First Round Capital

Hayley Barna

Partner

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.

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Notable Investments

Mirror, Alma, Thirty Madison, Squad, Studs, Collective Retreats, Anvyl, Clare, The Lobby

Questions & Answers

Origin Story: In a couple sentences, how would you describe your path to becoming an investor?

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.

Investment Approach: What are the key factors you consider when evaluating a founding team?

Founder market fit. Why are you the best person in the universe to build this business?

What's your style and approach when it comes to working with founders post-investment? What are the characteristics of founders you've worked well with?

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.

If I'm coming to pitch to you or your firm, what's the one piece of advice you'd give me?

View the money you are raising as a budget to get questions answered. Which questions are top of mind for you?

How would you describe your own personal mission and values, and how do they impact the way you invest?

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.