Ulu Ventures

Ulu Ventures, established in 2008, is a Palo Alto-based venture capital firm specializing in seed-stage and early-stage investments. The firm primarily focuses on technology-enabled services, educational technology, and legal informatics within the internet industry, targeting internet-enabled consumer and business services. Ulu Ventures also considers investments in digital media, mobile, IoT, EdTech, FinTech, and other emerging tech sectors. The firm typically invests in the San Francisco Bay Area, co-investing with others to cumulatively invest between $500,000 and $1 million. Ulu Ventures aims to invest where there is a viable exit strategy, with a track record of over 30 investments in the last three years.

Andrea Bogarin

Senior Associate

Kevin Hoffberg

Venture Partner

Clint Korver

Co-Founder and Managing Director

Stephen Malinak

Venture Partner

Steve Reale

Venture Partner

Miriam Rivera

Co-Founder, CEO and Managing Director

Nancy Torres

Partner

David White

Venture Partner

Past deals in Lending

Novel Capital

Seed Round in 2024
Novel Capital, founded in 2018 and based in Mission, Kansas, is a fintech company that offers innovative funding solutions tailored for early-stage B2B software companies. By leveraging a tech-first approach, Novel Capital enables its customers to access non-dilutive capital based on future recurring revenue, effectively breaking down traditional growth barriers. The platform also provides online data-driven insights and curated learning resources, empowering entrepreneurs to capitalize on their momentum and scale their businesses without relinquishing equity. Through its flexible revenue-based financing and operational sales expertise, Novel Capital aims to foster a thriving startup ecosystem and support the growth of emerging businesses.

Wisetack

Venture Round in 2024
Wisetack, Inc. is a technology company based in San Francisco, California, that specializes in real-time consumer lending at the point of sale. Founded in 2018, Wisetack offers a platform that allows in-person businesses to provide financing options to customers, enhancing sales opportunities. The platform integrates seamlessly into existing software systems through a suite of APIs, enabling businesses to embed financing solutions directly into their operations. Wisetack facilitates a straightforward sign-up process and checks consumer eligibility before offering installment payment options, thereby simplifying the payment experience for both businesses and their customers.

Novel Capital

Venture Round in 2024
Novel Capital, founded in 2018 and based in Mission, Kansas, is a fintech company that offers innovative funding solutions tailored for early-stage B2B software companies. By leveraging a tech-first approach, Novel Capital enables its customers to access non-dilutive capital based on future recurring revenue, effectively breaking down traditional growth barriers. The platform also provides online data-driven insights and curated learning resources, empowering entrepreneurs to capitalize on their momentum and scale their businesses without relinquishing equity. Through its flexible revenue-based financing and operational sales expertise, Novel Capital aims to foster a thriving startup ecosystem and support the growth of emerging businesses.

Pontoro

Seed Round in 2023
Pontoro Inc. is a financial technology company established in late 2018, focused on enhancing investor participation in private market assets. The company is developing a patented technology solution that aims to create an innovative private investment platform, offering improved liquidity not typically available in traditional private investments. Pontoro's primary objective is to tackle the significant $15 trillion shortfall in infrastructure debt financing. By utilizing a blockchain-based platform, the company facilitates the flow of infrastructure loans from large bank originators to institutional investors, thereby providing greater access to asset liquidity and price transparency for these private market opportunities.

Snowball Wealth

Pre Seed Round in 2022
Snowball Wealth, Inc. is a financial management platform based in San Mateo, California, that provides tailored guidance for managing student loans and other financial challenges. Established in 2018, the company focuses on helping individuals navigate debt, retirement, and investments through personalized analysis and recommendations. Its mobile app features a community-driven approach that encourages open discussions about debt and financial planning while also offering AI-driven tools to create customized plans for users. By addressing the complexities of student debt and providing insights on refinancing options, Snowball Wealth aims to empower individuals to effectively manage their finances, build generational wealth, and achieve their financial goals.

Novel Capital

Seed Round in 2022
Novel Capital, founded in 2018 and based in Mission, Kansas, is a fintech company that offers innovative funding solutions tailored for early-stage B2B software companies. By leveraging a tech-first approach, Novel Capital enables its customers to access non-dilutive capital based on future recurring revenue, effectively breaking down traditional growth barriers. The platform also provides online data-driven insights and curated learning resources, empowering entrepreneurs to capitalize on their momentum and scale their businesses without relinquishing equity. Through its flexible revenue-based financing and operational sales expertise, Novel Capital aims to foster a thriving startup ecosystem and support the growth of emerging businesses.

Pontoro

Seed Round in 2021
Pontoro Inc. is a financial technology company established in late 2018, focused on enhancing investor participation in private market assets. The company is developing a patented technology solution that aims to create an innovative private investment platform, offering improved liquidity not typically available in traditional private investments. Pontoro's primary objective is to tackle the significant $15 trillion shortfall in infrastructure debt financing. By utilizing a blockchain-based platform, the company facilitates the flow of infrastructure loans from large bank originators to institutional investors, thereby providing greater access to asset liquidity and price transparency for these private market opportunities.

Landed

Series B in 2021
Landed, Inc. is a financial services company based in San Francisco that assists essential professionals, particularly in education and healthcare, in purchasing homes and achieving financial stability within their communities. Founded in 2015, Landed provides debt-free financing options, allowing homebuyers to receive funds in exchange for a share of their home's value upon refinancing or selling. The company collaborates with schools, employers, and affinity networks to establish and manage down payment support funds, facilitating access to homeownership for teachers, school staff, and other professionals. Additionally, Landed offers personalized support through a dedicated team, including partner agents and homebuying experts, to help clients navigate their home-buying options and provide education on the process.

Figure

Series D in 2021
Figure Technologies, Inc. is a financial technology company based in San Francisco, California, established in 2018. It specializes in consumer financial solutions that include home equity lines of credit, home improvement loans, home buy-lease back offerings, mortgage refinancing, and student loan refinancing. Using its proprietary blockchain platform, Provenance, Figure aims to streamline the borrowing process, allowing customers to access capital in as few as five days. The company's services are designed to assist individuals with home improvement, debt consolidation, and retirement planning, leveraging advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and analytics to enhance operational efficiency and customer experience.

Plentina

Seed Round in 2021
Plentina is a financial technology company that focuses on providing alternative credit solutions in emerging markets. Founded in 2019, the company utilizes machine learning algorithms to create an alternative credit score that enables users to access store credit financing for essential purchases, such as food and medicine. By offering microloans and financial services tailored to the needs of underserved populations, Plentina aims to enhance financial inclusion and empower individuals to obtain necessary goods and services.

RealBlocks

Series A in 2020
RealBlocks is a financial technology platform designed to facilitate the distribution of alternative investment funds through financial advisors and institutions. The platform provides essential tools for investment managers to create and manage custom alternative funds globally. Key features include built-in secondary trading, a modular white-label onboarding experience, and an API dashboard that streamlines operations. By focusing on cost reduction, improved efficiency, and enhanced investor experience, RealBlocks enables managers to raise capital across international markets. It connects managers with institutional and intermediary channels, broadening access to investor capital while integrating various service providers. Additionally, the platform supports the transition to tokenized product structures, which enhances liquidity and enables fractional ownership.

Cerebro Capital

Seed Round in 2020
Cerebro Capital, Inc. is a company that has developed a web-based portal aimed at middle-market firms seeking to optimize their access to credit facilities for various purposes, including operations, growth, and acquisitions. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, the platform aggregates data from over 80 lenders and employs analytics to effectively match financing needs with suitable lenders. It provides a user-friendly interface for interpreting financial data, ensuring that corporate financial teams can efficiently analyze and manage their borrowing options. By focusing on enhancing transparency in the lending process, Cerebro Capital facilitates connections between borrowers and commercial lenders, ultimately streamlining the sourcing of capital and improving the overall efficiency of corporate credit management.

Snowball Wealth

Seed Round in 2019
Snowball Wealth, Inc. is a financial management platform based in San Mateo, California, that provides tailored guidance for managing student loans and other financial challenges. Established in 2018, the company focuses on helping individuals navigate debt, retirement, and investments through personalized analysis and recommendations. Its mobile app features a community-driven approach that encourages open discussions about debt and financial planning while also offering AI-driven tools to create customized plans for users. By addressing the complexities of student debt and providing insights on refinancing options, Snowball Wealth aims to empower individuals to effectively manage their finances, build generational wealth, and achieve their financial goals.

Wisetack

Series A in 2019
Wisetack, Inc. is a technology company based in San Francisco, California, that specializes in real-time consumer lending at the point of sale. Founded in 2018, Wisetack offers a platform that allows in-person businesses to provide financing options to customers, enhancing sales opportunities. The platform integrates seamlessly into existing software systems through a suite of APIs, enabling businesses to embed financing solutions directly into their operations. Wisetack facilitates a straightforward sign-up process and checks consumer eligibility before offering installment payment options, thereby simplifying the payment experience for both businesses and their customers.

Landed

Series A in 2019
Landed, Inc. is a financial services company based in San Francisco that assists essential professionals, particularly in education and healthcare, in purchasing homes and achieving financial stability within their communities. Founded in 2015, Landed provides debt-free financing options, allowing homebuyers to receive funds in exchange for a share of their home's value upon refinancing or selling. The company collaborates with schools, employers, and affinity networks to establish and manage down payment support funds, facilitating access to homeownership for teachers, school staff, and other professionals. Additionally, Landed offers personalized support through a dedicated team, including partner agents and homebuying experts, to help clients navigate their home-buying options and provide education on the process.

Figure

Series B in 2019
Figure Technologies, Inc. is a financial technology company based in San Francisco, California, established in 2018. It specializes in consumer financial solutions that include home equity lines of credit, home improvement loans, home buy-lease back offerings, mortgage refinancing, and student loan refinancing. Using its proprietary blockchain platform, Provenance, Figure aims to streamline the borrowing process, allowing customers to access capital in as few as five days. The company's services are designed to assist individuals with home improvement, debt consolidation, and retirement planning, leveraging advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and analytics to enhance operational efficiency and customer experience.

Wisetack

Seed Round in 2019
Wisetack, Inc. is a technology company based in San Francisco, California, that specializes in real-time consumer lending at the point of sale. Founded in 2018, Wisetack offers a platform that allows in-person businesses to provide financing options to customers, enhancing sales opportunities. The platform integrates seamlessly into existing software systems through a suite of APIs, enabling businesses to embed financing solutions directly into their operations. Wisetack facilitates a straightforward sign-up process and checks consumer eligibility before offering installment payment options, thereby simplifying the payment experience for both businesses and their customers.

RealBlocks

Seed Round in 2019
RealBlocks is a financial technology platform designed to facilitate the distribution of alternative investment funds through financial advisors and institutions. The platform provides essential tools for investment managers to create and manage custom alternative funds globally. Key features include built-in secondary trading, a modular white-label onboarding experience, and an API dashboard that streamlines operations. By focusing on cost reduction, improved efficiency, and enhanced investor experience, RealBlocks enables managers to raise capital across international markets. It connects managers with institutional and intermediary channels, broadening access to investor capital while integrating various service providers. Additionally, the platform supports the transition to tokenized product structures, which enhances liquidity and enables fractional ownership.

Landed

Seed Round in 2018
Landed, Inc. is a financial services company based in San Francisco that assists essential professionals, particularly in education and healthcare, in purchasing homes and achieving financial stability within their communities. Founded in 2015, Landed provides debt-free financing options, allowing homebuyers to receive funds in exchange for a share of their home's value upon refinancing or selling. The company collaborates with schools, employers, and affinity networks to establish and manage down payment support funds, facilitating access to homeownership for teachers, school staff, and other professionals. Additionally, Landed offers personalized support through a dedicated team, including partner agents and homebuying experts, to help clients navigate their home-buying options and provide education on the process.

Figure

Series A in 2018
Figure Technologies, Inc. is a financial technology company based in San Francisco, California, established in 2018. It specializes in consumer financial solutions that include home equity lines of credit, home improvement loans, home buy-lease back offerings, mortgage refinancing, and student loan refinancing. Using its proprietary blockchain platform, Provenance, Figure aims to streamline the borrowing process, allowing customers to access capital in as few as five days. The company's services are designed to assist individuals with home improvement, debt consolidation, and retirement planning, leveraging advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and analytics to enhance operational efficiency and customer experience.

EarnUp

Series A in 2017
EarnUp Inc. is a fintech company based in San Francisco, California, that focuses on automating loan payments for consumers. Established in 2013, EarnUp's platform is designed to assist over 200 million Americans managing various types of debt, including home mortgages, student loans, auto loans, and personal loans. The platform allows users to set aside small amounts of money when they can afford it, which are then allocated for loan payments, helping users pay off their debts more efficiently. By syncing micro-payments with individual income and automating savings in real-time, EarnUp aims to alleviate the stress of financial management and empower users to take control of their financial situations.

Landed

Seed Round in 2017
Landed, Inc. is a financial services company based in San Francisco that assists essential professionals, particularly in education and healthcare, in purchasing homes and achieving financial stability within their communities. Founded in 2015, Landed provides debt-free financing options, allowing homebuyers to receive funds in exchange for a share of their home's value upon refinancing or selling. The company collaborates with schools, employers, and affinity networks to establish and manage down payment support funds, facilitating access to homeownership for teachers, school staff, and other professionals. Additionally, Landed offers personalized support through a dedicated team, including partner agents and homebuying experts, to help clients navigate their home-buying options and provide education on the process.

Landed

Seed Round in 2016
Landed, Inc. is a financial services company based in San Francisco that assists essential professionals, particularly in education and healthcare, in purchasing homes and achieving financial stability within their communities. Founded in 2015, Landed provides debt-free financing options, allowing homebuyers to receive funds in exchange for a share of their home's value upon refinancing or selling. The company collaborates with schools, employers, and affinity networks to establish and manage down payment support funds, facilitating access to homeownership for teachers, school staff, and other professionals. Additionally, Landed offers personalized support through a dedicated team, including partner agents and homebuying experts, to help clients navigate their home-buying options and provide education on the process.

Zebit

Series A in 2016
Zebit, Inc. is an e-commerce company based in San Diego, California, that focuses on providing credit-challenged consumers with access to a wide range of products through its website, Zebit.com. Founded in 2001, Zebit aims to create positive changes in the lives of its customers by offering a proprietary financing solution that allows them to pay for their purchases in installments over six months. The company utilizes consumer income data and advanced risk analytics to facilitate shopping for name-brand products within a closed marketplace. Zebit's offerings include various categories of products, such as electronics and e-certificates, enabling customers to make essential purchases while managing their budgets effectively.

Juntos

Seed Round in 2013
Juntos Finanzas, Inc. was founded in 2010 out of the Stanford d.school with a mission to build digital mobile tools that create financial stability for low-income consumers. Our products empower individuals to take control of their financial lives and achieve their dreams. Today, we serve low-income consumers in emerging markets who are entering financial institutions for the first time: banking, insurance, loans, etc. By partnering with banks, we distribute our products to this new market, increasing account activity, boosting deposits, and creating the foundation of financial security.

SoFi

Series A in 2011
SoFi, established in 2011 and headquartered in San Francisco, operates as a commercial bank offering a range of financial services. Primarily serving early-career professionals, SoFi provides personal loans, mortgage refinancing, and student loan assistance. Their wealth management services include retirement savings plans, investment products, and credit card offerings. Additionally, they provide small business financing solutions.
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