Approach

Our model is based on understanding people. We work backwards from meaningful business outcomes, and find the human element that will unlock mutual value.

We employ Design Thinking methods, from global design firm IDEO, blended with operationally-scaled mechanisms practiced by companies like Amazon AWS and hyper-growth lean methods used by startups like Figma.

Team

GENERAL Partner

Benjamin Gadbaw

Opendoor was my first startup investment (2014) which grew100x over 6 years with an IPO in 2020. Since then I’ve shared cap tables with fund managers like Naval Ravikant and Jason Calacanis, Venture Capital firms including Khosla and Benchmark, and am active in founder syndicates including with Sahil Lavingia.

I’ve been an operator for 8 yeas leading R&D in startups (WeWork and Figma), NGO (National Bureau of Asian Research), as a consultant (IDEO), and in enterprise (Amazon AWS).

My formal training in human sciences (BS, Neuroscience & Behavioral Biology) and design (MFA, Interaction Design) give me a unique advantage investing in private markets.

I’m happiest when working side by side with founders on tough business-critical experience challenges.

Education

EMORY UNIVERSITY
B.S. Neuroscience & Behavioral Biology

School of Visual Arts
M.F.A. Interaction Design

Publications

• Becoming a Design Entrepreneur by Stephen Heller
• Validating Product Ideas by Tomer Sharon

Speaking

• Building a Learning Organization, WeWork, New York City - 2018
• Mapping UX Strategy to Business Value, IDG World, Soul, South Kora - 2014