Discover our value-focused philosophy and unique venture ecosystem.
The LvlUp Ventures First Check Fund. 1,000 investments in 2026.
Discover LvlUp's unique venture debt / non-dilutive financing fund for B2B startups.
See how we're powering non-dilutive growth for pre-seed to growth-stage startups.
Learn how we're backing the next generation of e-commerce ecosystem technology.
A boutique program for founders with hands-on-support.
See how we're scaling the future of CPG brands.
Enabling non-dilutive growth for CPG startups.
A high-touch accelerator for founders building scalable consumer brands.
High-conviction capital. Strategic scale.
Supporting brick-and-mortar and service businesses with equity capital and financing.
Supporting brick-and-mortar and services businesses with non-dilutive growth.
Who we are, how we invest and how LvlUp has grown since 2023.
Meet our core, associate, and extended team powering the ecosystem.
Read articles from the LvlUp team, our VCs in residence, and guest contributors.
Learn more about our process and unique offerings for LPs.
Bringing LvlUp's capital, network, and operating infrastructure to Europe, from Paris.
Bringing LvlUp's capital, network, and operating infrastructure to the Middle East, from Dubai.
LvlUp Ventures backs founders from first check to late stage.
Apply for fundingBorn from, a simple, question. Why do electrolytes require mixing, measuring, or changing what you drink? We spent three years finding a better answer. The Problem, Electrolytes matter. Every athlete, traveler, patient, and professional knows it. But every existing solution asks something of you — mix this, dissolve that, drink this flavor instead. We thought there had to be a simpler way. The Breakthrough, After three years of R&D, we developed a microencapsulation process that embeds electrolytes directly into the straw wall. No mixing. No mess. No taste change. You just sip — and it works. The Straw, Our signature teal straw is the first product from the HydroCore platform. Patent-pending. Biodegradable. Built for everyone — from elite athletes to hospital patients to flight crews. The Platform, Hydration is just the beginning. HydroCore is building the world's first passive micro-delivery platform — using the straw as the mechanism for any ingestible wellness compound. Supplements, vitamins, and beyond are in development. Ashley Hurjak, CEO & FOUNDER, Ashley is a junior at Loyola Marymount University, double-majoring in Chemistry and Applied Physics. She started HydroCore after a simple question: why does staying hydrated have to mean powders, scoops, and sugary drinks? Fascinated by encapsulation — the science of sealing active ingredients inside tiny protective shells — she helped turn that idea into the microencapsulated HydroCore straw. Today she leads the company's vision, its product, and the science behind every straw. Built by the students, doing the research. Daniel Gostanian, CO-FOUNDER & COO, Daniel is a junior at Loyola Marymount University, studying Biology. He co-founded HydroCore to turn a promising lab idea into something people could reach for every day. As COO, he runs the day-to-day — sourcing materials, testing prototypes, and guiding HydroCore from a rough first straw to a finished, biodegradable product. He keeps the team focused, organized, and moving forward.
