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Obvious Ventures
Obvious is an early-stage venture capital firm backing visionary leaders building breakthrough solutions to the world's biggest problems. It invests...
Obvious Ventures
Obvious is an early-stage venture capital firm backing visionary leaders building breakthrough solutions to the world's biggest problems. It invests thematically across planetary health, human health, and economic health. The firm was founded on a simple belief that the most valuable companies of our time will be the ones scaling these solutions and moving capitalism from scarcity to abundance.
General information
Firm type
Venture Capital
Year founded
2014
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
San Francisco
Corporate office
190 Pacific Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94111
Principals
James Joaquin
Co-Founder & Managing Director
Vishal Vasishth
Co-Founder & Managing Director
Andrew Beebe
Managing Director
Kahini Shah
Partner
Rohan Ganesh
Partner
Mo Islam
Partner
Ev Williams
Co-Founder
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
What does Obvious Ventures mean by 'world positive' investing?
The firm defines three pillars—planetary health, human health, and economic health—as its sole investment lanes. Every portfolio company must map to at least one of these themes. In practice, this means the firm invests in climate technology, digital health, and fintech platforms aimed at individual and small-business economic empowerment. The thesis is embedded in the firm's brand identity and structuring of capital vehicles, including the Obvious 360 Fund.
What investment stages does Obvious Ventures target?
The firm's strategy spans seed, early-stage, growth, and expansion or late-stage venture. It also has capacity for co-investment and complex situations, according to its own characterization. This flexible mandate allows it to support companies from formation through public listing, as demonstrated by Beyond Meat's 2019 IPO.
How is Obvious Ventures structured relative to a typical venture capital firm?
Structurally, it is an asset manager operating a venture capital strategy, but its differentiation lies in the binding thematic mandate. Unlike firms that apply ESG filters alongside a generalist strategy, Obvious requires companies to fit its 'world positive' framework as a condition of investment. The firm also cultivates an operating partner network called 'Champions' to support portfolio companies.
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
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