menlo labs

We Build Around Big Ideas

about

Menlo Labs Helps Talented Builders Start Exceptional Companies

If you’re a builder aspiring to create an iconic company in a large and important sector, Menlo Labs is the place for you. Here, you’ll have the full support of our specialized Labs team and Menlo Ventures’ investment partners as you build a high-confidence path toward solving a significant, unmet need. We provide market insights, customer discovery expertise, and operational experience, while you lead the execution. Together, this collaboration is where the magic happens.

View our companies

How We Work and Invest

01

Ideation

<1 year. Any concept we pursue must solve a precise problem affecting a large population. We only move forward knowing that a sizable market opportunity exists, allowing us to launch the business

with precision.

02

Validation

2-6 months. We work with founders to develop product roadmaps, organizational plans, go-to-market strategies, and budgets.

03

Execution

12-18 months. We assemble the founding team, recruit the early employees, and stand up the back office with our “startup ops in a box.”

 

How We Work With Founders

  • 01

    Pick a big problem

    Great companies solve important problems for A LOT of customers. In collaboration with Menlo’s investment team that is constantly evaluating the best private companies, we ensure you zero in on a problem worth solving.

  • 02

    Validate the need

    No business plan survives first customers. Our validation experts embrace a structured customer discovery process, transforming hypotheses into demonstrated customer needs through primary research with end users. Our vast network of investors, portfolio companies, industry experts and research resources accelerates the process.

  • 03

    Identify a wedge

    Finding product-market fit is the hardest part of any startup journey. Our team helps you quickly explore and test a range of mission-aligned MVPs with target customers, increasing the odds  that “when you build it, they will come.”

  • 04

    Build your team

    All great startups require the efforts of world-class teammates and collaborators. Our talent team and recruiter network help you identify and attract world-class co-founders and early team members.

  • 05

    Land first customers

    To really test, iterate on, and scale an idea, you need customers. We work closely with you to land your first set of customers, ensuring you’re set up for success.

Our Companies

Built from scratch, built to scale.

Alcove
Alcove is a procurement management platform for interior designers, increasing efficiency and productivity so they can focus on creating beautiful spaces.

Milestones

  • 2020 – Co-founded
  • 2022 – Partnered, Seed

Leadership

Valeria Albino
Founder & CEO
Jake Hall
Co-Founder & CTO
Paige Green
Co-Founder & CPO

Partners

Alma
Alma is reimagining nutrition tracking by combining AI with an intuitive experience, transforming how people approach nutrition and healthy eating.

Milestones

  • 2024 – Incubated
  • 2024 – Seed

Leadership

Rami Alhamad
Founder & CEO
Squint
Squint is the leading manufacturing intelligence platform for capturing tribal knowledge, enforcing standard work, and analyzing rich insights—all on a platform operators love.

Milestones

  • 2021 – Co-founded
  • 2022 – Pre-Seed

Leadership

Devin Bhushan
Founder & CEO
Dylan Conway
Founding Product Lead
Jim Zhu
Founding Engineering Lead

Partners

WorkUp
WorkUp is a talent pipeline management tool to help the healthcare system solve the clinical workforce shortage.

Milestones

  • 2022 – Co-founded
  • 2023 – Partnered, Seed

Leadership

Zachary Fleitman
Founder & CEO

Partners

Who We Are

greg_rudin-HEADSHOT

Greg Rudin

GM, Menlo Labs
Shawn Carolan headshot

Shawn Carolan

Partner
AIConsumerFintech

Michelle Aguinis

Head of Strategy & Operations, Menlo Labs
Dan Birmingham headshot

Dan Birmingham

Associate
Ryan Hand headshot

Ryan Hand

Head of Insights
ian_odonnell-HEADSHOT

Ian O’Donnell

Director of Validation, Menlo Labs
Menlo Fellows event

Menlo Fellowship

The Menlo Fellowship is designed for ambitious founders ready to take the first steps toward building a great company. This unique program provides expert guidance, a powerful network, and a collaborative community to help you navigate the early stages of entrepreneurship with confidence.
Learn more