The Graduate Syndicate

The Graduate Syndicate is a Boston-based venture capital firm founded in 2016, led by Jeff Bussgang, a Senior Lecturer at Harvard Business School and co-founder of Flybridge Capital Partners. The firm focuses on investing in pre-seed and seed-stage startups that are primarily founded by recent graduates of Harvard, particularly from HBS. With a significant increase in entrepreneurial activity among students and alumni, The Graduate Syndicate aims to facilitate the creation of impactful and sustainable companies by connecting investors, students, and graduates.

Jeffrey J. Bussgang

Founder and Managing Partner

38 past transactions

Akooda

Pre Seed Round in 2021
Developer of AI-driven platform designed for remote working environments. The company's data science platform breaks down the company's digital work footprint to organize and curate work based on specific efforts and not the tools used, enabling employees and managers to understand and navigate the digital, hybrid, and remote work world to boost revenue and improve productivity.

X-COR Therapeutics

Seed Round in 2020
X-COR Therapeutics, based in Allston, Massachusetts, is a medical device company focused on developing innovative CO2 removal devices for patients experiencing acute respiratory failure. Founded in 2017, the company has created a novel consumable hybrid cartridge that enables the removal of excess carbon dioxide from a patient's blood using ultra-low blood flows of less than 300 ml/min. This approach is less invasive and allows for easier placement by nursing staff, making the therapy more accessible and affordable compared to traditional extracorporeal devices, which typically require higher blood flow rates and specialized medical personnel. X-COR's technology is supported by a machine-learning-based control algorithm and is designed to integrate smoothly with existing medical infrastructure, enhancing its usability in clinical settings. The company gained recognition as a runner-up in the 2018 Harvard President’s Innovation Challenge and participated in the MedTech Innovator and MassChallenge cohorts that same year.

Dexai Robotics

Seed Round in 2020
Dexai Robotics, Inc. is a company that designs and develops artificial intelligence robotics specifically for commercial kitchen automation. Founded in 2018 and based in Somerville, Massachusetts, Dexai focuses on streamlining operations within the food industry. The company's customized robots utilize advanced AI technology, machine vision, and machine learning to automate food assembly tasks. These robots can efficiently scoop or pick ingredients to prepare dishes like salads, ensuring that recipes remain unchanged. By simplifying daily operations in quick-serve restaurants and commercial kitchens, Dexai aims to enhance efficiency and productivity in the food service sector.

Flare

Seed Round in 2020
Flare Jewelry, Inc. is a Boston-based company that specializes in personal safety solutions for women. Founded in 2016, Flare has developed a discreet smart bracelet designed to assist wearers in uncomfortable or unsafe situations. The bracelet features a secret escape button that, when pressed, activates a mobile application to alert designated contacts and utilizes global positioning tracking to enhance safety. This system empowers women by providing them with a sense of control and security, enabling them to navigate crowded environments more confidently. Flare's innovative approach combines personal safety with technology to create a user-friendly solution tailored to individual needs.

Banyan Infrastructure

Seed Round in 2020
Banyan Infrastructure is a blockchain-based platform that focuses on financing, developing, and managing sustainable infrastructure projects. The company's purpose-built project finance software aims to simplify and accelerate the financing process throughout the entire project life cycle. By replacing traditional methods such as spreadsheets and emails with a digitized system, Banyan facilitates the automation of data aggregation and compliance tracking. This innovative approach allows clients to streamline the origination and securitization of renewable energy loans and investments, achieving higher volumes and reduced costs. Through its technology, Banyan Infrastructure seeks to optimize the overall efficiency of project finance in the renewable energy sector.

Local Locker

Seed Round in 2020
Local Locker Incorporated is a provider of self-storage services, offering secure and affordable storage solutions in urban settings. Founded in 2018 and based in Boston, Massachusetts, the company operates facilities in New York and Brooklyn, New York. Local Locker enables customers to select storage locations and unit sizes online, utilizing electronic leasing for a seamless experience. The service features contactless move-ins and move-in assistance, allowing users to access convenient storage options where they live and work, with flexible month-to-month leasing arrangements designed to save time and money.

Covalent (Boston)

Venture Round in 2019
Covalent Networks, Inc. is a Boston-based company that specializes in developing a web and mobile-based platform for on-the-job training (OJT) workflows. Founded in 2017, Covalent's platform facilitates the management of workforce operations and enhances the administration of employer-driven technical training programs. It offers solutions such as the Qualification Lifecycle Suite, which monitors stakeholder progress and provides real-time workforce qualification data, and an Analytics Suite that analyzes operations and staffing. The platform enables real-time visibility into performance, schedules, tasks, and goals, while tracking trainees' progress and collecting key data to improve recruitment, learning, and productivity outcomes across various facilities. This comprehensive approach allows businesses to effectively support dynamic workforce programs and train their teams efficiently.

Exporta Technologies

Pre Seed Round in 2019
Exporta Technologies, Inc. is a Boston-based company that develops an export-as-a-service platform aimed at assisting small manufacturers in entering the global e-commerce supply chain. Founded in 2017, the company provides a range of services including sourcing suppliers, sample selection, logistics, and distribution. Additionally, Exporta operates as a B2B marketplace, connecting wholesale and retail buyers in North America with suppliers in Latin America, thereby facilitating international trade and expanding market access for small manufacturers.

Habi

Pre Seed Round in 2019
Habi operates a proprietary pricing algorithm and platform to simplify the homeownership lifecycle throughout Latin America. The company provides middle-class customers buy and sell their homes more quickly and efficiently, without the uncertainty of traditional real estate transactions. Habi was founded in 2019 and is headquartered in Bogotá, Colombia.

Yalla Fel Sekka

Seed Round in 2019
Yalla Fel Sekka is a technology platform specializing in on-demand delivery services tailored for urban communities. The platform facilitates instant delivery for a diverse range of customers, including businesses and individual consumers, by providing efficient intra-city logistics and courier services. It caters to various sectors such as groceries, pharmacies, and e-commerce, enabling users to purchase items online and receive them promptly at their homes. With a scalable business model and a robust operational framework, Yalla Fel Sekka acts as a growth catalyst for small and medium-sized businesses, allowing them to tap into the expanding e-commerce market without significant investment in logistics infrastructure.

Toolbox

Pre Seed Round in 2019
Toolbox is focused on improving the work landscape for skilled construction workers, who collectively earn over $300 billion in wages. Founded in 2018 and based in New York, Toolbox operates a labor marketplace that empowers workers and subcontractors to showcase their professional skills, secure job opportunities, and reduce downtime through short-term gigs. Additionally, Toolbox provides financial technology solutions tailored for small and medium-sized businesses, offering intelligent banking services, financial insights, and automated bookkeeping. This platform enables businesses to easily compare and select lender offers, purchase materials and equipment, and gain a comprehensive view of their financial health, thereby facilitating access to necessary capital for growth.

Alpha Vantage

Seed Round in 2018
Alpha Vantage Inc. is a provider of application program interfaces (APIs) that deliver real-time and historical data on financial markets, including stocks, foreign exchange, and digital currencies. Incorporated in 2017 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the company focuses on creating accessible financial data solutions. Its APIs cover various categories such as stock time series data, technical indicators, and sector performance, aggregating information from diverse financial sources into a centralized platform. This enables software developers and sophisticated investors to leverage data effectively for building algorithms and digital assets. Alpha Vantage is committed to democratizing access to financial market data through its innovative technology and community-driven approach.

Zubale

Pre Seed Round in 2018
We empower brands and retailers to compete by providing technology to crowdsource work

Hemlane

Pre Seed Round in 2018
Hemlane is a nationwide property management platform designed to streamline the rental management process for property owners and real estate professionals. The platform empowers rental owners to manage their properties remotely, offering a transparent solution that includes various online tools and connections to maintenance coordinators and local support. Key features include rental marketing across over 30 listing websites, automated show scheduling for prospective tenants, and comprehensive applicant screening based on objective criteria. Hemlane also provides lease tracking to remind users of renewals and protect important documents, along with online rent collection options that facilitate ACH and credit/debit payments. Additionally, the platform alerts users to maintenance requests and integrates local expertise by connecting users with licensed agents and managers in their area, ensuring 24/7 coordination of maintenance and repair services.

EmCasa

Seed Round in 2018
EmCasa is a Latin American prop-tech. Its mission is to guide customers through the most important financial transaction of their lives: buying a home. EmCasa's asset-light, managed marketplace model, allows different real estate players to plug their supply into the platform and then supports buyers through the complete purchasing process (search, visit, negotiation, closing). By leveraging technology and proprietary data algorithms, EmCasa delivers a superior customer experience to anyone buying or selling properties in Brazil. It'll soon launch mortgage, financial services and other vital products, to become the preferred real estate marketplace in the region. The company was founded in Nov/2017 and raised $7.6M .

Skillist

Pre Seed Round in 2018
Skillist is a job application platform founded in 2016 and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. It aims to simplify the connection between employers and jobseekers by focusing on skills rather than traditional educational credentials. The platform primarily serves entry-level roles that emphasize soft skills, such as administration, coordination, and customer service. Skillist employs a skills-based and identity-blind application process, allowing candidates to showcase their abilities rather than their backgrounds. This approach particularly benefits talented individuals without four-year degrees, providing them with access to career-advancing opportunities at companies that prioritize skills. Additionally, Skillist facilitates the identification and verification of necessary skills, helping employers translate job listings into clear pathways for potential candidates.

Ribbon Health

Seed Round in 2018
Ribbon Health is a healthcare data platform that provides a software-as-a-service (SaaS) solution for healthcare enterprises. The platform offers comprehensive data on providers, insurance plans, and healthcare costs and quality metrics. Its services include tools for accurate provider directories, referral management, care navigation, and insurance enrollment. By delivering critical infrastructure for payers, providers, and digital health solutions, Ribbon Health enables clients to make informed decisions about healthcare services. The company serves a diverse range of clients, including health insurance companies, third-party administrators, clinics, hospitals, and digital health platforms. Founded in 2016 and based in New York, Ribbon Health was previously known as HealthWiz, Inc. before changing its name in March 2018.

Allianca Hospitalar

Seed Round in 2017
Allianca Hospitalar

Zoba

Pre Seed Round in 2017
Zoba, Inc., founded in 2016 and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, operates a web application that enables organizations to engage with real-time predictions of human behavior. The company specializes in developing an optimization platform that automates operational decisions, helping mobility companies enhance fleet performance and customer satisfaction. By utilizing spatial machine learning models and analyzing environmental data, Zoba's platform predicts demand for various services and optimizes network strategies. This approach allows organizations to make informed decisions regarding risk and location, thereby improving overall operational efficiency.

Getaway

Seed Round in 2017
Getaway House, Inc. operates a collection of tiny houses on wheels. It places tiny houses/cabins in the woods to enable customers recharge in nature and reconnect with the people they love. The company was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in Brooklyn, New York.

Funding Societies

Series A in 2017
Funding Societies Pte. Ltd. is a peer-to-peer financing platform based in Singapore, founded in 2015. It connects investors with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) seeking funding, thereby addressing financial inclusion challenges and making credit-worthy SMEs more bankable. The platform offers a range of flexible financing options, including micro and term loans, as well as invoice financing, supported by advanced credit scoring and risk assessment models. Since its inception, Funding Societies has facilitated over 3.3 million business loans, amounting to more than S$1.8 billion in funding. The company has received multiple accolades, including the Global Excellence Award from ITU Telecom, and holds operating licenses from regulators in Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia, making it a pioneer in the region's peer-to-peer lending landscape.

Fitzroy

Seed Round in 2017
Fitzroy Toys is an online B2B wholesale marketplace built to connect the toy industry.

DigitalOutposts

Seed Round in 2017
We're building a platform to host groups of remote working professionals and graduate students in distinctive coworking destinations. We bundle workspace, accommodation, logistics help, and activities, so guests can seamlessly get work done while exploring a new place. Our guests are people from around the world who have jobs, research, or projects to work on and who have strong passion, constant curiosity, and a love for travel.

Baroo

Seed Round in 2017
Baroo, Inc. is a provider of comprehensive pet care services tailored for urban pet owners, particularly in luxury multifamily properties across major U.S. cities such as Boston, Chicago, and Washington, D.C. Established in 2014 and headquartered in Boston, the company specializes in a variety of services designed for dogs and cats, including dog walking, in-home pet sitting, grooming, feeding, and training. Baroo serves approximately 50,000 residences and is actively expanding its partnerships with property management teams. The company prioritizes the safety and well-being of both pets and their owners, ensuring high-quality service through employee training in collaboration with MSPCA-Angell Memorial, a recognized authority in pet behavioral health.

Visor

Seed Round in 2017
Visor is a company that specializes in providing visual planning tools designed to enhance the efficiency of product and engineering teams. Founded in 2016 by Michael Yaroshefsky, Visor offers a spreadsheet-like platform that integrates bidirectionally with Jira, enabling users to customize views for various stakeholders. This tool allows both large and small businesses to effectively plan and track their projects, providing a comprehensive overview of their workflows. Headquartered in New York, Visor aims to streamline project management and improve collaboration within teams.

Boxbot

Pre Seed Round in 2017
Boxbot is a startup focused on transforming last-mile logistics, which is recognized as the most costly segment of delivery services. The company develops a parcel logistics automation platform that utilizes advanced robotics and automated systems to tackle core operational challenges within parcel delivery networks. By implementing an automated buffering storage and retrieval system, Boxbot aims to enhance the efficiency of logistics processes, ultimately optimizing the experiences of both suppliers and consumers. The integration of these technologies is designed to provide a scalable, end-to-end solution for real business problems in the logistics sector.

Tomorrow.io

Seed Round in 2017
Tomorrow.io develops a comprehensive weather intelligence platform designed to predict and address weather-related challenges. The platform offers a weather dashboard that delivers historical, real-time, and forecast data on various weather parameters, along with personalized insights to help businesses make informed decisions. It features a global weather API that provides hyperlocal forecasts and historical weather data worldwide. Additionally, Tomorrow.io offers a health operations optimization platform that integrates air quality insights with localized weather data, assisting businesses in managing health risks. The company serves diverse industries, including air freight, agriculture, automotive, aviation, construction, healthcare, and more. Founded in 2015, Tomorrow.io is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, with offices in Tel Aviv, Boulder, and Singapore.

Boundless

Seed Round in 2017
Boundless operates in two distinct sectors: education and immigration services. In the education sector, Boundless Learning, Inc. offers an online platform that provides a wide range of study materials, including content in subjects such as accounting, biology, history, and computer science, along with quizzes and PowerPoint templates. The platform aims to enhance the accessibility and utility of open educational resources for students. In the immigration sector, Boundless empowers families by offering tools, information, and personalized support to help them navigate the immigration system efficiently and affordably. The company's platform connects immigrants with resources, including access to immigration lawyers and online filing options. Founded in 2011 and based in Boston, Massachusetts, Boundless has expanded its focus to include immigration services since its inception in 2017, with headquarters in Seattle, Washington.

SnapStays

Seed Round in 2016
The biggest selection of medium-term furnished apartments

LovePop

Series A in 2016
LovePop, Inc. designs and manufactures magical pop-up greeting cards. The company provides pop-up greeting cards for various occasions, such as birthdays, new babies, weddings, just because, get well, thank you, sympathy, holidays, and Valentine's Day. It markets and sells its products through its outlets in Boston, Northern California, Southern California, and Las Vegas; and online. The company was incorporated in 2014 and is based in Boston, Massachusetts.

Osmosis

Seed Round in 2016
Osmosis is a personalized learning platform focused on enhancing health education by providing a deeper understanding of medical concepts. The platform enables clinicians and caregivers to access a wealth of educational resources, including a comprehensive library of videos and multiple-choice questions. Driven by data and technology, Osmosis aims to improve retention and preparedness for courses and exams, making it a valuable tool for medical professionals seeking to deepen their knowledge and skills in the healthcare field. By offering tailored content that goes beyond traditional lectures, Osmosis supports effective learning for a global audience in the medical community.

Baroo

Seed Round in 2016
Baroo, Inc. is a provider of comprehensive pet care services tailored for urban pet owners, particularly in luxury multifamily properties across major U.S. cities such as Boston, Chicago, and Washington, D.C. Established in 2014 and headquartered in Boston, the company specializes in a variety of services designed for dogs and cats, including dog walking, in-home pet sitting, grooming, feeding, and training. Baroo serves approximately 50,000 residences and is actively expanding its partnerships with property management teams. The company prioritizes the safety and well-being of both pets and their owners, ensuring high-quality service through employee training in collaboration with MSPCA-Angell Memorial, a recognized authority in pet behavioral health.

Amartha

Seed Round in 2016
Amartha is a financial technology company that connects micro and SME business partners with investors.

Camino Financial

Seed Round in 2016
Camino Financial, Inc. is a financial technology platform that focuses on providing affordable credit and financial services specifically for U.S. Latinx businesses. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Los Angeles, the company utilizes proprietary artificial intelligence and machine learning models to offer tailored funding solutions, including microloans ranging from $5,000 to $75,000. These loans are designed to support cash-based microenterprises and often feature monthly payments significantly lower than traditional credit products. Camino Financial also assists clients in accessing various funding options such as term loans, SBA express loans, and merchant cash advances, while offering credit analytics and technical assistance. The company aims to enhance financial accessibility for its clients through an omnichannel approach, leveraging online platforms and corporate partnerships to strengthen its distribution networks within the Latinx community.

Funding Societies

Series A in 2016
Funding Societies Pte. Ltd. is a peer-to-peer financing platform based in Singapore, founded in 2015. It connects investors with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) seeking funding, thereby addressing financial inclusion challenges and making credit-worthy SMEs more bankable. The platform offers a range of flexible financing options, including micro and term loans, as well as invoice financing, supported by advanced credit scoring and risk assessment models. Since its inception, Funding Societies has facilitated over 3.3 million business loans, amounting to more than S$1.8 billion in funding. The company has received multiple accolades, including the Global Excellence Award from ITU Telecom, and holds operating licenses from regulators in Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia, making it a pioneer in the region's peer-to-peer lending landscape.

DigitalOutposts

Seed Round in 2016
We're building a platform to host groups of remote working professionals and graduate students in distinctive coworking destinations. We bundle workspace, accommodation, logistics help, and activities, so guests can seamlessly get work done while exploring a new place. Our guests are people from around the world who have jobs, research, or projects to work on and who have strong passion, constant curiosity, and a love for travel.

Getaway

Seed Round in 2016
Getaway House, Inc. operates a collection of tiny houses on wheels. It places tiny houses/cabins in the woods to enable customers recharge in nature and reconnect with the people they love. The company was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in Brooklyn, New York.

Fitzroy

Seed Round in 2016
Fitzroy Toys is an online B2B wholesale marketplace built to connect the toy industry.
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