Melinda French Gates
InvestorFounderFounder at Pivotal Ventures · Founder at Gates Foundation
Seattle, Washington
FoundedGates Foundation
Find your path to Melinda
260 people in our graph share verified history with Melinda — schools, employers, funds. One of them is your warm intro.
About
Melinda French Gates is a philanthropist and businesswoman who founded and co-chaired the Gates Foundation, setting its direction for more than two decades before departing in June 2024. In 2015 she formed Pivotal, an organization she leads that works to advance women's power and influence through investments, philanthropy, partnerships, and advocacy. She holds a bachelor's degree in computer science and economics and an MBA from Duke University, and earlier spent about a decade developing multimedia products at Microsoft.
Invests in
FemTechFintechFuture of WorkHealthtechImpact & Social GoodSocial
Founder at Gates Foundation
Intro paths
In turn, Melinda can intro founders to Gates Foundation's investors below.
Gates Foundation's investors · 1
Co-founders at Gates Foundation
Experience
- PivotalFoundercurrent2015 — present
- Gates FoundationCo-Founder & Co-Chair2000 — 2024
- Duke UniversityBoard of Trustees Member1996 — 2003
- MicrosoftGeneral Manager of Information Products1987 — 1996
Deals · 31
Founders First Capital PartnersSolo GP
via Pivotal Ventures · filed Apr 2025
Summer HealthSolo GP
via Pivotal Ventures · filed Apr 2024
Basis SetSolo GP
via Pivotal Ventures · filed Feb 2024
Cake VenturesSolo GP
via Pivotal Ventures · filed Jan 2023
Chingona VenturesSolo GP
via Pivotal Ventures · filed May 2022
EllevestSolo GP
via Pivotal Ventures · filed Apr 2022
BBG VenturesSolo GP
via Pivotal Ventures
Construct CapitalSolo GP
via Pivotal Ventures
EarlySolo GP
via Pivotal Ventures
FemalefoundersfundSolo GP
via Pivotal Ventures
Forerunner VenturesSolo GP
via Pivotal Ventures
Huue BiosciencesSolo GP
via Pivotal Ventures
Lead Out CapitalSolo GP
via Pivotal Ventures
LittleotterhealthSolo GP
via Pivotal Ventures
Mon AmiSolo GP
via Pivotal Ventures
RethinkimpactSolo GP
via Pivotal Ventures
TiaSolo GP
via Pivotal Ventures
Ulu VenturesSolo GP
via Pivotal Ventures
Vesey VenturesSolo GP
via Pivotal Ventures
WebeeSolo GP
via Pivotal Ventures
CherryrockcapitalSolo GP
via Pivotal Ventures
DefinevcSolo GP
via Pivotal Ventures
DivergenthqSolo GP
via Pivotal Ventures
GrowthwarriorcapitalSolo GP
via Pivotal Ventures
GuidepadSolo GP
via Pivotal Ventures
ImpactamericafundSolo GP
via Pivotal Ventures
KalosventuresSolo GP
via Pivotal Ventures
MagnifySolo GP
via Pivotal Ventures
MillieSolo GP
via Pivotal Ventures
MonarchcollSolo GP
via Pivotal Ventures
PlaneteercapitalSolo GP
via Pivotal Ventures
Attribution from SEC filings, press coverage, and firm rosters. Some rows are inferred. Not right? Tell us.
Colleagues at Pivotal Ventures
Frequently asked questions
- Who is Melinda French Gates?
- Melinda French Gates is a philanthropist and businesswoman who founded and co-chaired the Gates Foundation, setting its direction for more than two decades before departing in June 2024. In 2015 she formed Pivotal, an organization she leads that works to advance women's power and influence through investments, philanthropy, partnerships, and advocacy. She holds a bachelor's degree in computer science and economics and an MBA from Duke University, and earlier spent about a decade developing multimedia products at Microsoft.
- Where does Melinda French Gates work?
- Melinda French Gates is Founder of Gates Foundation and Founder at Pivotal Ventures.
- What does Melinda French Gates invest in?
- Melinda French Gates invests in FemTech, Fintech, Future of Work, Healthtech, Impact & Social Good, Social.
- What companies did Melinda French Gates found?
- Melinda French Gates founded Gates Foundation.
- Where did Melinda French Gates go to school?
- Melinda French Gates studied at Duke University - The Fuqua School of Business (Master of Business Administration - MBA); Duke University (Bachelor of Science - BS, Computer Science).
Founder mafias
Duke University mafia287
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
+ 280 more
Duke University - The Fuqua School of Business mafia57
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
+ 50 more
Pivotal mafia19
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
+ 12 more
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation mafia14
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
+ 7 more
Gates Foundation mafia6
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Same school
Also attended Duke University - The Fuqua School of Business252
+ 246 more
Also attended Duke University820
+ 814 more
Shared employers
Also worked at Pivotal4
Also worked at Gates Foundation79
+ 73 more
Also worked at Duke University153
+ 147 more
Also worked at Microsoft1,852
+ 1,846 more