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A Social Resurgence
Rebecca Kaden – Feb 7, 2020
We have recently gotten excited about several new emerging social networks and platforms. While the competition for prolonged attention only gets fiercer and the network effects in the dominant players remain strong, there is also fresh consumer appetite for creative [...] Read more
The Education Transformation
Rebecca Kaden – Nov 18, 2019
10 years ago, in March 2009, USV hosted an event called Hacking Education. The team pulled together a group of operators, founders, and investors to talk about how to create transformation in education. Following the event, my partner Brad wrote [...] Read more
Welcoming Outschool to USV
Rebecca Kaden – May 27, 2019
In the last 25 years, the growth and increased convenience of commercial internet has fundamentally changed how we live most aspects of our lives. It has created new ways for us to connect and transact, and it has turned massive [...] Read more
Come for an Action, Stay for the Community
Rebecca Kaden – Feb 15, 2019
The next wave of social systems will likely emphasize breadth and depth differently than the last--and may not look much like social networks at all. With the current networks, the horizontal nature of the platform is the product. Users come for the community. But it may be that with the next, the community is what keeps users long term engaged but is formed around another intent. Come for an action, stay for the community. Read more
Welcoming Dia&Co to USV
Rebecca Kaden – Nov 15, 2018
There are two core reasons that make Dia&Co particularly exciting as an addition to the USV portfolio. First, the size and current state of the market they are focused on. Second, how well positioned this team is to tackle this problem and the ability they’ve shown to create not just a transactional business but a large, fast scaling, emotionally engaged community. Read more
Our Investment in Modern Fertility
Rebecca Kaden – May 30, 2018
Modern Fertility is building a trusted consumer brand in fertility, starting with their launch today of at-home testing for women. In the comfort of their own homes, and for a fraction of what it would cost at a clinic, women can have their key fertility hormones tested through a few drops of blood. Read more
Welcoming ShopShops to USV
Rebecca Kaden – Apr 4, 2018
ShopShops is an example of our thesis around broadening access. It allows consumers to find and buy product from makers and retailers across the globe as well as connect with other users who share tastes and interests. Similarly, retailers can quickly and easily expand their reach to customers quite literally a world away. Read more
USV Thesis 3.0
Rebecca Kaden – Apr 1, 2018
We believe we are still at the beginning of the opportunity to broaden access with the most critical implications ahead of us. As a result, we decided to revise our thesis into a third version: USV backs trusted brands that broaden access to knowledge, capital, and well-being by leveraging networks, platforms, and protocols. Read more
Welcoming Stash to the USV Portfolio
Rebecca Kaden – Feb 11, 2018
Technology makes it possible to serve the mass base of financial services customers with personalized, tailored, high quality products that can improve financial well being for them and their families and result in massive businesses along the way. Which is why we’re excited to announce our investment in Stash out of our Opportunity Fund. Read more