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Tech analyst will test VC waters

Bill Gurley, one of Wall Street's most respected technology analysts, is leaving Deutsche Morgan Grenfell to become a partner at Hummer Winblad Venture Partners.

Jeff Pelline Staff Writer, CNET News.com
Jeff Pelline is editor of CNET News.com. Jeff promises to buy a Toyota Prius once hybrid cars are allowed in the carpool lane with solo drivers.
Jeff Pelline
One of Wall Street's most respected technology analysts is leaving Deutsche Morgan Grenfell Technology Group to become a partner at Hummer Winblad Venture Partners.

"We are very excited about Bill Gurley joining our team," John Hummer of Hummer Winblad said today. "I feel like Red Auerbach when he drafted Larry Bird as a junior. We got the best pick in the draft."

Hummer Winblad also said it had formed a third $100 million fund, Hummer Winblad Venture Partners III.

The Hummer Winblad venture fund invests solely in software companies. With Fund III, created by John Hummer, Ann Winblad, and Mark Gorenberg, the venture capital firm now manages $200 million that is targeted at software firms.

Prior to DMG, Gurley was an equity research analyst at C.S. First Boston. He holds a bachelor's degree in computer engineering from the University of Florida and a master's in business administration from the University of Texas.