Harlem Capital Announces New 'All Winners Welcome' Initiative
New York-based seed fund Harlem Capital Partners announced its "All Winners Welcome" initiative as part of its next phase of investment. In its February newsletter, the firm signaled continued focus on backing diverse founders in verticals including SaaS, AI, and consumer apps, reinforcing its role in NYC's early-stage ecosystem.
Founded in 2015 by Henri Pierre-Jacques and Jarrid Tingle, Harlem Capital now manages $174 million in assets. The firm's second fund closed at $134 million, oversubscribing its initial $100 million target, with a stated mission to invest in 1,000 diverse founders over 20 years. The "All Winners Welcome" strategy signals a focus on experienced operators and proven entrepreneurs building in high-growth areas. This includes backing repeat founders like Ryan Williams, previously of Cadre, who is now building a stealth AI company, and Austen Bunsen of AccessGrid, who previously co-founded Quicknode. With a deeper focus on AI and digital infrastructure, the firm's portfolio includes companies creating practical tools for engineers. For example, portfolio company Lava recently introduced a tool to help development teams monitor and control their AI-related spending without hindering innovation. Harlem Capital typically makes initial investments between $500,000 and $1.5 million for seed and Series A rounds, targeting over 10% ownership. The firm has invested in over 60 companies, including notable names like pet wellness platform Wagmo, gig economy marketplace Jobble, and B2B hygiene provider Aunt Flow. A unique aspect of their model is the "Culture Carry" initiative, which allows founders in their second fund to split 1% of the fund's carry. This structure is designed to create a collaborative ecosystem, giving founders a vested interest in the success of their peers across the portfolio.
