Key Elements for a New Day in VC

Oliver Libby outlines the key steps the venture industry needs to take to ensure that we are behaving responsibly enough to avoid heavy-handed governance and regulation.

CNote’s Yuliya Tarasava Named to Inc.’s Female Founders 200 List

Yuliya was recognized for helping close the wealth gap through financial innovation.

Fast Company: Do Good Foods among 10 most innovative in agriculture of 2023

Do Good Foods upcycles surplus food into feed for its all-natural, cage-free chickens, each of which save four pounds of unused groceries from entering a landfill.

Fast Company: Group Black among 10 most innovative in media of 2023

Group Black strives to create a sustainable and more equitable media ecosystem.

Sunscoop’s novelty product Sundrops launches at Sprouts

Inspired by classic novelty ice cream treats, Sundrops feature Sunscoop’s signature creamy, coconut cream-based ice cream layered with cookie dough and coated in a rich chocolate shell.

Sealed Among Inc.’s 17 Ventures That Embody the U.N.’s 17 SDGs

Sealed collects data about a potential customer's home, including energy usage, utility costs, size, age, and geographic location. It then runs an analysis to calculate how much in energy costs could be saved with certain upgrades, from adding insulation to installing new HVAC systems and heat pumps.

Automotus Raises $9M to Scale Automated Curb Management Tech

Automotus works with cities like Santa Monica, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, Omaha and Bethlehem to automate payments for vehicle unloading and parking, enforce curb violations and manage preferred loading zones and discounted rates for commercial EVs, the startup said.

InCitu raises $2M to Bring Future City Developments to Life via AR

“With the support of global leaders in technology and real estate, inCitu is poised to help democratize and revolutionize how citizens visualize the future of their own neighborhoods and cities,” said Chermesh-Reshef. “We are restoring trust and transparency into how cities, developers, communities and technology companies interact to allow for urban development.”

H/L Ventures part of Inc.’s annual Founder-Friendly Investors list

We are thrilled to share that H/L Ventures is part of Inc's fourth annual Founder-Friendly Investors list! Thank you to Inc. Magazine for shining light on how we invest in growth, impact, and diversity! We're proud to represent ALL founders. Being founder-friendly isn't just something we do, it's who we are and our investment thesis is predicated on active engagement.

Crain’s NY: H/L Ventures Among Top Leading Active VCs in New York

We are honored to be listed as one of the most active VC firms in NYC for the third year in a row and after a most challenging period in the history of our city and country.

Demi Moore’s New Swimwear Collaboration With Andie Launches

Today, the actor has released her first collection with the swimwear label Andie, which consists of 10 styles and ranges from $75-$155.

Andie Founder Melanie Travis on Fundraising for Her Swimwear Startup

Travis discusses facing gender bias from investors, how inclusivity catapulted her startup's success, and how brands are getting LGBTQ+ marketing all wrong. (Hint: stop rainbow-washing your brand each June.)

Vivvi partners with Athleta and Allyson Felix to provide childcare at the US National Championships

Vivvi will be offering programming for infants, toddlers, and school-age kids: activities could include ice-cube painting with food coloring, playdough-making for toddlers, and card and board games for older children.

CityRock investment BlocPower among the 2022 CNBC Disruptor 50

The 2022 CNBC Disruptors are 50 private companies growing and innovating through a challenging market and changed world, while inspiring change in their larger, incumbent competitors.

Apple and CNote partner to put $25 million in CDs at mission-driven financial institutions

By putting cash in these institutions, Apple will help expand the credit unions’ capacity to work with customers, allowing more community members to get low-interest loans and avoid predatory lenders.

Walnut Announces a $110M Series A to Increase Access to Affordable Care for Every American

Walnut raised $110M in a Series A round led by Gradient Ventures with strong participation from new and existing investors including Newark Ventures, Afore Capital, 2048 Ventures, CityRock Ventures, AngelList, Weekend Fund, Company Ventures, Banana Capital, Goodwater Capital, and Muse Capital. Founders and executives from Teachable, Clearbit, and Afterpay also participated. The round is composed of $10M in equity financing and $100M in debt financing; the debt portion of the round was provided by Clear Haven Capital.

The Quakes partner with Aunt Flow to ensure access to cost-free menstrual products

The San Jose Earthquakes will install and regularly restock pad and tampon dispensers in all 15 women’s and family restrooms at PayPal Park and the adjacent Front Office building. The club will have these available to employees and fans beginning on Saturday, April 2 when the Quakes host Austin FC.

Sealed will eat the cost of decarbonizing your home if it can’t cut your energy waste

If you own a home, Sealed has a heat pump to sell you. The Manhattan-based startup, which helps homeowners replace their oil- and gas-gulping heating systems via an unusual financing model, has secured an additional $29.5 million in a new deal led by property-tech investor Fifth Wall. Other investors, including Robert Downey Jr.’s FootPrint Coalition and CityRock, also chipped in.

Vivvi in Forbes: The ROI of Childcare in a Post-Pandemic World

The numbers make it clear that existing employer benefits don’t do enough to support caregivers. The cost of child care continues to rise, now accounting for the single biggest line-item expense for the average American family (more than housing, healthcare and food). Imagine how much more valued these workers would feel and how much more productive they could be if companies invested in child care.

Sealed announces $29.5 million in new funding to stop home energy waste and electrify all homes

Sealed today announced the expansion of its Series B funding with an additional $29.5 million equity investment led by Fifth Wall Climate Tech with participation from Robert Downey Jr.’s FootPrint Coalition, CityRock Venture Partners, Cyrus Capital and Keyframe Capital, bringing its total capital raised to $62.5 million.

LOLIWARE in Forbes: How To Make Plastic Disappear

Loliware introduces seaweed pellets that can replace plastic at scale. The brand puts the spotlight on straws, but that’s just the beginning.

CityRock invests in Aunt Flow’s $8.5M Series A round to bring menstrual products to corporate tenants across the U.S

"People are excited to go back to the office," says founder and CEO Claire Coder. "And with that, there will be an opportunity for us to continue to stock organizations."

A Discussion with Lauren Salz, Co-Founder and CEO, Sealed

Lauren Salz sat down with award-winning technology journalist Emily Chang to discuss her company's mission and her personal journey as a founder.

Aunt Flow’s CEO Among Leaders Driving the Modern Menstrual Movement

GirlBoss featured 29 changemakers in the period industry. Aunt Flow disrupts the status quo by making quality period products free and accessible in public restrooms.

BlocPower: Turning every home into the equivalent of a Tesla

BlocPower is tackling climate change by giving every homeowner the opportunity to electrify - starting in low- and middle-income communities.

BlocPower Among Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies of 2022

BlocPower has launched projects in more than 25 cities across the United States, including Ithaca, New York, in 2021, making it the first city with a plan to fully decarbonize buildings.

Bloomberg Green: As Energy Prices Soar, Weatherizing Homes Gains New Appeal

A new financing model from a New York startup called Sealed promises to spare homeowners the upfront investment and the hassle of coordinating contractors.

Crain’s NY: Vivvi raises $15M to build high-quality child care centers in NYC

Vivvi provides child care and early education. With programs across the country, including on-campus, in-home, in-office, care cash and virtual tutoring, Vivvi partners with employers of all sizes to make child care more accessible and affordable.

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

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

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.

BlocPower’s CEO Donnel Baird Wants to Electrify Every Building in America

Donnel Baird is on a mission to ensure that everyone gets heating and cooling—the green way. No fossil fuels, no gas, just clean electricity.

Hydra Studios in the Washington Post: How Luxury Survived the Pandemic

"The quest for high-end possessions and experiences didn’t disappear. In fact, it expanded",- says Washington Post in the Creators Issue.

Ithaca partners with Blocpower to decarbonize its buildings by 2030

BlocPower, a Brooklyn-based climate-tech startup, was selected to partner with the city of Ithaca in the plan to decarbonize its buildings.

Andie Swim Opens Winter Pop-up Shop in Florida

Andie Swim is opening its first brick-and-mortar store, a pop-up in West Palm Beach, Fla., today; it will run through April 30.

Blocpower & Sealed Among the 7 Rising Climate Tech Startups

Business Insider spoke with VCs that invest in climate tech to discuss the most notable startups in the industry.

BlocPower to bring rooftop Wi-Fi to 100,000 Bronx residents

The South Bronx network, which includes 50 public housing buildings, should be online in a couple weeks, Donnel Baird, founder of BlocPower, told The Hill.

This Entrepreneur Made a Splash in the $16 Billion Swimwear Market By Listening to Her Customers

Andie Swim's Melanie Travis and her entrepreneurial grit behind the success and thriving of the swimwear brand during and post-pandemic.

CityRock Co-Leads Sorcero’s Series A to Scale the Language Intelligence Platform

Sorcero announced Thursday a $10 million Series A round of funding to continue scaling its medical and technical language intelligence platform.

NYC Venture Capital Fund Aims to Invest in Diverse Entrepreneurs

We sat down with NBC's Linda Gaudino and several of our portfolio founders to talk diversity, entrepreneurship and what it's like to get funding from CityRock.

Nutrition Companies MEND and Upgraid Join Forces

MEND, a leader in acute condition-focused clinical nutrition and Upgraid, a leader in science-backed, plant-based products for holistic health, are joining forces. Together, the combined company offers quality, evidence-based nutrition with proven outcomes, inspired by the mission to make “Food as Medicine” easy for all.  Moving forward, both companies and their products will live under the MEND brand.

Demi Moore and Daughters Wear Matching Swimsuits in Andie’s Latest Campaign

InStyle magazine gets an exclusive look at the stunning photos from the cult-favorite brand.

At SineWave, Early Returns Soar By Bridging Startups To The Public Sector

Sinewave is in Forbes today! We celebrate our friends and close partners Yanev Suissa, Vivek Ladsariya, Pat Muoi, and Chris Gaughan, for the enormous success of their first fund and investments like Databricks, Sentinel One, and Evolv, featured in this piece by Alex Konrad.

Actor Claire Holt Announces New Ventures Including an Andie Swim Collab

As the world reopens, Holt is excited to announce a new venture. "I am actually working with a brand called Andie Swim doing a swim collaboration," she says. "I really loved it, because designing is something I've never really done before. And this time at home during the pandemic has allowed me to explore other avenues outside of acting," she explains.

Andie Swim Debuts its First Celebrity Collab with Claire Holt

The collection, co-designed by Holt, pays homage to Australia's beaches, with styles named after famous locations such as The Gold Coast, Bondi, Bronte and Byron Bay.

CityRock Ventures and Managing Partner Oliver Libby in the Financial Times

H/L's Oliver Libby spoke to FT's Temple West about the power VCs have to create change in the industry and the launch of H/L's growth fund, CityRock Ventures.

Sealed Raises $16M Series B to Modernize Residential Heating and Cooling

Lauren Salz, co-founder and CEO of Sealed, discusses the company's green mission and new Series B funding round on Cheddar TV.

H/L Ventures Announces Closing of its CityRock Venture Capital Fund

CityRock, like all H/L Ventures investment funds, is focused on investing in companies at the nexus of growth, impact, and diversity.

Crunchbase Strategy Session: H/L Makes Investing In Diverse Founders Its Mission

Oliver Libby spoke to Crunchbase's Christine Hall about his mission to work with diverse founders, investing in renewable energy, and other sectors he has his eye on.

BlocPower’s Donnel Baird is a 2021 Columbia University Entrepreneur of the Year

We are celebrating the Founder & CEO of Blocpower, Donnel Baird, on receiving the much-deserved Entrepreneur of the Year award.

CNote among mission-driven financial institutions to receive PayPal’ deposit of $135MM

CNote among the mission-driven financial institutions and management funds to receive PayPal’s deposit of $135 million of its capital to fight barriers to economic equity.

CNote featured in a Forbes piece about community investing

The story behind CNote’s Promise Account and what sparked the desire to build the infrastructure and technology to enable community investing.

Andie Swim among the top 8 innovative swimwear brands featured by Fast Company

These 8 innovative swimwear brands will keep you looking (and feeling) great all summer.

How And Why To Lean Into Your Strengths As A Diverse Leader

H/L’s Venture Partner Tanya Perkins was interviewed by Forbes.

Holler raises $36M Series B, co-led by CityRock Ventures

Holler, described by founder and CEO Travis Montaque as “a conversational media company,” just announced that it has raised $36 million in Series B funding.

Block by block, Donnel Baird of Blocpower aims to fight injustice and save the planet

Solar panels and clean heat shouldn’t be limited to the wealthy, says Donnel Baird, who’s bringing green power to low-income neighborhoods.

Sealed among Fast Company’s 10 most innovative energy companies of 2021

Whether delivering electricity to remote communities or providing road maps to guide cities toward achieving carbon neutrality, these 10 companies are creating solutions to some of the world’s most pressing energy challenges.

Crain’s ranks H/L as one of the most active VC firms in NYC for the second year in a row

Thank you Crain's New York Business – we are honored to be listed as one of the most active VC firms in NYC for the second year in a row and after a most challenging year in the history of our City and country.

Bringing jobs and health benefits, BlocPower unlocks energy efficiency retrofits for low-income communities

Retrofitting buildings to make them more energy efficient and better at withstanding climate change-induced extreme weather is going to be a big, multibillion-dollar business. But it’s one that’s been hard for low-income communities to tap, thanks to obstacles ranging from faulty incentive structures to an inability to adequately plan for which upgrades will be most effective in which buildings.

BlocPower Raises $63 Million Series A to Green Urban Buildings and Creates Innovative Financing Solution Alongside the Goldman Sachs Urban Investment Group

Funding Fuels Expansion to Scale "Green Heat" Building Sustainability Upgrades Across the U.S. to Address Climate Change, High Unemployment Rates, Public Health, and Economic Inequality.

Here’s what you should do in New York City from art and shopping to wellness and cuisine.

The newest self-care destination in New York City has been strategically designed with COVID-19 restrictions as top priorities. The flagship Hydra Studios location on Wall Street opened on January 4, 2021 after construction halted in March due to the pandemic. The founders of this wellness studio, fitness oasis, and luxury outpost used this time to reimagine the space with new industry standards in mind to keep clients as safe as possible.

Sandhya Murali is putting clean energy in the hands of ordinary Americans

Rooftop solar panels are a triple-threat. They allow people to save money on electricity, invest in renewable energy, and help combat the climate crisis. Unfortunately, the majority of Americans – 80% in fact – cannot install a rooftop system. Sandhya Murali is changing that.

CNote Raises $3 Million to Scale Technology-Enabled Investment Into America’s Most Underserved Communities

CNote, a women-founded and led financial technology platform that makes it easy to invest in economic inclusion, has closed a $3 million dollar oversubscribed private funding round to extend its reach in the fast-growing socially responsible investing space.

Upgraid and Naturex announce collaboration

Organic wellness company Upgraid has announced a collaboration with Naturex, part of Givaudan, to expand its product portfolio.

Upgraid Joins Forces with Naturex to Deliver Organic Ingredients Backed by Clinical Science

Upgraid, the first ever wellness company with a science-based approach, has announced a collaboration with Naturex, part of Givaudan, to expand its product portfolio.

Hydra Studios Raises $3.8M for its Network of Wellness Spaces

Hydra Studios, an operator of wellness spaces in the city launched by two Goldman alums, is looking to serve this market through its network of spaces for people to relax, workout, and recharge at convenient locations throughout the city as we began pondering life post-COVID.

Funders Begin to Look Upstream — to Women

Portfolios have better returns when diverse backgrounds and minds collaborate to build strong companies.

California Safe Soil and KDC Ag Expand Breakthrough Food Recycling Technology Nationwide

Acclaimed West Coast ag-tech startup, California Safe Soil (CSS), today announced it has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with KDC Ag for the nationwide development and commercialization of its patented food waste conversion and fertilizer technology.

Fast Company Impact Council: 2020 Members

These forward-thinking business leaders have lent their knowledge and expertise to Fast Company throughout the year.

#NYCtech Week in Review: 10/4/20-10/10/20

Cloud4Wi, the location-based data platform, has raised $2.55M in funding according to a recent SEC filing.

Andie Swim raises $6.5 million to invest in expansion

New York city-based swimwear brand Andie Swim announced on Thursday the closing of a Series A funding round of $6.5 million, which will allow the direct-to consumer company to further expand.

Andie and Toluca Challenge Swimwear Norms With Inclusive Sizing

Swimsuit startups are making waves in a global market estimated to reach $28 billion by 2024, according to Allied Market Research.

Andie Swim Raises $6.5M Series A To Take The Pain Out Of Buying A Swimsuit

Andie Swim closed on a $6.5 million Series A round of funding from a group that includes CityRock Venture Partners and Trail Mix Ventures. The new funding gives the company a total of $8 million raised, which included initial capital from angel investors, Travis said.

Andie Swim Raises $6.5 Million for Expansion

The online-only swim brand is already profitable and seeing strong sales, even amid the pandemic.

Andie Swim Raises $6.5 Million Series A Round to Transform the Data Driven Swimwear Ecommerce Experience

Funding to Fuel Next Phase of Growth, Product Lines and Collaboration.

NVCA Member Spotlight: Hatzimemos / Libby

Welcome to our Member Spotlight series where we give a profile overview of our many diverse members. For this deep dive, we spoke to Oliver B. Libby, Managing Partner of Hatzimemos / Libby.

Investing at the Nexus of Growth, Impact, and Diversity in the Time of COVID-19

At H/L Ventures, our team has focused on our values during this unusual and, in many ways, tragic year.

This is War: How the CoronaVirus Will Accelerate Innovation

Wartime spawns innovation. Normally, this happens during a war between people, like World War II or the Cold War. Rapid innovation is a hallmark of these cataclysmic events in human history, from penicillin to Moon rockets; from radar and sonar to microwave ovens; and more. Massive government and private sector funding flows to solve urgent needs, and our society responds to threats by creating new things. Lives are on the line.

Three VC trends Covid-19 is accelerating

Times are difficult right now, but promising signs in regard to deals terms, impact investing and engagement are boding well, writes Oliver Libby, managing partner and co-founder of venture firm Hatzimemos / Libby.

The Long and Winding Road

Will we ever be back to our pre-February “normal?”

UPGRAID Announces Global Team of Investors, Athletes, Celebrities, and Pharmaceutical Executives Joining to Revolutionize Human Health

Using a Scientific Approach to clinically studied organic ingredients, UPGRAID aims to address some of society's largest daily health problems.

AI startup, Sorcero, partners with nation’s largest electrical training program to enable next-gen remote digital content delivery, training and performance support

The long-term partnership will enable competency-based model and is a major milestone in the application of augmentation AI that supports critical sectors and advanced jobs training for the advanced energy, lighting, and communication technologies critical to our nation’s infrastructure

Loliware’s kelp-based plastic alternatives snag $6M seed round from eco-conscious investors

The last few years have seen many cities ban plastic bags, plastic straws and other common forms of waste, giving environmentally conscious alternatives a huge boost — among them Loliware, purveyor of fine disposable goods created from kelp.

Seaweed Straws Leader Supported by Venture Capital

LOLIWARE, the world's leading seaweed-based material technology company replacing plastics, announced the close of a $6MM financing round, led by prominent NY venture firm Hatzimemos / Libby.

The Brief: Blended climate finance, lab-grown meat, JPMorgan’s development finance, circular economy for plastics, Sorenson’s Winter Innovation Summit

Loliware fights ‘status quo’ for straws

A New York-based material technology company clinched $6 million in venture capital and aims to boost manufacturing of its flagship biodegradable straw in hopes of replacing single-use plastic straws.

Loliware closes $6MM venture round with top impact investors

LOLIWARE, the world's leading seaweed-based material technology company replacing plastics, announced the close of a $6MM financing round, led by prominent NY venture firm Hatzimemos / Libby.

The NYC Venture Capital News Digest: 12/2/2019

This bi-weekly column covers the latest news from venture capital firms in NYC for the second half of November 2019 featuring must know news including news for Harlem Capital Partners, CityRock Venture Partners, and much more.

Finding free money for your social impact startup

Some venture capitalists have a bias against startups with an explicit positive social impact on the grounds that they have a smaller addressable market, and that the founders are not sufficiently focused on creating shareholder wealth.

How New York can be the new Silicon Valley — without Amazon

We shouldn't rely on help from the West Coast when NYC is full of homegrown talent that merely needs support.

How The Military May Hold a Key to the Skills Gap Paradox

Anyone who cares about the wealth and opportunity divide in this country has to be frustrated with the range of our policy options to fix the problem.

High-class startup problems: “Failing forward”

The phrase “fail forward,” repeated to the point of cliché, is part of the modern gospel of the innovation economy.

America Needs To Reclaim Our Entrepreneurial Spirit

If we fail to come up with good answers for America’s workforce, the American Dream and all that flows from it will not survive.

Emogi Closes $12.6 Million in Series A Funding

Emogi is a Conversational Content Leader Helping People Have Better Conversations and Deeper Emotional Expression in Messaging

Too many aspiring entrepreneurs want to be hoodie-clad billionaires

In today’s world, Silicon Valley founders like Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk seem to represent the only startup goal worth striving for. Unless you’re a hoodie-wearing billionaire who’s creating apps and disrupting industries, you’ll be dismissed (especially by young people) as unimportant.

To Rebuild American Communities, Help Them Help Themselves

How can we help struggling communities to help themselves? We can draw valuable lessons from a surprising place: the field of international development.

KDC Ag Adds Two More To Its World Class Advisory Board To Help Solve The Fresh Food Waste Problem

To Create More Jobs, Think Small(er)

If we fail to come up with good answers for America’s workforce, the American Dream and all that flows from it will not survive.