We strive to help mission-driven founders build inspiring, valuable companies from inception to exit

Travis Montaque, Founder and CEO of Holler
Travis Montaque Founder & CEO Holler
Sea Briganti, Founder and CEO of Loliware
Sea Briganti Co-Founder & CEO Loliware
Dipanwita Das, Founder and CEO of Sorcero
Dipanwita Das Co-Founder & CEO Sorcero
Lauren Salz, Co-Founder of Sealed
Lauren Salz Co-Founder & CEO Sealed

Why We Exist

The famous “hockey stick graph” looks mythical and smooth from afar, but look closely, and the true story of entrepreneurship emerges. Throughout the daily mix of ups and downs, we are there with our founders, every step of the way.

Why We Exist

Founding Principles

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    Integrity, excellence, measurable performance, and hard work underlie everything we accomplish.

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    Growing great companies is all about people.

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    We believe sustainable companies and diverse founding teams make for more successful investments.

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    The structure and model of venture capital itself is changing.

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    Companies need more than money, especially in the early stages.

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    Core problems facing early stage entrepreneurs are largely the same, regardless of sector.

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    Most entrepreneurs – even the most brilliant – are facing challenges for the first time. We’ve been there.

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    Unicorns are great, but not every successful company needs to follow this particular narrative.

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    Our involvement is designed to help increase the chances of success for our founders

About Us

Positive impact makes for stronger companies

  • 100% High Impact Companies
  • 73% Diverse Founding Teams H/L Studio
  • 100% Diverse Founding Teams CityRock Ventures

We invest at the nexus of growth, impact and diversity.
We believe that impactful companies that solve real problems for real people yield better results. We also know that diverse founders build great companies and teams, but often lack ready access to funding and resources. For us, diversity includes underrepresented minority groups in tech, including by gender, ethnicity, economic situation, LGBTQ+, and military service, among others.

Our Impact Thesis
Click this footnote for disclosures

Statistics based upon current H/L Ventures Portfolio as of 3/31/21.

Positive Impact Makes for Stronger Companies

H/L Ventures is a Company Building Ecosystem

Since its founding in 2009, H/L Ventures has forged a new way to build companies. H/L Ventures’ unique approach combines Daily Active Engagement with every portfolio company and a focus on investing in growth, impact, and diversity. Today, H/L Ventures manages a family of companies and funds that together comprise a holistic company-building ecosystem.

Our Portfolio & Our Founders

Our Portfolio

  • CNote
  • Holler
  • KDCAg
  • Loliware
  • Sealed
  • Sorcero
View Our Portfolio

Our Founders

  • Travis Montaque
  • Dan Nielsen
  • Marie Kloor
  • Andy Frank
  • Dipanwita Das
  • Carli Blum
Meet Our Founders

Press & Media

NEXUS Impact Accelerator in partnership with H/L Ventures, BNP Paribas Wealth Management, and sponsors
Press

NEXUS Impact Accelerator in partnership with H/L Ventures, BNP Paribas Wealth Management, and sponsors

NEXUS, a unique community representing over $700B in family assets with a deep dedication to social impact, today announced the launch of its second annual NEXUS Impact Accelerator. To help manage this exciting program, NEXUS is partnering with H/L Ventures ("H/L"), one of the original venture studios and New York's most active firm focused on impact and diversity. Working together, the NEXUS Impact Accelerator team is primed to bring value to impact-driven start-ups by combining powerful networks, varied experience, diversity in all respects, and potential access to capital.

Andie Swim Raises $18.5M from Jay-Z’s Venture Fund
Press

Andie Swim Raises $18.5M from Jay-Z’s Venture Fund

Andie Swim has announced the closing of its Series B round led by Marcy Venture Partners with participation from CityRock and Gaingels, among others.

Looking Past Charismatic Would-Be Billionaires – To Diversity & Returns
Press

Looking Past Charismatic Would-Be Billionaires – To Diversity & Returns

Forbes interviewed H/L's Co-Founder Oliver Libby to discuss ways the firm has leveraged diversity and impact as a competitive advantage in VC.

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Press Disclaimers

Press Disclaimers

The views expressed in these articles and commentaries are those of the author at the time created. They do not necessarily reflect the views of H/L Ventures or any of its officers, directors, members or employees generally. These views are subject to change at any time based on market and other conditions, and H/L Ventures disclaims any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied upon as investment advice or as an indication of investment intent on behalf of H/L Ventures or any H/L Ventures portfolio and should not be construed as an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy securities or any product mentioned in any article. H/L Ventures has received certain nominations or awards by third-parties as reflected herein. Readers should review criteria for each nomination or award as reflected on the third-party’s web page.

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