At a Glance
Hustle Fund has carved out a distinctive position in Silicon Valley's venture capital ecosystem by championing solo founders and underrepresented entrepreneurs at the pre-seed stage. Co-founded in 2017 by Elizabeth Yin and Eric Bahn, the San Francisco-based firm operates with a contrarian philosophy that runs counter to traditional VC wisdom, particularly in their willingness to back single-person founding teams. The fund's data-driven approach stems from Yin's background as a former 500 Startups partner and Bahn's experience as a serial entrepreneur and venture scout. Hustle Fund has deployed capital across multiple sectors including consumer technology, enterprise software, SaaS platforms, and marketplace businesses, with check sizes typically ranging from $25,000 to $100,000 in initial investments. The firm has built a reputation for being operator-friendly and maintaining high engagement with portfolio companies despite writing smaller checks than traditional institutional investors. Notable investments include companies like Clubhouse during its pre-viral phase, though the firm's strategy focuses more on portfolio breadth than concentrated bets on unicorn candidates. Hustle Fund's investment committee includes a diverse group of operators and investors who evaluate deals based on founder grit, market timing, and product-market fit indicators rather than traditional pedigree markers. The firm has been particularly active in backing female founders and entrepreneurs from non-traditional backgrounds, with approximately 40% of their portfolio consisting of companies with female founders or co-founders. Their operational model includes regular founder dinners, peer mentorship programs, and access to a network of follow-on investors for promising portfolio companies. Hustle Fund has also pioneered the use of rolling funds and innovative LP structures, allowing them to deploy capital more quickly than traditional venture funds. The firm's approach to due diligence emphasizes speed and founder potential over extensive market analysis, often making investment decisions within days rather than weeks or months.
“Bets on the speed of the founder, not just the idea. Backs resourceful, fast-executing entrepreneurs at the earliest stages.”
Hustle Fund has raised multiple vehicles since its 2017 inception, growing from an initial fund focused on micro-investments to managing approximately $150 million in assets under management. The firm has expanded its fund structure to include rolling funds and syndicate vehicles, allowing for more flexible capital deployment and broader LP participation. While specific fund performance metrics remain private, the firm has demonstrated consistent fundraising ability and portfolio growth, suggesting solid returns relative to their pre-seed investment stage and risk profile.
Elizabeth Yin
Co-Founder & General Partner, Hustle Fund
Shiyan Koh
Co-Founder & General Parnter, Hustle Fund
Hustle Fund primarily invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed stages. This means they focus on companies that are at the earliest idea or prototype phase.
Hustle Fund is headquartered in San Francisco, CA. Many of their portfolio companies are also based in this region, though they invest across geographies.
Hustle Fund focuses on investments in Consumer, Enterprise, SaaS, Marketplace. Their portfolio reflects deep expertise and networks within these sectors.
Hustle Fund's typical investment check size ranges from $25K to $500K. Actual amounts may vary based on the stage, sector, and specific opportunity.
Hustle Fund manages approximately $150M in assets under management (AUM) across their funds.
