Ben Lerer is a venture capital investor at Lerer Hippeau who spent over 10 years simultaneously running a high-growth media company while investing, giving him unusually current operating experience that shapes his practical, founder-focused approach. He helped build Lerer Hippeau into what he considers the leading early-stage firm in New York by backing breakout consumer brands like Warby Parker, Casper, and Glossier, and now uses that pattern recognition to focus on companies with real unfair advantages rather than just strong marketing. Ben Lerer is a venture capital investor at Lerer Hippeau who spent over 10 years simultaneously running a high-growth media company while investing, giving him unusually current operating experience that shapes his practical, founder-focused approach. He helped build Lerer Hippeau into what he considers the leading early-stage firm in New York by backing breakout consumer brands like Warby Parker, Casper, and Glossier, and now uses that pattern recognition to focus on companies with real unfair advantages rather than just strong marketing.