Lerer Hippeau

Lerer Hippeau is a highly prominent seed-stage venture capital firm headquartered in New York City, recognized for its deep roots in the media and technology sectors. Founded by industry veterans Ken Lerer and Eric Hippeau, the firm has established itself as a leading early-stage investor, primarily focusing on companies across both consumer and enterprise sectors. Their strategic location in one of the world's major financial and tech hubs allows them to leverage extensive networks and insights into emerging market trends. The firm's investment philosophy emphasizes identifying and supporting visionary founders at the earliest stages of their company's development, often acting as the first institutional capital.

The firm's investment strategy is characterized by its hands-on approach and a commitment to providing significant operational support to its portfolio companies. Lerer Hippeau typically writes initial checks ranging from $750,000 to $3,000,000, positioning them as a key player in seed and pre-seed rounds. Beyond the initial capital, they reserve substantial follow-on funding to support their most promising ventures through subsequent growth stages. This approach enables them to build long-term partnerships with founders, guiding them from product-market fit through scaling operations. Their portfolio spans a diverse array of industries, including e-commerce, SaaS, fintech, and digital media, reflecting their broad investment mandate.

With a robust track record, Lerer Hippeau has invested in over 300 companies, many of which have gone on to achieve significant success and become household names. Notable past investments include companies like Warby Parker, Allbirds, Casper, GroupMe, and Axios, showcasing their ability to spot disruptive potential early on. The firm continues to be highly active in the market, having recently announced their tenth fund, Lerer Hippeau X, which closed at $175 million in early 2024. This latest fund underscores their enduring commitment to the seed ecosystem and their capacity to deploy substantial capital into promising startups. Their consistent presence and strategic investments have solidified their reputation as a pivotal force in the venture capital landscape, particularly within the bustling New York tech scene.