TLDR:
Human Ventures, co-founded by Heather Hartnett and Joe Marchese, is close to raising $50 million for its second fund. The firm focuses on emerging categories and has gained the interest of institutional LPs like Churchill Asset Management. Human Ventures started as a venture studio and now supports over 60 portfolio companies, with a strong emphasis on collaboration and care for founders.
Article Summary:
Human Ventures, a New York-based firm co-founded by Heather Hartnett and Joe Marchese, is on the brink of raising $50 million for its second fund. As an emerging manager, this milestone is significant as it demonstrates trust and interest from institutional LPs, including the recent addition of Churchill Asset Management as an anchor investor. The decision to invest in Human Ventures was influenced by the firm’s collaborative and respected reputation among its peers.
Hartnett and Marchese have a unique approach to investing, focusing on categories they believe to be emerging within the human needs and attention economies. The firm, which began as a venture studio, now supports over 60 companies, three of which have reached unicorn status. Human Ventures places a strong emphasis on supporting founders not just as entrepreneurs, but as individuals, with a commitment to their well-being.
Despite the challenges of raising a second fund in a competitive market, Human Ventures’ deliberate and strategic approach sets them apart. The firm’s network and community engagement, highlighted by events like an invitation to psychotherapist Esther Perel’s show in New York, demonstrate a commitment to creating a unique and supportive environment for their founders and investors.
