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Learn which startups Harrison Metal invests in, what size check sizes they write, and who their partners are (e.g. Michael Dearing).
Key people at Harrison Metal.
Harrison Metal is a seed-stage venture capital firm, investing in private technology companies. It actively manages a portfolio, supplying capital and guidance to early-stage enterprises. Beyond investment, Harrison Metal provides educational resources:a content library and classes:imparting practical business management insights from deep operational experience.
Michael Dearing established Harrison Metal in 2008, driven by the insight that operational leadership is key for early-stage investing success. Dearing’s pedigree includes serving as a senior executive at eBay and a Stanford consulting professor. His diverse prior strategic roles profoundly shaped the firm’s disciplined methodology for nurturing innovative ventures.
Harrison Metal serves discerning limited partners, like university endowments, seeking technology startup exposure. The firm also extends expertise to aspiring business leaders through educational programs. Its vision centers on fostering groundbreaking tech companies, equipping individuals with practical management knowledge for effective leadership.
Harrison Metal is a U.S.-based venture capital firm founded in 2008 by Michael Dearing, focused on early-stage, high-growth technology startups. The firm’s mission is to back visionary founders building scalable, disruptive businesses—primarily in consumer internet, software, and small business solutions—while providing not just capital but deep operational mentorship and strategic support. Harrison Metal operates with a hands-on, founder-centric philosophy, emphasizing strong team quality, product excellence, and long-term market leadership over short-term metrics.
The firm invests predominantly at the seed and Series A stages, typically writing checks between $100K and $3M, and has built a concentrated portfolio of technology-driven companies across the U.S. With a generalist lens and a particular strength in product-led, internet-native businesses, Harrison Metal has become a trusted partner for founders navigating early growth. Its influence in the startup ecosystem stems from its disciplined approach, high-conviction investing, and active role in shaping company strategy, go-to-market execution, and leadership development.
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Harrison Metal was founded in 2008 by Michael Dearing, a seasoned operator and investor with deep roots in Silicon Valley. Before launching the firm, Dearing held leadership roles at eBay, where he rose from category manager to Senior Vice President & General Merchandise Manager, gaining firsthand experience scaling a major consumer internet platform. Earlier in his career, he worked at The Walt Disney Company in strategic planning, Filene’s Basement in retail operations, and Bain & Company as a management consultant, building a broad operational toolkit.
Dearing later taught as a Consulting Associate Professor at Stanford University, where he developed frameworks around product management, organizational design, and business history. That experience crystallized his belief in the power of “management craft” in early-stage companies—leading him to launch Harrison Metal as a solo-GP fund focused on backing exceptional founders with rigorous thinking, strong product instincts, and the potential to build enduring companies. Over time, the firm has raised six funds and cultivated a reputation for thoughtful, founder-aligned investing.
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Harrison Metal sits at the intersection of two powerful trends: the rise of product-led, internet-native startups and the growing demand for operator-investors who can help founders scale with discipline. In an era where early-stage valuations have soared and many funds prioritize speed over depth, Harrison Metal’s focus on management quality, sustainable growth, and long-term value creation stands out.
The firm is well-positioned in the current environment, where investors and founders alike are re-emphasizing unit economics, product-market fit, and operational excellence. Its strength in consumer internet and software aligns with enduring secular shifts—digital transformation, SaaS adoption, and the empowerment of small businesses through technology. By backing companies early and helping them build strong foundations, Harrison Metal plays a quiet but influential role in shaping the next generation of category-defining businesses.
Moreover, through Dearing’s teaching and public writing on business history and management, the firm contributes to the broader intellectual infrastructure of the startup ecosystem, influencing how founders think about strategy, culture, and leadership.
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Harrison Metal is likely to remain a boutique but highly influential player in early-stage venture, especially as the market continues to reward disciplined, founder-aligned investors. While it may never be the largest fund in the room, its reputation for deep founder partnership and operational rigor gives it outsized access to top-tier deals and strong follow-on opportunities.
Looking ahead, the firm’s future will depend on its ability to maintain its high-conviction, hands-on model at scale, while continuing to evolve its thesis in response to new technological waves—such as AI-native applications, vertical SaaS, and next-generation consumer platforms. As more founders seek investors who can act as true operating partners, Harrison Metal’s emphasis on “management craft” could become even more valuable.
In a world of increasingly commoditized venture capital, Harrison Metal’s enduring edge may be its simplicity: one experienced operator, backing exceptional founders, with a clear philosophy and a long-term horizon. That combination remains rare—and powerful.
Key people at Harrison Metal.
