Lerer Hippeau Ventures

Lerer Hippeau Ventures is a prominent early-stage venture capital firm based in New York City. Founded in 2010 by media and technology veterans Ken Lerer, Eric Hippeau, and Ben Lerer, the firm is recognized for its concentrated focus on seed and Series A investments, primarily within the New York City startup ecosystem. It has established itself as a foundational investor in numerous high-profile technology companies across sectors like consumer internet, SaaS, and marketplaces.

History

The firm was launched in 2010, building upon the legacy of its founders' prior collaborative investments and entrepreneurial successes. Ken Lerer was a co-founder of The Huffington Post and an early investor in BuzzFeed, while Eric Hippeau served as the CEO of The Huffington Post and had a long tenure as a partner at SoftBank Capital. Their combined experience in digital media and technology investing during the rise of the New York City tech scene provided a strategic foundation. The firm's creation coincided with a significant expansion of the venture capital landscape in Manhattan and Brooklyn, positioning it to capitalize on the growing pipeline of innovative startups emerging from the region.

Investment focus

Lerer Hippeau Ventures primarily invests at the seed and Series A stages, often serving as a company's first institutional capital. The firm's investment thesis centers on backing exceptional founders across a diverse range of sectors, with particular historical strength in consumer technology, B2B software, and fintech. While initially deeply associated with the digital media wave, its focus has evolved to include enterprise software, climate tech, healthtech, and web3 infrastructure. Geographically, it maintains a strong anchor in the Northeast and particularly New York City, but its portfolio companies are located across major hubs like San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Austin.

Notable investments

The firm's portfolio includes a wide array of companies that have achieved significant scale, undergone IPOs, or been acquired. Early landmark investments included BuzzFeed, Warby Parker, and Casper, which became emblematic of the direct-to-consumer movement. Other notable portfolio companies span various industries, such as the guest experience platform Allset, the financial technology company Chainalysis, the cloud computing platform DigitalOcean, and the e-commerce platform Glossier. The firm has also backed successful exits like the acquisition of HotelTonight by Airbnb and the public listing of Olo on the New York Stock Exchange.

Leadership and team

The firm's founding partners, Ken Lerer, Eric Hippeau, and Ben Lerer, provide leadership rooted in operational and investment experience. Ken Lerer is also a co-founder of The Huffington Post and chairman of BuzzFeed, while Eric Hippeau previously led Ziff Davis and serves on the board of directors for companies like BuzzFeed and MongoDB. Ben Lerer is the co-founder of the media company Group Nine Media. The partnership is supported by a team of investors and principals, including operating partner Caitlin Strandberg, who contribute expertise in sourcing deals and supporting portfolio companies. The team's collective background spans journalism, product management, and startup operations.

Impact and recognition

Lerer Hippeau Ventures is widely regarded as one of the most influential and active early-stage funds in the New York City technology ecosystem. Its early bets on companies like Warby Parker and BuzzFeed helped define entire categories and demonstrated the viability of building large, venture-scale companies outside of Silicon Valley. The firm and its partners are frequently featured in publications like Forbes, TechCrunch, and The Wall Street Journal for their market insights. Its consistent activity and portfolio performance have cemented its reputation as a bellwether for emerging trends in the startup economy.

Category:Venture capital firms in the United States Category:Companies based in Manhattan Category:Financial services companies established in 2010 Category:2010 establishments in New York (state)