# Eric & Wendy Schmidt Fund for Strategic Innovation

Eric & Wendy Schmidt Fund for Strategic Innovation is an Endowment / Foundation based in Palo Alto, United States.

## Overview

- **Organization type:** Endowment / Foundation
- **Headquarters:** Palo Alto, United States
- **Region:** North America
- **Address:** 555 Bryant St # 374, Palo Alto, CA, United States
- **Founded:** 2014
- **Assets under management:** Undisclosed

## Regulatory record

- **Reports private funds:** No

## About

Eric Schmidt and Wendy Schmidt launched the foundation in 2014. It operates as a 501(c)(3) private foundation focused on grantmaking in science, technology, and related policy areas. The foundation pursues venture commitments alongside its grant programs. Confirmed positions include limited partner roles in ROAI, VotingWorks, and Cloudline through Schmidt Sciences. Geographic reach covers the United States and South Africa. Asset classes include venture capital, direct holdings in operating companies, and public equity positions such as QQQ and IEF ETFs held via Juniper Hill Capital Management. The entity maintains a team that supports both philanthropic and operating activities. Additional offices exist in Arlington, Virginia for the Special Competitive Studies Project. Adjacent vehicles include Schmidt Futures, established in 2017, and the Schmidt Ocean Institute, established in 2009. In May 2024 the foundation sponsored the AI+ Expo for National Competitiveness in Washington, D.C. A structural distinction lies in the full ownership of policy and research subsidiaries such as the Special Competitive Studies Project and Schmidt Sciences. These entities sit inside the foundation rather than as separate external grantees, creating a hybrid grant-and-operate model uncommon among standard family foundations.

## Sectors

- Philanthropy
- ClimateTech
- AI/ML

## Offices

- Arlington, VA, United States

## People

- Eric Schmidt — Founder
- Wendy Schmidt — Founder

## Questions

### Who runs investment decisions at the Eric & Wendy Schmidt Fund for Strategic Innovation?

Eric Schmidt and Wendy Schmidt serve as founders. Day-to-day management occurs through Hillspire LLC with investment advisory support from Juniper Hill Capital Management.

### Does the foundation participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?

It holds limited partner positions in external startups including ROAI, VotingWorks, and Cloudline via Schmidt Sciences. It also maintains 100 percent ownership of operating subsidiaries.

### What investment stages does the foundation typically target?

Activity centers on early-stage venture commitments in technology and science companies alongside direct ownership of research and policy entities.

### How is the foundation related to Schmidt Sciences and the Special Competitive Studies Project?

Both entities are wholly owned subsidiaries. Schmidt Sciences handles science-focused venture and grant programs; the Special Competitive Studies Project addresses technology policy.

### What is the foundation's known posture on co-investments alongside external GPs?

It has partnered with the Rhodes Trust on the Rise program and maintains relationships with NVIDIA on AI workforce initiatives.

## Related profiles

- [ENPAPI](https://altss.com/profile/enpapi-ente-nazionale-di-previdenza-e-assistenza-della-professione-infermieristica)
- [The Annenberg Foundation](https://altss.com/profile/the-annenberg-foundation)

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Last updated: 2026-07-06T00:33:11.792Z

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