Caterina Fake

Caterina Fake is a highly regarded venture capitalist and entrepreneur, best known as the co-founder of Flickr, a pioneering photo-sharing platform acquired by Yahoo in 2005, and Hunch, a recommendation engine acquired by eBay in 2011. Her deep experience as a product visionary and founder provides her with a unique perspective as an investor. She transitioned from building companies to funding them, initially as an angel investor and later co-founding Yes VC with Jyri Engestrom.

Yes VC, launched in 2017, operates with a distinctive investment thesis centered on "meaningful technology" that fosters human connection, creativity, and community. The firm raised a $50 million fund to back early-stage companies, primarily at the Seed and Series A stages. Caterina and Yes VC are known for their focus on ethical technology and companies that aim to improve the world, often looking beyond immediate financial returns to long-term societal impact. Their portfolio reflects this philosophy, including investments in companies that have scaled significantly while maintaining a strong user-centric approach.

As an investor, Caterina Fake brings not only capital but also invaluable strategic guidance and a founder-friendly approach. Yes VC typically leads or co-leads rounds, providing significant support to its portfolio companies. The firm has made over 60 investments to date, demonstrating a consistent commitment to backing innovative founders who are building the next generation of impactful internet companies. Her investment decisions are often influenced by her past successes in creating platforms that facilitate user interaction and expression, seeking out teams with strong product intuition and a clear vision for their market.