About Pivotal

Pivotal Ventures is an investment and incubation company created by Melinda French Gates to advance social progress in the United States, enabling better lives for more people.

They believe that every individual should have an equal opportunity to improve their life and the lives of others. Equality is a precondition for social progress, but equality alone is not enough. While everyone may one day have the same access to opportunities, many will continue to confront political, cultural and institutional obstacles simply because of who they are. They envision a world where all individuals have a chance to contribute, participate, and live a better life. Which is why they're pushing for a more equitable country—one that works for everyone, equally, because at Pivotal, they believe removing the barriers that hold people back improves life for all.

Their Work

They support partners advancing progress for women and families in the United States. Their strategies are guided by data, experts and those with lived experience in our focus areas. They use both philanthropic and investment capital to fund transformational ideas, people and organizations.

They take two approaches to investment:

They Seed Innovation
They believe transformational ideas come from everywhere. They invest in early-stage, untested or provocative approaches that create a path to impact at scale.

They Advance the Field
They support emerging and existing leaders, build capacity and drive alignment toward common goals.