Urban Innovation Fund

Urban Innovation Fund is a San Francisco-based venture capital firm established in 2016, dedicated to enhancing the livability, sustainability, and economic vitality of urban areas. The firm provides seed capital and regulatory support to entrepreneurs addressing urban challenges, aiming to help them evolve into leading companies of tomorrow. With over $200 million in assets under management, Urban Innovation Fund has invested in more than 60 seed-stage startups across various sectors, including transportation, energy, sustainability, regulatory technology, proptech, edtech, fintech, small business services, health, public safety, and govtech. The firm's investment strategy focuses on early-stage companies that are shaping the future of urban living. Notable portfolio companies include Finli, a provider of mobile-first financial tools for small businesses, and Solarcycle, which specializes in recycling and reusing solar panels and batteries. Urban Innovation Fund is led by Managing Partners Clara Brenner and Julie Lein, who co-founded the firm after their tenure at Tumml, a startup hub for urban tech. Their work has been featured in numerous press outlets, such as MSNBC and TechCrunch. The firm's commitment to diversity is evident, with over half of the founding team members and boards of its portfolio companies being women or people of color. Urban Innovation Fund's mission is to invest in the future of cities by supporting entrepreneurs who are solving today's toughest urban challenges.