# Human Ventures

> Human Ventures is a New York early-stage venture firm and startup studio that invests in founders working on health, work, money, media, attention and human connection. Founded in 2015 by Heather Hartnett and Joe Marchese, it combines pre-seed and seed capital with company-building support, a founder network and the no-equity Humans in the Wild incubation program. Its portfolio includes Current, Evvy, Tia, Tiny Organics, Capsule and acquired companies including theSkimm and Reserve.

- **Founded:** 2015
- **Headquarters:** New York, United States
- **Founders:** Heather Hartnett (Co-founder, CEO and General Partner), Joe Marchese (Co-founder, Executive Chairman and Build Partner)
- **Team size:** Approximately 19 employees in the supplied company record; public company databases place the firm in the 11-50 employee range.
- **Products:** Early-stage venture investing, Startup studio and company building, Humans in the Wild, Founder community and network
- **Notable:** Built a portfolio of more than 60 companies by 2024, according to Fortune and the firm's public portfolio., Reported three unicorns in the portfolio by 2024., Backed or helped build companies including Current, Tia, Evvy, Tiny Organics, Capsule, Paloma Health and Groundswell.

## Products & services

- **Early-stage venture investing** — Pre-seed and seed investment in companies spanning health and wellness, future of work and money, experience and connection, and media and attention.
- **Startup studio and company building** — Hands-on support for validating markets, shaping products, recruiting teams, setting operating foundations and preparing companies for institutional fundraising.
- **Humans in the Wild** — A 100-day, no-equity incubation program offering founder cohorts weekly one-to-one guidance, programming, expert access and community; investment by Human Ventures may follow but is not required.
- **Founder community and network** — Peer support, introductions to operators, investors and corporate partners, and continuing access across portfolio and alumni cohorts.

## Achievements

- Built a portfolio of more than 60 companies by 2024, according to Fortune and the firm's public portfolio.
- Reported three unicorns in the portfolio by 2024.
- Backed or helped build companies including Current, Tia, Evvy, Tiny Organics, Capsule, Paloma Health and Groundswell.
- Recorded portfolio exits including Reserve, Clark, Girlboss, The Muse, Toucan and theSkimm.
- Reached approximately $50 million for a second fund in a difficult emerging-manager fundraising market.
- Developed Humans in the Wild into a 100-day incubation program that does not require founders to surrender equity.
- Built a portfolio in which about half of backed founders were women as of 2024 reporting.

## Latest updates

- **2026-01** — Portfolio company TBD Health was acquired by sexual-health company Wisp; Human Ventures now lists TBD Health as acquired.
- **2025-03** — Ziff Davis' Everyday Health Group acquired portfolio company theSkimm, extending a portfolio exit into consumer health media.
- **2024-04** — Fortune reported that Human Ventures' second fund had approached $50 million, with Churchill Asset Management as an anchor LP and Bank of America as an investor.
- **2024-04** — Fortune reported more than 60 portfolio companies, three unicorns and women comprising about half of Human-backed founders.

## Links

- Website: https://human.vc
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/human-ventures-capital
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/human_ventures
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/human.vc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HVCapital

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/human-ventures
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-08-16