Union Square Ventures

Union Square Ventures, launched in 2004 by Fred Wilson and Brad Burnham, is the venture capital equivalent of a Hollywood producer who always backs the next big blockbuster. Known for its uncanny knack for sniffing out tech darlings before they become mainstream obsessions, this firm’s portfolio reads like a Silicon Valley who's who. They were early investors in Twitter, Tumblr and Kickstarter—proof that they’ve got a sixth sense for finding startups that could either become the next big thing or crash spectacularly. Their defining moment? Probably the stratospheric success of their initial bets, which has seen their valuation soar to a comfortable $1 billion plus. Awards and accolades? They have more than they can shake a term sheet at, but it’s not all been smooth sailing. There have been the usual hiccups—misfires, market shifts, and the occasional highly-publicized flop. Fred Wilson, the firm’s colorful co-founder, is often quoted extolling the virtues of "network effects" and "game-changing innovation," while navigating the choppy waters of venture capitalism with a mix of swagger and savvy. Union Square Ventures remains a titan in the VC realm, with enough hits and controversies to keep their name in the headlines.