Ryan Hoover

Ryan Hoover, widely recognized as the founder of Product Hunt, has successfully transitioned from a celebrated entrepreneur to a prominent figure in early-stage venture capital. Following Product Hunt's acquisition by AngelList in 2016, Hoover leveraged his profound understanding of product development, community building, and user engagement to become an active angel investor before co-founding Weekend Fund. His entrepreneurial journey provides him with a unique lens through which to evaluate and support nascent companies, making him a highly sought-after partner for founders.

As a General Partner at Weekend Fund, Hoover primarily focuses on pre-seed and seed-stage investments. The fund's investment thesis centers on companies building innovative consumer products, developer tools, and SaaS platforms, often with a strong emphasis on design, user experience, and a clear path to product-market fit. Hoover and Weekend Fund are particularly drawn to founders who exhibit a deep passion for their product, a lean approach to growth, and the ability to cultivate strong user communities—qualities that mirror Product Hunt's own success story.

Weekend Fund, under Hoover's guidance, has built a robust portfolio, having made over 150 investments in promising startups since its inception. The fund typically writes initial checks ranging from $100,000 to $500,000, participating in rounds that often total between $500,000 and $3 million. Beyond capital, Hoover offers invaluable strategic guidance, leveraging his extensive network and providing hands-on insights into product strategy, growth hacks, and community development. His direct experience in scaling a beloved product from scratch positions him as an empathetic and effective advisor, helping entrepreneurs navigate the critical early stages of their ventures.