Brad Burnham

Brad Burnham stands as a pivotal figure in the venture capital landscape, serving as a founding Partner at Union Square Ventures (USV). At USV, a firm renowned for its prescient early stage investments, Brad has been instrumental in shaping an investment thesis centered on companies that build large, engaged networks and leverage the power of open protocols. His vision has consistently guided USV towards groundbreaking opportunities within the internet and software sectors.

Brad's investment philosophy is deeply rooted in the belief that the most impactful companies are those that empower users and foster vibrant communities. He actively seeks out startups that demonstrate strong network effects, whether through social platforms, developer tools, open source projects, or decentralized technologies. His portfolio reflects a keen eye for innovation, often identifying companies poised to redefine how people connect, create, and interact online. His focus areas include consumer internet applications, infrastructure software, and emerging web technologies that prioritize user ownership and participation.

Before co-founding Union Square Ventures, Brad Burnham cultivated a rich and diverse career background that provided him with a unique perspective on the evolving digital world. He was a co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of AT&T's Consumer Internet Services, where he played a key role in bringing internet access to a broad consumer base. Prior to that, he co-founded and served as CEO of TheStreet.com, an innovative online financial news publication. His entrepreneurial journey also includes co-founding and leading Feed Magazine, an early and influential online publication that explored culture and technology. This extensive experience across media, technology, and internet infrastructure equipped him with an unparalleled understanding of the internet's potential and its underlying dynamics.

Throughout his tenure at USV, Brad has been associated with numerous notable investments that have gone on to become household names and industry leaders. While USV operates with a collaborative investment approach, Brad's insights and guidance have been crucial in many of the firm's successes. These include early investments in transformative companies such as Twitter, Etsy, Tumblr, Foursquare, MongoDB, and Stack Overflow. These investments exemplify his consistent focus on platforms that connect people, facilitate creation, and build significant value through user interaction and community engagement. His contributions have not only driven financial returns but have also significantly shaped the modern internet ecosystem.

Brad Burnham continues to be a thought leader in venture capital, frequently sharing his perspectives on the future of technology, decentralized systems, and the evolving digital economy. His enduring commitment to identifying and nurturing companies that harness the power of networks ensures his continued influence on the next generation of internet innovators.