InvestorSequoia Capital is a venture capital firm based in Silicon Valley, established in 1972. It invests in technology companies at various stages, focusing on long-term partnerships with founders.
Union Square Ventures
Union Square Ventures (USV) is a New York City-based venture capital firm that invests in early-stage opportunities across various sectors, focusing on transformative technologies and societal impacts.
Online destinations
Find Union Square Ventures online
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Official links
Pages the organization runs itself.
Overview
Union Square Ventures (USV) is a venture capital firm based in New York City, founded in 2004. Operating as a small, collegial partnership, USV invests across various sectors and technologies, focusing on transformative opportunities at the edge of large markets influenced by technological and societal pressures. The firm primarily invests in Seed and Series A rounds, targeting sectors such as social media, marketplaces, developer tools, learning, health, fintech, web3, decentralized systems, and climate technology. USV manages three main funds: the Core Fund for internet-enabled businesses, the Climate Fund for startups addressing climate change, and the Opportunity Fund for later-stage investments and special situations.
Focus
USV invests in early-stage opportunities, primarily in Seed and Series A rounds. The firm targets a diverse range of sectors including social media, marketplaces, developer tools, learning, health, fintech, web3, decentralized systems, and climate technology. USV manages three main funds: the Core Fund for internet-enabled businesses, the Climate Fund for startups addressing climate change, and the Opportunity Fund for later-stage investments.
Support
USV adds value to its portfolio companies through strategic guidance, industry insights, and access to a broad network of resources and expertise, helping them navigate the challenges of early-stage growth.
Questions
What are Union Square Ventures' investment criteria?
USV invests in early-stage companies, primarily in Seed and Series A rounds, across a wide range of sectors including AI, climate technology, fintech, and marketplaces. The firm looks for transformative opportunities that leverage technology to address significant societal challenges.
How can startups apply or pitch to USV?
Startups can pitch to USV through their website, where they provide a guide on how to meet with the firm. A clear description of operations and current progress is required in the pitch.
What makes Union Square Ventures different from other VC firms?
USV is known for its collaborative investment approach, where all partners engage in decision-making. The firm maintains small fund sizes to ensure concentrated partner attention, which fosters a supportive environment for founders.
What is the geographic scope of USV's investments?
Union Square Ventures primarily focuses on investments within North America, with a strong emphasis on US-based startups.
What is USV's post-investment involvement like?
USV takes an active role in the development of its portfolio companies, often leading or co-leading investments. The firm emphasizes collaboration and support, leveraging its partners' expertise to help startups grow.
What are the typical fund sizes and check sizes at USV?
USV typically maintains fund sizes around $275 million, with check sizes ranging from $1 million to $20 million, depending on the stage and potential of the investment.
Check your startup’s fit
Check your startup’s fit with Union Square VenturesFrom public sources
What the sources say about Union Square Ventures
Fred Wilson's original announcement dates the founding of Union Square Ventures with Brad Burnham to October 2003.
Source: Union Square Ventures official profile evidenceUSV's homepage invites people to share business ideas by email through its Contact Us section.
Source: Union Square Ventures metadataUSV describes supporting entrepreneurs throughout the company-building journey, beginning at the earliest stages.
Source: Union Square Ventures metadataPitchBook's public Union Square Ventures preview lists Efficient Computer with deal date 2026-09-29.
Source: Union Square Ventures investment portfolio | PitchBookPitchBook's public Union Square Ventures preview lists Tasklet with deal date 2026-10-07.
Source: Union Square Ventures investment portfolio | PitchBookPitchBook's public Union Square Ventures preview lists Nous Research with deal date 2026-10-07.
Source: Union Square Ventures investment portfolio | PitchBook
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Organizations that do similar work to Union Square Ventures.
Investor
InvestorFounders Fund is a venture capital firm based in the United States, founded in 2005. It invests in technology companies across various sectors and stages.
InvestorDFJ is a venture capital firm based in Silicon Valley, California, founded in 1985. It focuses on investing in early-stage technology companies with significant growth potential.
InvestorVento is an early-stage venture capital firm focused on investing in Italian founders globally. Founded in 2022, it operates a venture building program and organizes the annual Italian Tech Week in Turin.
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