ESG has been part of HV's practice since 2019 as a way of thinking about what makes companies durable. Understanding material risks early, designing around them, building the operating discipline that holds up under scrutiny: these are the things that matter to customers, future investors, and the talent a company needs to scale. We encourage founders to think this way from the start.

ESG frameworks designed for public markets do not translate cleanly to early-stage companies. HV's approach is more direct: we encourage founders to focus on what is actually material to their business, share tools and benchmarks drawn from the portfolio, and give specific, data-driven feedback rather than generic guidance. Over time, this has extended into public affairs: many of the companies we back operate in sectors where the rules are still being written, and engaging with that landscape is part of building companies that endure. The goal is stronger businesses, not better reports.

ESG in venture is no longer a niche conversation. HV has contributed to its development as active members of Reframe Venture, the practitioner community that develops and shares ESG best practices across the VC industry. We also support Included VC, which works to broaden the diversity of the talent pipeline into venture itself. Both are shaping what the industry looks like from the inside.