TLDR:
- Pablos Holman started venture capital fund Deep Future to back ambitious inventors solving big problems.
- Deep Future’s investments include solar panels on satellites, mining landfills for gold, and purifying toxic fumes.
Pablos Holman, a scientist who previously worked for Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates, has transitioned into venture capital funding through his venture fund Deep Future. This fund, established less than two years ago, focuses on supporting ambitious inventors working on innovative solutions to significant challenges. Holman’s background includes working at Blue Origin and inventing a pocket-sized personal computer, indicating his expertise in groundbreaking technologies. Deep Future’s investments, while seemingly farfetched, aim to address pressing issues such as waste and environmental sustainability.
Deep Future’s first fund closed with $17 million and has made pre-seed investments in 14 startups, with plans to expand its portfolio to 75 companies. Holman emphasizes the importance of returns in their investments, highlighting the balance between innovation and financial sustainability. The fund’s unique approach to evaluating risk prioritizes technological advancements over market uncertainties, with a focus on developing cost-effective solutions within a reasonable timeline.
Deep Future’s investments, such as Descycle’s non-toxic chemical for gold extraction from electronics, demonstrate the fund’s commitment to addressing critical environmental issues. While attracting investors with a science background has been relatively straightforward, Holman acknowledges the challenge of convincing non-technical investors about the value of their moonshot projects. The fund’s focus on solving complex problems and advancing scientific breakthroughs appeals to investors like Alfred Steiner, who see the potential for impactful innovation beyond financial gains.
