Hayley Barna is a Partner based in New York. At First Round, Hayley has led investments in consumer companies including Mirror, Thirty Madison, Squad and Studs and B2B companies including Anvyl, Alma and Caper.
Prior to joining First Round she co-founded Birchbox, the leading beauty and grooming retailer seed funded by First Round in 2010. She served as Co-CEO at Birchbox for five years from conception and launch to growing the business to over a million monthly subscribers. She also raised over $70M in venture capital, expanded the business internationally and launched new businesses and channels like men’s and retail stores. Hayley oversaw key functions including marketing, operations, strategy and technology.
Before joining First Round's investment team I was a founder. My lessons learned, including the hard earned mistakes, inform my work as an investor today.
Founder market fit. Why are you the best person in the universe to build this business?
Post-investment I prefer to work with founders on their top of mind issues during working sessions and just in time conversations. The founders I work best with are data driven and creative, experts in their field but always looking to improve in the art of company building.
View the money you are raising as a budget to get questions answered. Which questions are top of mind for you?
I believe in the ability of technology and early stage startups to improve the world we live in. I seek out the possibilities for positive change and gravitate towards mission driven founders.
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