Menlo Labs helps talented builders start exceptional companies

We love founders

If you’re a builder aspiring to create an iconic company in a large and important sector, Menlo Labs is the place for you. Here, you’ll have the full support of our specialized Labs team and Menlo Ventures’ investment partners as you build a high-confidence path toward solving a significant, unmet need. We provide market insights, customer discovery expertise, and operational experience, while you lead the execution. Together, this collaboration is where the magic happens.

How we work with founders

We prioritize depth over breadth, providing pre-seed funding to only four to five companies each year. For each, we tailor a program to chart a path through the following:

1. Pick a big problem
   Great companies solve important problems for A LOT of customers. In collaboration with Menlo’s investment team that is constantly evaluating the best private companies, we ensure you zero in on a problem worth solving.
2. Validate the need
   No business plan survives first customers. Our validation experts embrace a structured customer discovery process, transforming hypotheses into demonstrated customer needs through primary research with end users. Our vast network of investors, portfolio companies, industry experts and research resources accelerates the process.
3. Identify a wedge
   Finding product-market fit is the hardest part of any startup journey. Our team helps you quickly explore and test a range of mission-aligned MVPs with target customers, increasing the odds  that “when you build it, they will come.”
4. Build your team
   All great startups require the efforts of world-class teammates and collaborators. Our talent team and recruiter network help you identify and attract world-class co-founders and early team members.
5. Land first customers
   To really test, iterate on, and scale an idea, you need customers. We work closely with you to land your first set of customers, ensuring you’re set up for success.

Building a breakthrough business from nothing is incredibly challenging. Create a strong foundation, build smart from the start, and chart a path to success with Menlo Labs as your partner.