Startups
Hopelab
San Francisco, California, United States
Hopelab Foundation Inc. is a San Francisco nonprofit social-innovation institution and impact investor working at the intersection of technology, behavioral science and youth mental health. Founded by Pam Omidyar, it conducts youth-engaged research, funds community-centered initiatives and invests in companies improving the well-being of adolescents and young adults, with particular attention to Black, Brown, Queer and underserved communities. Its early Re-Mission video-game research addressed treatment adherence among young people with cancer. The current Ventures program combines financial investment with research, design and strategic support; its own site reports 28 active companies and USD20M deployed, which is cumulative deployment rather than an LP fund closing or an individual company allocation. Its current published portfolio includes pediatric mental-health provider Healthy Young Minds, Blackbird Health, AI crisis-response training company ReflexAI and several digital behavioral-health companies. Jaspal Sandhu is the current president and CEO; Margaret Laws, CEO from 2015 to 2025, is now executive in residence. The public directory names 32 staff, founder and board members, all included in this profile. Its grantmaking and institutional operating finances are distinct from venture fund raises, and no external-LP fund close has been established. Hopelab is associated with The Omidyar Group; that network association does not establish a separate parent investment ticket.
Team
 Aliza LopezCommunications & Policy Assistant |
 Alyssa GabbidonResearch Assistant |
 Amy GreenHead of Research |
 Arianna TaboadaDirector of Learning & Impact |
 Arielle GeismarBoard Member |
 Brian RodriguezHead of People & Culture |
 Courtney ChangHead of Strategy |
 David BaynePolicy Director |
 Elisa SimsAccounting Manager |
 Emma Bruehlman-SenecalPrincipal Researcher |
 Emma LeikenDirector, Youth Power |
 Erin SietstraHead of Investments |
 Jana HaritatosChief Science & Innovation Officer |
 Jaspal SandhuPresident and CEO |
 Joshua LavraPrincipal |
 Juan MartinezVice President, Strategic Communications & Policy |
 Julie TinkerPrincipal |
 Kim BrightVice President, Finance and Operations |
 Margaret LawsExecutive-in-Residence |
 Melina TaylorDirector of Information Technology |
 Mike ParentPrincipal Researcher |
 Monique JaquezEmployee Experience & Office Manager |
 Nathaan DemersPrincipal Investor |
 Pam OmidyarFounder |
 Phuong PhamDirector, Communications & Narrative Change |
 Robin HayashiCreative Lead |
 Robin RaskobSenior Manager, Media and Editorial |
 Sabrina FisherDirector of Finance |
 Samira PingaliPrincipal |
 Stefano BertozziBoard Chair |
 Tracey KiruiChief of Staff and Strategic Partnerships |
 Wizdom PowellBoard Member |
Investments
| $14M2024-05-07 |  Backpack Healthcare | PACE Healthcare Capital, ECMC Group, Techstars, Bridge Builders Collaborative, Portland Seed Fund, Hopelab, Rethink Education, Maya Ghosn Bichara, Jeffrey Walker, Collab Capital, Genius Guild, Unlikely Collaborators |
| $—Unknown date |  Healthy Young Minds | Howdy Partners, Hopelab |
| $—Unknown date |  Blackbird Health | Tom Peterson, Hopelab |
| $—Unknown date |  Sonar Mental Health | Impact America Fund, Hopelab |