JULIE HANNA

Julie Hanna stands out as a prominent Venture Partner at Obvious Ventures, a firm dedicated to backing "World Positive" companies that achieve both substantial profit and meaningful purpose. In her role, Hanna leverages her extensive experience to identify and nurture startups poised to make a significant impact across various sectors. Her investment thesis at Obvious Ventures centers on scalable solutions that address critical global challenges, often exploring areas such as fintech innovation, the evolving future of work, advancements in health and wellness, and the development of sustainable systems.

Hanna's career trajectory is marked by a unique blend of entrepreneurial spirit and executive leadership. Before joining Obvious Ventures, she made a profound mark as the co-founder of Kiva, the pioneering peer-to-peer micro-lending platform that has facilitated billions in loans to entrepreneurs worldwide. Her vision at Kiva demonstrated how technology could democratize access to capital and empower underserved communities on a global scale. Prior to Kiva, Hanna held key executive positions, including a significant role at OpenTable, where she contributed to scaling one of the internet’s most successful consumer services. This diverse background provides her with a deep understanding of both startup challenges and the complexities of scaling successful ventures.

Beyond her operational and investment roles, Julie Hanna has been a vocal advocate for entrepreneurship and social innovation. She served as a Presidential Ambassador for Global Entrepreneurship (PAGE) under President Barack Obama, advising on policies to foster entrepreneurship and economic growth globally. This experience underscores her commitment to creating ecosystems where innovative ideas can flourish and contribute to a better world. Her involvement extends to various boards, where she guides companies towards achieving their dual goals of financial success and positive societal contribution.

At Obvious Ventures, Julie Hanna continues to seek out founders who are not just building businesses, but are also crafting solutions to pressing global issues. Her approach is characterized by a hands-on partnership with entrepreneurs, offering strategic guidance derived from her own journey as a founder and leader. She is particularly interested in companies that utilize technology to create more equitable access, foster greater efficiency, and promote sustainability across industries. Through her work, Hanna exemplifies the firm's mission to invest in companies that are not only profitable but also inherently good for the world. Her influence helps shape a new generation of businesses that prioritize both financial returns and measurable positive impact.