
The Hive
Description
The Hive, based in Palo Alto, California, operates as a pioneering venture builder and studio, specializing in the co-creation, funding, and launch of AI-powered enterprise startups. Established in 2012, The Hive distinguishes itself from traditional venture capital firms by engaging deeply with entrepreneurs from the ideation stage, providing not just capital but also extensive operational support, strategic guidance, and access to a network of experts and resources. Their unique model aims to de-risk the startup journey by building companies from the ground up, focusing on solving complex enterprise challenges through cutting-edge artificial intelligence solutions.
The firm's investment strategy is centered on identifying promising AI technologies and market opportunities, then partnering with talented founders to transform these concepts into viable businesses. This hands-on approach involves helping with team formation, product development, market validation, and go-to-market strategies. The Hive's portfolio spans various sectors where AI can drive significant enterprise value, including intelligent automation, data platforms, predictive analytics, and industry-specific AI applications.
Over its operational history, The Hive has demonstrated a robust track record, having co-created and launched over 20 companies that leverage AI to disrupt traditional industries. The firm has successfully raised multiple funds to support its venture building activities, including the closing of The Hive III fund at $30 million in 2021. This latest fund brought their total capital raised to over $50 million, underscoring their commitment to fostering innovation in the AI landscape. Their typical initial capital injection is designed to provide foundational support for these nascent ventures, enabling them to build initial teams and develop minimum viable products before seeking larger external funding rounds.
Investor Profile
The Hive has backed more than 24 startups, with 2 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 3 rounds, about 13% of its total and boasts 11 exits across its portfolio.
Investment Focus Highlights
- Concentrates on Seed, Series A, Series B rounds (top funding stages).
- Majority of deals are located in United States, France, India.
- Strong thematic focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI), Software, Analytics.
- Typical check size: $500K – $2M.
Stage Focus
- Seed (42%)
- Series A (29%)
- Series B (13%)
- Pre Seed (8%)
- Series Unknown (8%)
Country Focus
- United States (83%)
- France (4%)
- India (4%)
- Brazil (4%)
- Germany (4%)
Industry Focus
- Artificial Intelligence (Ai)
- Software
- Analytics
- Saas
- Information Technology
- Big Data
- Machine Learning
- Internet Of Things
- Network Security
- Security
Frequently Asked Questions
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