Updated:
Schmidt Futures
Eric Schmidt committed $1B to launch Schmidt Futures in 2017, operating as an applied-research accelerator with direct government access.
Schmidt Futures
Schmidt Futures invests in technology, scientific knowledge, and shared prosperity initiatives. The firm has made 17 investments, including a February 2024 grant to Climate Policy Radar. Portfolio exits include Beam, which exited on February 3, 2026.
General information
Firm type
Foundation
Year founded
2017
AUM
Undisclosed
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Washington
Corporate office
Washington, DC, United States
Additional offices
New York, NY · London, UK
Principals
Eric Schmidt
Co-Founder
Wendy Schmidt
Co-Founder
James Manyika
Board Member
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at Schmidt Futures?
Schmidt Futures is not a for-profit investment vehicle; it disburses philanthropic grants rather than making market-rate investments. Programmatic and funding decisions are driven by the co-founders, Eric and Wendy Schmidt, working with senior leadership including board member James Manyika. The organization does not have a traditional investment committee allocating to external funds.
How is Schmidt Futures structured relative to the family's other philanthropic entities?
The Schmidt family's giving operates through several distinct vehicles. Schmidt Futures focuses on science, technology, and talent; the Schmidt Family Foundation concentrates on environmental sustainability; Schmidt Ocean Institute operates marine research vessels; and Schmidt Sciences runs additional research programs. Each maintains separate governance and program budgets, though they share a common origin in Eric and Wendy Schmidt's wealth.
Does Schmidt Futures take equity positions or make venture investments?
No. Schmidt Futures functions exclusively as a philanthropic grantmaker and program operator, not as a venture capital fund or impact investor. Eric Schmidt maintains a separate family office, Hillspire, for his for-profit venture and real estate activities.
Where does the underlying wealth come from?
The wealth funding Schmidt Futures derives primarily from Eric Schmidt's equity compensation and stock appreciation during his 14-year executive career at Google, where he served as CEO from 2001 to 2011 and Executive Chairman until 2015. This is public record.
Can institutional co-investors or partners collaborate with Schmidt Futures?
Schmidt Futures regularly co-funds initiatives with universities, government agencies, and other foundations. The Schmidt Science Fellows program partners with the Rhodes Trust, and AI2050 collaborated with academic institutions globally. Prospective institutional partners typically engage through formal programmatic channels rather than pooled investment structures.
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.
Need institutional-grade insight on endowments & foundations?
Altss delivers:
Prefer a guided tour?
We’ll walk you through: