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Union Square Ventures (USV) is a prominent venture capital firm based in New York City, founded in 2003 by Fred Wilson and Brad Burnham. The firm is recognized for its disciplined approach to fund sizing, maintaining relatively small vehicles, with a core fund size of approximately $275 million. Since its inception, USV has raised 14 funds across three distinct strategies and has backed over 130 startups. The firm’s 2004 fund is celebrated as one of the best-performing venture capital funds in history, and USV was named the best-performing VC firm in the United States in 2011. USV's assets under management (AUM) total around $1 billion, reflecting its strong market presence and investor confidence.
USV operates with a unique investment philosophy that emphasizes collaborative decision-making and a generalist approach. This allows the firm to invest across a wide range of sectors, including social media, marketplaces, fintech, climate technology, and more. The firm’s commitment to maintaining small fund sizes ensures that partners can provide concentrated attention to each portfolio company, fostering a supportive environment for entrepreneurs. USV's reputation for transparency is further enhanced by Fred Wilson's AVC blog, which shares insights and experiences from the venture capital world.
Union Square Ventures adopts a vehemently generalist investment focus, allowing it to explore a diverse array of sectors and technologies. The firm primarily invests in early-stage companies, specifically in Seed and Series A rounds, with check sizes ranging from $1 million to $20 million. USV's investment sectors include artificial intelligence, climate technology, fintech, marketplaces, social media, developer tools, education, healthcare, and consumer internet. This broad focus enables USV to identify transformative opportunities at the intersection of technology and societal change.
One of the distinguishing features of USV's investment strategy is its dedicated Climate Fund, which targets startups that contribute to climate crisis mitigation and adaptation. This commitment reflects the firm’s belief in the importance of addressing environmental challenges through innovative solutions. Additionally, USV has shown a sustained interest in web3 and crypto investments, positioning itself as a leader in the evolving landscape of decentralized technologies. The firm’s collaborative investment approach ensures that all partners are involved in every area of investment, fostering a culture of shared knowledge and expertise.
Union Square Ventures boasts an iconic portfolio that includes some of the most recognized names in the tech industry. Notable investments include Twitter, Etsy, Coinbase, Stripe, and MongoDB, all of which have achieved significant exits through IPOs or acquisitions. USV's early-stage track record is particularly impressive, with investments in companies like Tumblr, Zynga, Stack Overflow, Kickstarter, Meetup, Carta, and Flurry. The firm is known for its ability to identify and support transformative startups that have the potential to reshape their respective markets.
USV's 2019 fund achieved a remarkable 57.1% internal rate of return (IRR), further solidifying its reputation as one of the best-performing VC firms in U.S. history. The firm’s disciplined approach to fund management and its focus on concentrated partner attention have contributed to its success in nurturing high-growth companies. With a portfolio that spans various sectors, USV continues to be a key player in the venture capital landscape, driving innovation and supporting entrepreneurs across North America.
Fred Wilson - Co-founder & Managing Partner. A veteran in venture capital since 1987, Fred has a background in engineering from MIT and an MBA from Wharton. He is also a prolific blogger at AVC.
Brad Burnham - Co-founder & Partner. Brad has extensive experience in venture capital and technology investments.
Albert Wenger - Partner. Albert focuses on early-stage investments and has a strong interest in technology-driven companies.
Rebecca Kaden - Partner. Rebecca brings expertise in consumer internet and marketplace investments.
John Buttrick - Partner. John specializes in supporting startups in their growth phases.
Andy Weissman - Partner. Andy has a background in technology and venture capital, focusing on innovative startups.
To pitch Union Square Ventures, founders should visit their pitch guide at this link. The firm prefers warm introductions but also accepts cold applications. A successful pitch should clearly outline the business model, market opportunity, and team dynamics.
In recent activity, Union Square Ventures has announced its 2024 fund targeting $275 million. The firm has made significant investments in companies such as Doctronic in August 2025, along with other startups like Supper and Tutor Intelligence. USV continues to focus on climate technology investments, demonstrating its commitment to addressing environmental challenges through innovative solutions.
Union Square Ventures primarily invests in early-stage companies, focusing on Seed and Series A rounds. This allows them to support startups at critical points in their development, providing the necessary capital and guidance to help them grow.
Founders can pitch Union Square Ventures by visiting their pitch guide at this link. The firm prefers a collaborative approach, so warm introductions are encouraged, but they also accept cold applications through their website.
USV has a broad investment focus that includes sectors such as artificial intelligence, climate technology, fintech, marketplaces, social media, developer tools, education, healthcare, and consumer internet. This generalist approach allows them to invest in transformative opportunities across various industries.
The typical check size for Union Square Ventures ranges from $1 million to $20 million. This flexibility allows them to support startups at different stages of their growth and development.
Union Square Ventures primarily invests in North America, with a strong focus on startups based in the United States. Their New York City headquarters positions them well to engage with the vibrant startup ecosystem in the region.
The application process for Union Square Ventures involves submitting a pitch through their website. Founders are encouraged to provide detailed information about their business model, market opportunity, and team. A warm introduction can enhance the chances of getting noticed.
Union Square Ventures offers extensive support to its portfolio companies, leveraging its partners' expertise and network. The firm fosters a collaborative environment where all partners engage with portfolio companies, providing guidance and resources to help them succeed.
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