Wisdom Ventures announced the final close of its oversubscribed $77.7 million Fund II, expanding the firm’s focus on early-stage startups building AI-powered technologies centered on health, wellness, resilience, and human connection.
The venture capital firm said the new fund will invest between $1 million and $5 million into approximately 40 early-stage companies developing technologies designed to improve human wellbeing at scale.
Fund II follows the deployment of Wisdom Ventures’ initial $10 million fund, which the company said has risen into the top quartile of early-stage venture funds since closing in 2022.
According to Wisdom Ventures, Fund I’s portfolio includes investments in OpenAI, Anthropic, and other startups focused on AI, health, and human flourishing initiatives.
The firm said Fund II’s limited partners include technology founders and investors such as Reid Hoffman, Evan Sharp, Stewart Butterfield, and Jen Rubio.
Wisdom Ventures also announced that former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy joined the firm as a Senior Venture Partner to advise on investments related to health and wellness technologies.
The firm said its investment strategy focuses on companies operating at the intersection of AI, healthcare, emotional resilience, mindfulness, and social connection.
Wisdom Ventures was founded in 2022 and is led by General Partners Bradley Horowitz, Cecily Mak, and Soren Gordhamer. The firm combines venture investing with what it describes as a “whole-founder” support model that includes meditation retreats and community-based founder programming.
The company said 74% of Fund I portfolio companies included founders from diverse race, gender, or sexual orientation backgrounds.
KEY QUOTES:
“In an era where AI is reshaping every facet of our lives, Wisdom Ventures’ mission of ensuring humanity’s wellbeing is as important as ever.”
Katharina Neubert, SVP Strategy & Investments, Holtzbrinck
“The health and well-being challenges we face require more than traditional interventions, they demand a fundamental shift in how we build and interact with technology. I am proud to join Wisdom Ventures to back founders who are designing the next generation of technology to foster genuine human connection, support physical and mental health, and cultivate long-term resilience.”
Dr. Vivek Murthy, Senior Venture Partner, Wisdom Ventures
“Building at the intersection of AI and health requires investors who understand that technology must be designed with human values at its core. The team at Wisdom is an invaluable partner, offering a rare combination of diverse, applicable expertise and a profound commitment to human flourishing.”
Fidji Simo, Co-Founder, ChronicleBio
