"When Obvious Ventures launched 12 years ago with a focus on "world positive" companies, the idea was a contrarian bet: that startups tackling climate, health, and economic resilience could deliver big returns, not just feel-good impact. Founded by Twitter cofounder Ev Williams and others, the firm backed companies like Beyond Meat, the AI drug discovery company Recursion Pharmaceuticals, and Diamond Foundry, which makes sustainable lab-grown diamonds."
""We started with this basic idea that the biggest companies of our time are going to be those that solve the world's biggest problems," Beebe says. Some people misunderstood it as "impact investing" that would only have concessionary returns. But Obvious was thinking differently: the thesis was that solving global challenges could drive financial success. Over time, as Obvious Ventures had early successes with companies like Beyond Meat, a growing number of investors moved in the same direction."
Obvious Ventures was founded to back "world positive" companies that tackle climate, health, and economic resilience with the expectation of strong financial returns. Early investments included Beyond Meat, Recursion Pharmaceuticals, and Diamond Foundry, demonstrating commercial potential alongside impact. As those early successes emerged, other venture firms adopted similar language and moved into the space, helping mainstream mission-driven investing. Despite anti-climate policy from the Trump administration and some investor pullback, Obvious closed its fifth fund at $360,360,360 and remains committed to doubling down on startups that address large global challenges.
Read at Fast Company
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