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Julie Hanna is a Venture Partner at Obvious Ventures, Executive Chair of the Board at Kiva, and a Special Advisor to Alphabet's X. She previously served as the founding Vice President of Product and Marketing at Portola Communications and held the same title at onebox.com, an internet messaging system acquired for $850 million in 1999. Under her leadership at Kiva, the peer-to-peer lending platform has crowdfunded nearly $1.5 billion to support three million micro-entrepreneurs across 80 countries while maintaining a 97% repayment rate. As an early-stage investor, Hanna backed prominent technology companies including Lyft, Lending Club, Return Path, and Bonobos prior to its acquisition by Walmart. Recognized as a LinkedIn Influencer, she co-authored a publication on the disruption of traditional banking with Reid Hoffman, reflecting her ongoing focus on democratizing access to capital and advising purpose-driven startups.
Julie Hanna stands out as a prominent Venture Partner at Obvious Ventures, a firm dedicated to backing "World Positive" companies that achieve both substantial profit and meaningful purpose. In her role, Hanna leverages her extensive experience to identify and nurture startups poised to make a significant impact across various sectors. Her investment thesis at Obvious Ventures centers on scalable solutions that address critical global challenges, often exploring areas such as fintech innovation, the evolving future of work, advancements in health and wellness, and the development of sustainable systems.
Hanna's career trajectory is marked by a unique blend of entrepreneurial spirit and executive leadership. Before joining Obvious Ventures, she made a profound mark as the co-founder of Kiva, the pioneering peer-to-peer micro-lending platform that has facilitated billions in loans to entrepreneurs worldwide. Her vision at Kiva demonstrated how technology could democratize access to capital and empower underserved communities on a global scale. Prior to Kiva, Hanna held key executive positions, including a significant role at OpenTable, where she contributed to scaling one of the internet’s most successful consumer services. This diverse background provides her with a deep understanding of both startup challenges and the complexities of scaling successful ventures.
Beyond her operational and investment roles, Julie Hanna has been a vocal advocate for entrepreneurship and social innovation. She served as a Presidential Ambassador for Global Entrepreneurship (PAGE) under President Barack Obama, advising on policies to foster entrepreneurship and economic growth globally. This experience underscores her commitment to creating ecosystems where innovative ideas can flourish and contribute to a better world. Her involvement extends to various boards, where she guides companies towards achieving their dual goals of financial success and positive societal contribution.
At Obvious Ventures, Julie Hanna continues to seek out founders who are not just building businesses, but are also crafting solutions to pressing global issues. Her approach is characterized by a hands-on partnership with entrepreneurs, offering strategic guidance derived from her own journey as a founder and leader. She is particularly interested in companies that utilize technology to create more equitable access, foster greater efficiency, and promote sustainability across industries. Through her work, Hanna exemplifies the firm's mission to invest in companies that are not only profitable but also inherently good for the world. Her influence helps shape a new generation of businesses that prioritize both financial returns and measurable positive impact.
Julie Hanna is a distinguished Venture Partner at Obvious Ventures, known for her leadership in "World Positive" investing. She is also recognized as the co-founder of Kiva and a former executive at OpenTable, bringing extensive entrepreneurial and executive experience to her role.
Julie Hanna invests in "World Positive" companies through Obvious Ventures, focusing on businesses that generate both significant financial returns and positive societal impact. Her investment areas typically include fintech, the future of work, health, and sustainable systems.
Julie Hanna works as a Venture Partner at Obvious Ventures, a venture capital firm dedicated to investing in companies that combine profit with purpose to create a better world.
