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Union Square Ventures (USV) is a 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, focusing on early-stage investments in transformative sectors.
USV's 2004 fund is considered one of the best-performing venture capital funds in history, contributing to the firm's reputation as one of the best-performing VC firms in the United States, particularly noted in 2011. The firm has backed over 130 startups, demonstrating a strong commitment to early-stage innovation. USV operates from its office located at 817 Broadway, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10003, and manages approximately $1 billion in assets across its funds.
Notable milestones include the successful exits of portfolio companies such as Twitter, Etsy, Coinbase, and Stripe, showcasing USV's ability to identify and support high-potential startups. The firm emphasizes a collaborative investment approach, ensuring that all partners engage in decision-making, which fosters a non-hierarchical culture.
Union Square Ventures invests primarily in early-stage opportunities, specifically targeting Seed and Series A rounds. The firm operates across a diverse range of sectors, including AI, climate technology, fintech, marketplaces, social media, developer tools, education, healthcare, and consumer internet. USV's investment strategy is characterized as 'vehemently generalist,' meaning that all partners are encouraged to invest across all sectors without silos, promoting collaborative decision-making.
The firm maintains a check size range of $1 million to $20 million, typically starting at $1 million for Seed investments and averaging $2.5 to $3 million for Series A rounds. USV has established three main fund strategies: the Core Fund, which targets internet-enabled businesses; the Climate Fund, dedicated to startups addressing climate change; and the Opportunity Fund, which focuses on later-stage investments and special situations. This structure allows USV to align its investments with its commitment to addressing significant societal challenges through technology.
Union Square Ventures boasts an iconic portfolio of companies that have made significant impacts across various sectors. Notable exits include:
In addition to these exits, USV continues to invest in promising startups such as:
Fred Wilson - Co-founder & Managing Partner. Fred has been a venture capitalist since 1987 and is a graduate of MIT and Wharton. He is a prolific blogger at AVC, sharing insights on venture capital and technology.
Brad Burnham - Co-founder & Partner. Brad has extensive experience in venture capital and has been instrumental in USV's growth since its founding.
Albert Wenger - Partner. Albert focuses on investments in technology and has a background in computer science and economics.
Rebecca Kaden - Partner. Rebecca specializes in consumer internet and has a strong track record in identifying high-potential startups.
John Buttrick - Partner. John brings expertise in various sectors and plays a key role in USV's investment decisions.
Andy Weissman - Partner. Andy has a background in law and venture capital, contributing to USV's collaborative investment approach.
Jared Hecht - Venture Partner. Jared has experience in building startups and provides valuable insights to portfolio companies.
Jess Oynick - Head of Talent. Jess focuses on talent acquisition and development within USV's portfolio.
Matt Cynamon - Library Sciences. Matt supports USV's research and knowledge management efforts.
Nick Grossman - Partner. Nick specializes in internet-enabled businesses and has a strong background in technology.
Samson Mesele - Partner and General Counsel. Samson oversees legal matters and compliance for USV.
To pitch Union Square Ventures, startups should visit their website for detailed guidelines on how to prepare for a meeting. The firm prefers pitches that include a clear description of the startup's operations, current progress, and market potential. Founders should be ready to discuss their vision, team, and how their product addresses a significant market need.
USV values transparency and collaboration, so a warm introduction is beneficial but not strictly necessary. Response times can vary, but founders should expect to hear back within a few weeks after submitting their pitch.
On August 1, 2025, Union Square Ventures made a Series A investment in Doctronic, an AI-driven healthcare solution. This investment aligns with USV's focus on transformative technologies in healthcare.
In addition to Doctronic, USV has also invested in Supper and Tutor Intelligence, further expanding its portfolio in innovative sectors. The firm continues to actively seek opportunities in climate technology and web3, demonstrating its commitment to addressing pressing societal challenges.
USV's 2024 fund is targeting $275 million, reflecting its disciplined approach to fund sizing and investment strategy.
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.
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