Whether you're curious about venture building, our process, or how we work with partners, this FAQ page is here to help you get the clarity you need.
How are IP and equity split?
In the case of a spinout, IP is assigned to the new venture; equity is negotiated upfront and generally shared between the corporate partner, Highline Beta and the founding team, with founder‑friendly caps and future funding needs in mind.
How long does a typical venture‑build take?
The process is typically done in several stages, including Discover (2-3 months), Validate (2-3 months), Build & Pilot (3-6+ months). Ultimately it takes 7-12 months to validate and build the right product, get traction and have confidence in the direction that’s being pursued.
What commitment do corporate partners need to make?
Expect a dedicated champion, subject‑matter experts for pilots, and a co‑investment budget. We work in a few different ways with partners, depending on what’s necessary. Some corporate partners want to be very involved in the process, learning along the way, in other cases they’re more hands off. An initial engagement is typically 3 months to conduct validation work and determine if there’s a venture opportunity worth pursuing.
Why co‑build with Highline Beta instead of developing internally?
We bring startup speed, seasoned builders and venture funding, allowing corporations to test new markets without disrupting their core business, while sharing in the upside of a separate, investable entity. Not all co-builds lead to spin-outs. In some cases, we work with corporate partners who retain full ownership of the ventures that are being co-created.
What is venture building at Highline Beta?
Venture building is our hands-on process of ideating, validating, funding and launching new startups alongside corporate partners and founders, turning strategic problems into independent, high‑growth companies. When venture building we may spin-out new startups with corporate partners or family offices, which have independent cap tables and governance structures. Or, we’ll build ventures that are wholly owned by our partners. To learn more, visit our page on venture building.
What is a vertical venture studio?
A vertical venture studio takes all the same foundations of the venture studio model, but focused on a very specific market segment, the narrower the better. This strategy is intended to create focus and leverage, ultimately leading to the ongoing building and funding of great companies through a repeatable go-to-market strategy and business model. For example, Highline Beta has launched two vertical venture studios to-date: Highline Beta DentalTech and Highline Beta ETH.
How many portfolio companies does Highline Beta have?
We currently have 20+ portfolio companies, see more detail on them here.
How is Highline Beta’s model different from accelerators or incubators?
Accelerators provide short‑term programming; Highline Beta embeds builders until the venture secures product‑market fit and outside capital, acting as a true co-founder rather than simply a mentor.
What is a venture studio?
A venture studio repeatedly builds and funds startups and new ventures. Often venture studios work on their own ideas and provide shared infrastructure, while taking an equity stake in each company. Highline Beta works on its own ideas, but also collaborates with corporate partners, family offices and others to validate ideas and build new businesses.
What industries do you focus on?
Historically we have been sector‑agnostic but most active in fintech & insurtech, sustainability & logistics, and health & wellness. In March 2025, we announced Highline Beta 3.0, which is our renewed strategy focusing on Vertical Venture Studios, which are industry specific, and currently have studios in the DentalTech and Ethereum spaces.
Do you follow on in later rounds?
On occasion we’ll invest at Series A, but typically we invest up to the seed round.
What cheque sizes and stages do you target?
Initial cheques range from USD $150k to $250k at the pre‑seed stage, with follow‑on in the seed round and possibly beyond.
Does Highline Beta invest its own capital?
Yes, we invest at pre‑seed and seed with follow‑on capacity and the ability to syndicate larger rounds from our investor network.
How do I reach Highline Beta to find out more information or to submit press inquiries?
You can reach out to us using our contact form.
Where can I find Highline Beta’s latest insights?
Explore the News & Views hub for articles, whitepapers, event recaps and the “Beyond the Core” podcast.
What qualities do you look for in team members?
Entrepreneurial bias to action, comfort with ambiguity and the ability to work with both scrappy startups and Fortune 500 partners.
Are you hiring?
Open roles are posted on our Careers page. We also contract specialists in product, design and growth for venture projects.
Where are you based?
Headquartered in Toronto with team members across Canada and the U.S., operating virtually and on‑site with partners worldwide. Most of our corporate partners are U.S.-based companies, often with a global presence.
Who founded Highline Beta?
Highline Beta was co‑founded by Ben Yoskovitz and Marcus Daniels, serial entrepreneurs and early‑stage investors.
