# The 98

> The 98 is a New York early-stage venture firm founded by longtime media, data and technology operators Lynda Clarizio and Joy Marcus. It invests in technology businesses led by women and pairs capital with a broad operating-adviser network, focusing on businesses in commerce, media, health and wellness, finance and law where its partners have direct experience.

- **Founded:** 2022
- **Headquarters:** New York, United States
- **Founders:** Lynda Clarizio (Co-Founder and General Partner), Joy Marcus (Co-Founder and General Partner)
- **Team size:** LinkedIn lists a 2-10 employee company-size band; 26 people are associated with the page, many of whom are operating advisers rather than core staff. A 2026 impact-venture directory lists four employees.
- **Products:** Early-stage venture investment, Operating support, Network access
- **Notable:** Launched in the third quarter of 2022 after the co-founders first invested together through Brilliant Friends., Built a public portfolio spanning Oply, Break Sports, Humanitru, AskPolly, Strella, Cambri, Private AI/Limina, Stratyfy, Paladin and The Vendry., Reported approximately $3.8 million deployed across eight women-led technology businesses in a 2026 impact-venture directory.

## Products & services

- **Early-stage venture investment** — Seed and early-stage capital for technology businesses led by women, with emphasis on commerce, media, health and wellness, finance and law.
- **Operating support** — Hands-on guidance from the general partners and a network of operating advisers across product, marketing, data, media, talent, finance and governance.
- **Network access** — Introductions and sector support drawn from the founders' operating, board and investment networks.

## Achievements

- Launched in the third quarter of 2022 after the co-founders first invested together through Brilliant Friends.
- Built a public portfolio spanning Oply, Break Sports, Humanitru, AskPolly, Strella, Cambri, Private AI/Limina, Stratyfy, Paladin and The Vendry.
- Reported approximately $3.8 million deployed across eight women-led technology businesses in a 2026 impact-venture directory.
- Portfolio company Stratyfy raised $10 million in 2023 in a financing that included The 98.
- Portfolio company Cambri raised €8 million in October 2024 with The 98 participating as an existing investor.
- Portfolio company Humanitru raised $3 million in February 2025 with participation from The 98.
- Portfolio company Paladin acquired Pro Bono Manager and formed a strategic partnership with Pro Bono Net in 2024.

## Latest updates

- **2026-07** — The firm highlighted Limina, formerly Private AI, after it was ranked first in an AI privacy tools list shared by AI Magazine.
- **2026-07** — The 98 highlighted Oply founder Lindsey Chrismon's recognition by Inc. among women leading emerging AI companies.
- **2026-04** — Portfolio company Private AI rebranded as Limina, retaining its focus on privacy-preserving use of sensitive data.
- **2025-08** — The 98 published investment notes on Oply and Break Sports.
- **2025-03** — The firm announced its investment in nonprofit CRM and engagement platform Humanitru.

## Links

- Website: https://www.the98.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the98

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/the-98
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-08-17