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Learn which startups Twelve Below invests in, what size check sizes they write, and who their partners are (e.g. Taylor Greene).
Key people at Twelve Below.
Twelve Below operates as a venture capital firm specializing in leading pre-seed and seed investment rounds. It focuses on partnering with founders to provide comprehensive guidance through critical stages like product-market fit and go-to-market strategies. The firm supports innovative software companies across various sectors, including fintech, healthcare, and energy, particularly those led by founders with unique market insights.
The firm was co-founded by Byron Ling and Taylor Greene, both bringing extensive experience as partners from prominent early-stage venture capital firms. Ling previously worked at Primary and Canaan, while Greene had a tenure at Lerer Hippeau and Collaborative. Their collaboration originated from a shared insight: a need to redefine venture capital through deeper partnership and more involved, hands-on support for founders navigating the early stages of company building.
Twelve Below primarily serves founders of early-stage companies, often within the New York City ecosystem, who are developing breakthrough ideas. The firm envisions itself as a foundational partner for these entrepreneurs, dedicated to serving them in the most formative phases of their company's development. Its overarching mission is to foster the creation of impactful companies by leading with conviction and trust.
Twelve Below is a New York-based venture capital firm dedicated to empowering ambitious founders at the earliest stages of their journey. Their mission centers on being the “first true partner” to entrepreneurs, providing not just capital but hands-on mentorship, strategic guidance, and deep operational support. The firm’s investment philosophy is rooted in high conviction, low-volume investing—typically leading or co-leading pre-seed and seed rounds with checks ranging from $1M to $3M. Twelve Below prioritizes trust, founder alignment, and long-term partnership, aiming for a 10–15% ownership stake per core investment to ensure meaningful influence and commitment.
The firm focuses on software-enabled businesses across fintech, healthcare, energy, SMB, and consumer sectors, with a strong emphasis on the New York City startup ecosystem. Since its inception in 2021, Twelve Below has managed $160 million in assets under management, including two newly closed funds totaling $108 million. Their approach has helped more than 60% of their portfolio companies secure follow-on funding, underscoring their impact in nurturing early-stage startups and shaping the next wave of innovation.
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Twelve Below was founded in 2021 by Taylor Greene and Byron Ling, both seasoned venture capitalists with deep roots in the New York startup scene. Greene previously worked at Collaborative Fund and Lerer Hippeau, while Ling’s background includes roles at Canaan and Primary Venture Partners. The two had collaborated for over a decade on notable deals such as Mirror, Papa, and K Health, building a reputation for spotting high-potential founders early and supporting them through critical growth phases.
Their shared belief in the “old-school” approach to venture capital—small fund sizes, high ownership, and relationship-driven investing—led them to launch Twelve Below. The firm was designed from the ground up to be founder-centric, with no platform team, ensuring founders work directly with the partners. This model has allowed Twelve Below to build a tight-knit, high-impact portfolio and establish itself as a trusted partner for early-stage entrepreneurs.
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Twelve Below is riding the wave of increased interest in early-stage, software-enabled businesses, particularly in fintech, healthcare, and energy. The timing is ideal, as these sectors are experiencing rapid innovation and disruption, driven by advances in technology and shifting consumer behaviors. By focusing on the pre-seed and seed stages, Twelve Below is positioned to capture value at the earliest points of company formation, when the potential for outsized returns is highest.
Their emphasis on trust, founder alignment, and hands-on support sets them apart in a crowded venture capital landscape. As the startup ecosystem continues to evolve, Twelve Below’s approach is likely to influence how other firms think about early-stage investing, emphasizing the importance of deep relationships and long-term partnership over transactional deals.
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Twelve Below is poised for continued growth and influence in the venture capital world. Their unique blend of high-conviction investing, founder-centric support, and deep NYC roots positions them to identify and nurture the next generation of breakout startups. As the firm continues to build its track record and expand its network, its impact on the startup ecosystem is likely to grow, shaping the future of early-stage investing in key sectors like fintech, healthcare, and energy.
Looking ahead, Twelve Below’s focus on trust, alignment, and hands-on support will remain a key differentiator, setting a new standard for what it means to be a true partner to founders. As the startup landscape evolves, Twelve Below’s approach will continue to resonate with ambitious entrepreneurs seeking more than just capital—they’ll find a partner committed to their long-term success.
Key people at Twelve Below.
