Wisdom Ventures, an early-stage VC firm focused on technology that supports human wellbeing, announced today a $16M first close for its Fund II. The new fund builds on the momentum of Wisdom’s $10 million debut fund, which backed early leaders like OpenAI, Anthropic, Function Health, Rec, Hume, and Opal.
The firm says it plans to invest Fund II in startups that integrate emotional intelligence, human-centered design, and scalable wellbeing infrastructure. Typical checks will range from $1 million to $5 million, with a goal of supporting roughly 35 mission-driven founders.
“We’re at a pivotal moment where technology must support our humanity, not replace it,” said Cecily Mak, General Partner at Wisdom Ventures.
The firm’s approach is a mix of classic venture discipline and founder-first values. Fund I deployed capital across 38 startups spanning digital health, emotionally intelligent AI, childhood wellbeing, and workplace empowerment. According to Wisdom, 74% of its portfolio companies have diverse founding teams, and six of its seven top performers are led by women.
Wisdom also goes beyond the check. Its founders participate in meditation retreats, monthly check-ins, and community-driven programs meant to support emotional resilience, an area the firm sees as critical to long-term founder success.
“Fund II arrives at a watershed moment when technology can either drive the improvement or decline of the human condition,” Mak said. “Our mission is to make sure it improves it.”
A values-led approach to early-stage investing
Wisdom Ventures is led by a three-partner team blending tech experience with mindfulness roots:
- Bradley Horowitz, former VP of Product at Google and early investor in companies like Slack and Medium.
- Cecily Mak, former CBO of Flipboard and long-time advisor to mission-aligned startups.
- Soren Gordhamer, founder of the Wisdom 2.0 conference and a pioneer in the intersection of mindfulness and tech.
The firm’s thesis is that the next wave of category-defining companies will combine cutting-edge technology with a deep understanding of human needs, especially as AI reshapes everything from productivity to health.
“Investing in innovation designed to enhance human wellbeing can generate both exceptional returns and meaningful societal impact,” said Ho Nam, Managing Director at Altos Ventures and an LP in both Wisdom funds.
Fund II signals a growing interest in venture capital that looks beyond pure financial upside. Wisdom Ventures is betting that building more emotionally intelligent companies isn’t just good ethics, it’s good business.
