lean internal teams. Blueprint's deliberate expansion in these areas suggests confidence in deal flow and conviction around the firm's competitive positioning in growth-stage technology investing.
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