Ulu Ventures

Ulu Ventures is a Palo Alto, California-based seed and early-stage venture capital firm that backs technology-driven startups across the United States. Founded in 2008, it focuses on internet-enabled consumer and business services and a broad range of sectors including EdTech, FinTech, healthcare, sustainability, enterprise IT, SaaS, IoT, digital media, mobile, agtech, and marketplaces. The firm emphasizes backing diverse entrepreneurial teams and typically engages in co-investments with other investors to pursue meaningful exits. It is described as the first Latina-led venture fund in Silicon Valley and is among the larger seed-focused vehicles in the region.

Kathy Chen

Partner

Kevin Hoffberg

Venture Partner

Clint Korver Ph.D

Co-Founder and Managing Director

Stephen Malinak

Venture Partner

Steve Reale

Venture Partner

Past deals in Human Resources

ADEii Health

Funding Round in 2023
ADEii Health is dedicated to addressing the mental health crisis by closing the labor gap in mental health services. The company collaborates with school districts, higher education institutions, community health organizations, and healthcare providers to deliver tailored behavioral health and wellness services that meet specific community needs. ADEii Health enhances access to professional licensing and facilitates connections between communities and behavioral health teams. Additionally, it utilizes technology to streamline intake and assessment processes, thereby improving the overall consistency and quality of care. Through these initiatives, ADEii Health aims to strengthen the healthcare industry's capacity to respond effectively to the demands for mental health support.

Praxis Labs

Series A in 2023
Praxis Labs designs and delivers diversity and inclusion training solutions that blend research-based curriculum with immersive technology. It develops virtual reality and online learning modules to help employees understand and empathize with implicit bias, using perspective-taking experiences and production-grade materials, and provides data-driven metrics to track learning outcomes. The platform enables organizations to implement bias-reduction programs and measure improvements in inclusion within the workplace.

Eskalera

Seed Round in 2023
Eskalera Inc., established in 2018 and based in San Francisco, specializes in designing and developing human resource software for large and mid-sized businesses. The company's primary offering is Eskalera Engage, an AI-driven platform that integrates diversity and inclusion insights with core HR data to provide actionable employee experience signals. This enables companies to enhance workplace culture, improve employee engagement, productivity, and growth. Eskalera also provides skill-based programs tailored to address specific organizational needs.

HUSSLUP

Seed Round in 2023
HUSSLUP is a platform designed to support creators in the media and entertainment industries by facilitating connections and collaboration. It provides users with personal profiles that feature verified credits and encrypted creative samples, helping to establish credibility within a diverse global community. The platform includes a Pro Search tool that allows executives, producers, and representatives to search for and connect with talent suited for their projects. Additionally, HUSSLUP enables creators to organize and share annotated contact lists by project, fostering networking opportunities. Through its marketplace, clients and brands can easily discover and engage with professionals, streamlining the hiring process and promoting collaboration on creative projects.

Assemble

Seed Round in 2022
Assemble is a compensation management platform designed to help organizations make systematic compensation decisions. It aims to attract, motivate, and retain employees while eliminating inequitable pay.

Eskalera

Funding Round in 2022
Eskalera Inc., established in 2018 and based in San Francisco, specializes in designing and developing human resource software for large and mid-sized businesses. The company's primary offering is Eskalera Engage, an AI-driven platform that integrates diversity and inclusion insights with core HR data to provide actionable employee experience signals. This enables companies to enhance workplace culture, improve employee engagement, productivity, and growth. Eskalera also provides skill-based programs tailored to address specific organizational needs.

Praxis Labs

Series A in 2021
Praxis Labs designs and delivers diversity and inclusion training solutions that blend research-based curriculum with immersive technology. It develops virtual reality and online learning modules to help employees understand and empathize with implicit bias, using perspective-taking experiences and production-grade materials, and provides data-driven metrics to track learning outcomes. The platform enables organizations to implement bias-reduction programs and measure improvements in inclusion within the workplace.

Praxis Labs

Seed Round in 2021
Praxis Labs designs and delivers diversity and inclusion training solutions that blend research-based curriculum with immersive technology. It develops virtual reality and online learning modules to help employees understand and empathize with implicit bias, using perspective-taking experiences and production-grade materials, and provides data-driven metrics to track learning outcomes. The platform enables organizations to implement bias-reduction programs and measure improvements in inclusion within the workplace.

Eskalera

Seed Round in 2020
Eskalera Inc., established in 2018 and based in San Francisco, specializes in designing and developing human resource software for large and mid-sized businesses. The company's primary offering is Eskalera Engage, an AI-driven platform that integrates diversity and inclusion insights with core HR data to provide actionable employee experience signals. This enables companies to enhance workplace culture, improve employee engagement, productivity, and growth. Eskalera also provides skill-based programs tailored to address specific organizational needs.

Praxis Labs

Seed Round in 2020
Praxis Labs designs and delivers diversity and inclusion training solutions that blend research-based curriculum with immersive technology. It develops virtual reality and online learning modules to help employees understand and empathize with implicit bias, using perspective-taking experiences and production-grade materials, and provides data-driven metrics to track learning outcomes. The platform enables organizations to implement bias-reduction programs and measure improvements in inclusion within the workplace.

Interviewing.io

Seed Round in 2019
Founded in 2015, Interviewing.io operates a platform that connects software engineers with senior engineers from top tech companies for anonymous mock interviews. This approach helps candidates prepare for technical job interviews and saves hiring managers time by fast-tracking strong performers.

Eskalera

Seed Round in 2019
Eskalera Inc., established in 2018 and based in San Francisco, specializes in designing and developing human resource software for large and mid-sized businesses. The company's primary offering is Eskalera Engage, an AI-driven platform that integrates diversity and inclusion insights with core HR data to provide actionable employee experience signals. This enables companies to enhance workplace culture, improve employee engagement, productivity, and growth. Eskalera also provides skill-based programs tailored to address specific organizational needs.

Riva

Seed Round in 2019
Riva is an automated tool designed to assist job seekers in negotiating their job offers. Founded in 2018 and based in Palo Alto, California, Riva leverages machine learning and extensive verified data to provide users with insights into their worth and generate effective negotiation strategies. The platform utilizes proven negotiation techniques, backed by Harvard research, to empower candidates in maximizing their compensation. Riva's software enables users to create personalized email scripts and phone negotiation strategies, thereby reducing information asymmetry and enhancing their ability to manage career advancements effectively.

Swing Education

Series B in 2018
Swing Education, Inc. is a technology company based in San Mateo, California, that operates an online platform designed to connect K-12 schools with substitute teachers. Founded in 2015, the company addresses the challenges schools face in filling temporary staff absences, which are prevalent in the educational system. On average, U.S. students spend approximately 5% of their school year with substitute teachers, which can disrupt learning continuity. The platform streamlines the process of finding, screening, and scheduling substitute teachers, alleviating administrative burdens for school leaders and ensuring quality coverage for hard-to-fill positions. This marketplace not only benefits schools by providing on-demand access to substitutes but also allows teachers to secure desirable assignments throughout the academic year.

tEQuitable

Seed Round in 2018
Founded in 2017, tEQuitable operates an independent platform that enables employees to confidentially report workplace issues ranging from subtle bias to severe harassment. It provides professional guidance, quantifies systemic issues, and offers actionable recommendations to foster safe, inclusive, and equitable workplaces.

Interviewing.io

Seed Round in 2017
Founded in 2015, Interviewing.io operates a platform that connects software engineers with senior engineers from top tech companies for anonymous mock interviews. This approach helps candidates prepare for technical job interviews and saves hiring managers time by fast-tracking strong performers.

Glassbreakers

Seed Round in 2017
Glassbreakers, Inc. is an enterprise software company that specializes in providing a peer-mentoring platform aimed at enhancing diversity and inclusion within organizations. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Oakland, California, the company offers data-driven mentorship and talent development tools designed to support companies in retaining and promoting women. Glassbreakers' solutions focus on managing employee resource groups effectively, enabling large organizations to improve their diversity initiatives, enhance recruitment and retention efforts, and foster leadership development. By integrating inclusivity into business practices, Glassbreakers aims to help companies achieve greater productivity and better overall performance.

BetterUp

Seed Round in 2016
BetterUp Inc. is a leadership development company that offers an innovative online platform aimed at enhancing the personal and professional growth of individuals and organizations. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in San Francisco, BetterUp specializes in virtual coaching, providing users with personalized guidance through one-on-one sessions with a network of over 3,000 coaches available in 46 languages across more than 90 countries. The platform focuses on fostering mental fitness, career and leadership development, and social connection, thereby enabling employees to develop new behaviors and skills that promote high performance in a rapidly changing work environment. With a client base that includes prominent organizations such as NASA, Google, and Hilton, BetterUp has established itself as a leader in the field of mental health and coaching. The company is supported by a distinguished Science Board composed of experts in positive psychology and human performance, further enhancing its credibility and impact in the industry.

BetterUp

Seed Round in 2016
BetterUp Inc. is a leadership development company that offers an innovative online platform aimed at enhancing the personal and professional growth of individuals and organizations. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in San Francisco, BetterUp specializes in virtual coaching, providing users with personalized guidance through one-on-one sessions with a network of over 3,000 coaches available in 46 languages across more than 90 countries. The platform focuses on fostering mental fitness, career and leadership development, and social connection, thereby enabling employees to develop new behaviors and skills that promote high performance in a rapidly changing work environment. With a client base that includes prominent organizations such as NASA, Google, and Hilton, BetterUp has established itself as a leader in the field of mental health and coaching. The company is supported by a distinguished Science Board composed of experts in positive psychology and human performance, further enhancing its credibility and impact in the industry.

Swing Education

Seed Round in 2016
Swing Education, Inc. is a technology company based in San Mateo, California, that operates an online platform designed to connect K-12 schools with substitute teachers. Founded in 2015, the company addresses the challenges schools face in filling temporary staff absences, which are prevalent in the educational system. On average, U.S. students spend approximately 5% of their school year with substitute teachers, which can disrupt learning continuity. The platform streamlines the process of finding, screening, and scheduling substitute teachers, alleviating administrative burdens for school leaders and ensuring quality coverage for hard-to-fill positions. This marketplace not only benefits schools by providing on-demand access to substitutes but also allows teachers to secure desirable assignments throughout the academic year.

Bridge

Seed Round in 2014
Bridge U.S. Inc. is a technology-driven immigration service provider based in San Francisco, California. Established in 2011, the company offers a platform that assists individuals and businesses in navigating their immigration options, including U.S. citizenship, green cards, temporary visas, student visas, and work visas. Bridge combines advanced software with legal expertise to streamline the immigration process, ensuring efficient application management and enhancing the experience for international employees. By leveraging its technology and legal resources, the company aims to deliver organized immigration solutions for organizations of all sizes.

Viridis Learning

Seed Round in 2013
Viridis Learning, Inc. is an education technology company specializing in workforce education and human capital solutions for the middle-skill workforce. The company operates a platform that facilitates training, certification, and job placement for individuals seeking to enter, sustain, or advance in middle-skill occupations. Through its human capital technology solution, Viridis, the company addresses skill deficiencies by aligning training programs with the needs of local employers. The training offerings include a variety of courses such as Residential Concrete Specialization, Energy Management and Controls, and Advanced Residential Construction Supervisor, among others. With its base in New York, New York, Viridis Learning aims to enhance the employability of individuals while meeting the demands of employers in the middle-skill labor market.

Kanjoya

Series C in 2012
Kanjoya, Inc. operates a workforce intelligence and management platform designed for enterprise companies. The company specializes in employee engagement solutions that allow organizations to capture feedback, analyze results in real-time, and distribute vital intelligence. Its key offerings include Kanjoya Perception, which assesses employee emotions, attitudes, and intentions while predicting behaviors; a Workday directory that facilitates employee surveys and performance reviews; and Perception for Performance, a tool that helps managers evaluate, reward, and motivate employees. By leveraging advanced artificial intelligence, natural language processing, and machine learning, Kanjoya provides insights into the motivations and emotions driving business outcomes. Founded in 2006 and based in San Francisco, California, Kanjoya was previously known as Experience Project, Inc. The company has been a subsidiary of The Ultimate Software Group, Inc. since September 2016.

Proven

Series A in 2012
Proven is a hiring tool tailored for small businesses, providing an employment application software that simplifies the recruitment process. Founded in 2009 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, the platform allows employers to manage hiring tasks directly from their smartphones or tablets. Users can post job openings on platforms like Craigslist, as well as review resumes, respond to candidates, and contact them efficiently. Proven's fully native apps for iOS and Android enhance the hiring experience by making it accessible and convenient for busy employers.

Proven

Seed Round in 2011
Proven is a hiring tool tailored for small businesses, providing an employment application software that simplifies the recruitment process. Founded in 2009 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, the platform allows employers to manage hiring tasks directly from their smartphones or tablets. Users can post job openings on platforms like Craigslist, as well as review resumes, respond to candidates, and contact them efficiently. Proven's fully native apps for iOS and Android enhance the hiring experience by making it accessible and convenient for busy employers.
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