Innovation Endeavors

Innovation Endeavors is an early-stage venture capital firm dedicated to investing in what it terms the "Super Evolution." This approach focuses on non-linear innovation to address significant global challenges. The firm partners with technical founders who are tackling complex engineering and scientific problems with the aim of transforming large industries. Their investment thesis is built upon the convergence of three key technological advancements: ubiquitous physical-world sensors providing high-resolution data, breakthroughs in machine learning and distributed computing, and advancements in engineering, robotics, 3D printing, and CRISPR. This convergence, they believe, accelerates experimentation and progress, creating unprecedented opportunities for impactful change.

The firm was founded in 2010 by Eric Schmidt, former CEO of Google, and Dror Berman. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, Innovation Endeavors seeks to convene top talent and foster a "prepared mind" through deep, thesis-driven research. They are committed partners, often taking board seats and striving to be highly active directors in their portfolio companies. The firm typically invests between $1 million and $15 million in initial seed and Series A opportunities, and also incubates small teams with promising ideas.

Innovation Endeavors' investment focus spans several critical areas, including Intelligent Software, Computing Infrastructure, the Physical Economy, and Engineering Health. Their portfolio reflects this broad yet deeply technical approach, featuring companies such as Planet (satellite data), AlphaSense (market intelligence), Afresh (AI for fresh food), Gatik (autonomous logistics), Atom Computing (quantum computing), Eikon Therapeutics (computational biology), and Plenty (vertical farming). The firm has also invested in companies across sectors like cybersecurity, digital health, and advanced manufacturing, demonstrating a commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology to solve real-world problems.

The team at Innovation Endeavors comprises a diverse group of scientists, entrepreneurs, engineers, academics, and creatives. Key team members include founding partners Dror Berman, Scott Brady, Rick Scanlon, and Eric Schmidt, alongside general partners Harpinder (Harpi) Singh and Davis Treybig. The firm emphasizes a culture of curiosity, experimentation, and collaboration, aiming to provide comprehensive support and a robust ecosystem for its community of entrepreneurs.