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Blackbird Labs
Fred Wilson – Oct 6, 2022
At USV, we are looking for applications that can bring hundreds of millions of users onto web3. As great as the decentralized finance and digital art applications of web3 are, they aren’t likely to get my mom or your mom [...] Read more
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
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
Shapeways Expands Services for Creators
Albert Wenger – Apr 18, 2018
Shapeways has printed over 10 million different products. This has allowed Shapeways to hone its printing and logistical capabilities. Along the way, the team has also developed great insights into the needs of creators. We are excited that Shapeways is expanding its service offering accordingly. Read more
Kickstarter, PBC
Fred Wilson – Sep 21, 2015
I recall meeting Perry Chen for the first time in the old USV offices on the 14th floor back in 2009 shortly after Kickstarter launched. He and his partners Yancey and Charles were onto something, I was sure of that. [...] Read more
Amino
Andy Weissman – Jul 8, 2014
Communities have long been an integral part of the Internet, online places where people can connect and share their passions and interests. And communities can have great network dynamics, where they increase in value as participants join and share more. [...] Read more
A VC: Sidecar
Fred Wilson – Feb 19, 2014
Announcing the investment in Sidecar that USV made last summer Read more
Behance Joins Adobe To Scale Creative Network
Albert Wenger – Dec 20, 2012
Earlier this year we invested in New York based Behance. We had known and followed Scott and the team for several years and kept an active dialog about the network of creatives that they have been building. As it turns [...] Read more
Investment Thesis @USV
Andy Weissman – May 27, 2012
Venture firms operate a bunch of different ways. Some have a geographical focus, others have a sector focus, still others have a stage focus. Union Square Ventures' focus has evolved into what we call a "thesis" but is probably better [...] Read more