HearstLab
Hearst
A strategic corporate venture fund backed by Hearst that invests in early-stage, women-led technology startups.
HearstLab at a glance
| Part of | Hearst |
|---|---|
| Address | 300 West 57th Street, NY, NY 10019 |
| Programmes | 2 standing programmes |
| Official website | www.hearstlab.com |
| HearstLab@hearst.com |
Track record
What HearstLab reports about its portfolio.
All figures self-reported — hearstlab.com, as of Oct 2026.
Programmes they run
Standing programmes at HearstLab, separate from the funding calls above.
A strategic corporate venture fund that invests in early-stage, women-led technology startups.
Best for: Women-led, tech-enabled startups at Seed or Series A, strategically connected to Hearst.
With Hearst
What you get, who can apply and how to applyHide details
HearstLab invests in Seed and Series A-stage companies that are women-led, tech-enabled and strategically connected to Hearst. Beyond the investment, the team provides hands-on support and access to the wider Hearst network.
What you get
- Hands-on support from the in-house team across legal, sales, marketing, finance, fundraising and engineering.
- A founder community with mentorship and workshops from industry experts.
- In-person access to office space around the world, including the Hearst Tower in New York, and the Hearst scout network.
Who can apply
- A female founder who is a decision maker, with equal or majority of founder equity.
- Primarily B2B or B2B2C business models with a working product and demonstrated market validation.
- Companies that align with Hearst's core expertise.
How selection works: companies are assessed against the criteria above. Physical-product, therapeutics and medical-device businesses are excluded.
How to apply: female founders can apply at any time throughout the year, through the route for the US, Europe, Japan or the GCC. Questions go to HearstLab@hearst.com.
Pitch HearstLab events
ProgrammePitch competitions and industry collaborations that spotlight women founders.
Best for: Women founders, investors and industry leaders.
What you get, who can apply and how to applyHide details
HearstLab hosts pitch competitions and strategic collaborations with industry partners for women founders. Past sessions are listed on the events page, and visitors can sign up to be notified of future events.
Labs & facilities
Equipment and space on campus.
office space
Access via Hearst
In-person access to office space around the world, including the Hearst Tower in New York.
Support services
Help offered alongside funding and space.
Legal & finance
Access to Hearst's legal team, plus financial modelling, unit economics review and warm investor introductions.
Business advisory
Business development, marketing, data and operations, and product and engineering support from the in-house team.
How to apply to HearstLab
Choosing this route
- Only women-led, tech-enabled companies with a working product are considered.
- Physical-product, therapeutics and medical-device businesses are excluded.
- Founders based in India are not on the listed application routes.
How applications work
- Female founders can apply at any time throughout the year.
- Use the route for your region: US, Europe, Japan or the GCC.
- Send questions to HearstLab@hearst.com.
How selection works
- Companies are assessed against three tests: women-led, tech-enabled, and strategically connected to Hearst.
About HearstLab
HearstLab is a strategic corporate venture fund backed by Hearst, one of the largest information, services and media companies in the world. It invests in early-stage, women-led technology startups, with partner teams in several countries. Its listed application routes are the US, Europe, Japan and the GCC. India is not among them, so founders based in India should check the criteria before they apply.
How the fund works
HearstLab invests in Seed and Series A-stage companies across enterprise technology, data and analytics, fintech, healthcare, media and transportation. It describes itself as mission-focused, with the aim of closing the gap in venture capital funding for women. Unlike a traditional venture firm or incubator, it takes a founder-first, long-term view of helping founders build sustainable and profitable businesses.
Support and access
The in-house team supports founders across business development, marketing, data and operations, product and engineering, finance and fundraising, and legal. Business development covers warm introductions and go-to-market planning. Finance covers financial modelling, unit economics and warm investor introductions. Legal draws on Hearst's own legal team. The full support list is limited to US-based companies, and international companies receive support adapted to their location.
The founder community connects women founders, with mentorship and workshops from industry experts. Founders also get in-person access to office space around the world, including the Hearst Tower in New York. The scout network brings women executives from across Hearst businesses into founders' work.
Who can apply
A company must be women-led. The criteria page sets the test as a female founder who is a decision maker with equal or majority of founder equity. The portfolio page describes its companies as exclusively women-owned and led. Both are stated, so read the criteria before applying.
The company must also be tech-enabled, meaning primarily B2B or B2B2C business models with a working product and demonstrated market validation. It must be strategically connected to Hearst, solving a problem that fits Hearst's core expertise.
HearstLab does not invest in companies that manufacture or sell a physical product, or in companies developing therapeutics, medical devices or Software as a Medical Device.
Events
The Pitch HearstLab events are pitch competitions and industry collaborations that spotlight women founders. Past sessions are listed on the events page, and visitors can sign up to be notified of future ones.
Where it runs
The listed application routes are the US, Europe, Japan and the GCC. Partner teams are in the Netherlands, Spain, the UK, Saudi Arabia and Japan. Questions can be sent to HearstLab@hearst.com.
Get in touch
Send a message to HearstLab — we'll forward it on your behalf.
Who they work with
Stage
Frequently asked questions about HearstLab
What does HearstLab do?
HearstLab is a strategic corporate venture fund backed by Hearst, one of the largest information, services and media companies in the world. It invests in early-stage, women-led technology startups, with partner teams in several countries. Its listed application routes are the US, Europe, Japan and the GCC.
Where is HearstLab located?
HearstLab is located at 300 West 57th Street, NY, NY 10019.
What programs does HearstLab run?
HearstLab runs HearstLab investment and Pitch HearstLab events.
What stage of startup does HearstLab support?
HearstLab supports startups at the Early Revenue, Validation and Growth stages.
What facilities does HearstLab offer?
Incubatees also get access to office space through its host institution.
How do I apply to HearstLab?
- Only women-led, tech-enabled companies with a working product are considered. - Physical-product, therapeutics and medical-device businesses are excluded. - Founders based in India are not on the listed application routes. - Female founders can apply at any time throughout the year. - Use the route for your region: US, Europe, Japan or the GCC. - Send questions to HearstLab@hearst.com.
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