Firm celebrates 15 years investing in early stage founders

NEW YORK: Lerer Hippeau, a leading early stage venture capital firm founded and operated in New York City, announced today that it has closed $200M in new capital for its ninth early stage fund, which the team will invest in pre-seed- and seed-stage companies. This oversubscribed fund represents an increase from LH Fund VIII’s $140M, and a continued commitment to supporting the next generation of founders while maintaining focus in approach. This fund also includes several dozen LH founders as limited partners – demonstrating the strength of the firm’s community and network.

With this raise, Lerer Hippeau is celebrating 15 years supporting early stage founders by serving as their first and most aligned institutional partner. Since 2010, the firm has helped to lead New York’s tech ecosystem, investing in over 400 companies across all sectors at the earliest stages. The team will deploy LH Fund IX with a singular focus on “finding the best founders before they’re famous” – specializing in helping founders build from zero to one, and staying in their corners for the long haul.

“It’s been fantastic to help shape the New York tech scene alongside so many exceptional founders and coinvestors over the last 15 years, and the continued enthusiasm around our market underscores what we’ve always known: that New York is an incredible place to build a business, and that all founders need a New York partner on their cap table,” said Ben Lerer, Managing Partner.

Since inception, the firm has taken a talent-driven and generalist investment approach. Though Lerer Hippeau remains well known for its success in early consumer investments, the firm has always invested across the enterprise and consumer landscapes.

“As our industry well knows, this historic moment in AI is shifting technology and constitutes a sea change for what’s possible. It’s an exciting time to partner with our founders as they build businesses with AI embedded deeply into every decision they make,” said Eric Hippeau, Managing Partner.

“Over the past 15 years, we’ve built an unmatched community of founders, in and out of New York,” said Graham Brown, Managing Partner. “Our positioning as a firm and network has never been stronger, and we’re glad to support our portfolio founders as they navigate the biggest moments and challenges facing early stage businesses.”

Lerer Hippeau’s team comprises 20 early stage specialists across investment and operational roles.

About Lerer Hippeau

Lerer Hippeau is an early-stage venture capital firm founded and operated in New York City. Since 2010, we have invested in entrepreneurs with great ideas who aren’t afraid to do hard things. Our portfolio includes more than 400 leading enterprise and consumer businesses including Guideline, Mirror, Blockdaemon, K Health, Palmetto, ZenBusiness, Zipline, Prose, and Warby Parker. We’re experienced operators who invest early and stay in our founders’ corners as they build iconic companies. Learn more at lererhippeau.com.

Fonte: Business Wire