HubSpot announces $30 million venture fund, HubSpot Ventures
Marketing tech provider HubSpot has long been focused on the customer experience. Its mission is to help marketers reach customers and prospects without being interruptive. Now HubSpot aims to help customer-centric startups and early-stage companies reach their full potential with the launch today (11 December) of its $30 million venture fund, HubSpot Ventures.
HubSpot launches venture fund
The fund will invest in companies that show they are dedicated to building long-term customer relationships rather than optimizing for short-term goals such as hitting quarterly numbers. Prospective portfolio companies must meet several criteria, including:
- Align with HubSpot’s mission of helping organizations “grow better”
- Deliver unique value to the HubSpot community
- Build what is destined to be a leading SaaS-based product
- Exemplify the values expressed in HubSpot’s Customer Code and Culture Code
- Raise a Seed, Series A, or Series B round funding with a notable lead investor
“Through HubSpot Ventures, we will seek out companies that prioritize the customer experience, have an inclusive company culture, and deliver a highly differentiated product,” HubSpot cofounder and chief technology officer Dharmesh Shah said in an announcement. “After the initial investment, HubSpot will act as a mentor to the chosen portfolio companies.” The company is taking this approach based on its own experiences as a startup.
“Back when HubSpot was starting out, the most valuable investors provided more than just financial capital and HubSpot Ventures will do the same,” Shah said.
According to Shah, the company isn’t looking for quick wins through its investments. Rather, HubSpot is looking to invest in businesses that are “committed to our philosophy of growing better,”and that will deliver a return on investment over time.