Company Overview
Obvious Ventures is a pioneering venture capital firm established in 2014, headquartered at 190 Pacific Avenue, San Francisco, California. As a Certified B Corporation, Obvious Ventures is dedicated to investing in startups that aim to redefine trillion-dollar industries using innovative technologies that prioritize environmental and social betterment. The firm integrates substantial entrepreneurial experience with capital to support purpose-driven startups, combining profit with sustainability.
Investment Focus
Obvious Ventures is guided by a mission to support entrepreneurs through three primary investment pillars:
1. Planetary Health: Focuses on revolutionizing industrial systems to enhance safety, efficiency, and move towards a carbon-neutral economy.
2. Human Health: Aims to reinvent healthcare, food, and consumer goods segments to promote healthier lifestyles through personalized care and innovative wellness products.
3. Economic Health: Seeks to transform financial services and productivity systems to empower individuals and small businesses, facilitating financial health and success.
Key Team Members
- Ev Williams, Co-Founder: Known for co-founding major tech platforms like Twitter, Blogger, and Medium, Williams leads investments in disruptive industry leaders at Obvious Ventures.
- James Joaquin, Co-Founder and Managing Director: Joaquin is instrumental in the firm's investments in sectors such as advanced materials and plant-based proteins, including companies like Beyond Meat and Diamond Foundry.
- Vishal Vasishth, Co-Founder and Managing Director: Vasishth concentrates on investments in values-driven founders that enhance healthcare outcomes through transformative practices.
- Andrew Beebe, Managing Director: Specializes in partnering with entrepreneurs to develop companies focused on decarbonizing the global economy.
Portfolio and Achievements
Obvious Ventures has made impactful investments in startups that are set to disrupt their respective industries. It has significantly contributed to the success and growth of companies like Beyond Meat and Diamond Foundry, promoting the fusion of innovative technologies with scalable business models to resolve systemic issues profitably.
Online Presence and Contact
- Website: [Obvious Ventures](https://obvious.com/)
- LinkedIn: [Obvious Ventures LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/obvious-ventures)
- Social Media: Active on platforms such as X ([@obviousvc](https://x.com/obviousvc?lang=en)), sharing investment philosophies and updates about the firm.
For media inquiries, contact: pr@obvious.com. Obvious Ventures is enthusiastic about engaging with innovative thought leaders and welcomes new investment opportunities through its online platforms and networking channels.
Competitor Overview
Obvious Ventures operates in a competitive landscape with several other prominent venture capital firms. Key competitors include:
- Andreessen Horowitz (a16z): A major venture capital firm with $45 billion in committed capital, known for stage-agnostic investments across multiple technology sectors. Headquartered in Menlo Park, California, it has a strong network of industry experts.
- Benchmark Capital: Established in 1995, it is known for its unique partner structure where profits are equally shared. Benchmark has made successful investments in companies like eBay and Uber, focusing on early-stage companies in sectors such as mobile and enterprise software.
- First Round Capital: A seed-stage venture firm founded in 2004. Based in San Francisco, it emphasizes community-building among technology entrepreneurs and has aided enterprises like Uber and Square from their inception.
- Alumni Ventures: Recognized as a "Top 20 Venture Firm," it offers professionally managed, diversified portfolios for accredited investors, leveraging a vast network of over 750,000 community members with significant investments in technology sectors.
- Kleiner Perkins: Founded in 1972, headquartered in Menlo Park, California, Kleiner Perkins has invested in groundbreaking companies such as Amazon and Google, focusing on digital, life sciences, and healthcare industries.
Operational Insights
Obvious Ventures maintains a team of approximately 33 employees and generates an annual revenue of $3.4 million. The firm prioritizes investments with a positive environmental and societal impact, aligning with its core mission to support transformative companies focused on creating a healthier, more sustainable world. It maintains a strong emphasis on early-stage, impactful innovation, mirrored in its strategic portfolio choices and investment methodology. By grasping the competitive landscape and Obvious Ventures' strategic foci, stakeholders and potential partners can better align with its vision and operational approach.
