Fundraising Fox

Melinda French Gates

Investor

Founder at Pivotal Ventures

Seattle, Washington

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

Experience

  1. PivotalFoundercurrent2015 — present
  2. Gates FoundationCo-Founder & Co-Chair2000 — 2024
  3. Duke UniversityBoard of Trustees Member1996 — 2003
  4. MicrosoftGeneral Manager of Information Products1987 — 1996

Education

  1. Duke University - The Fuqua School of BusinessMaster of Business Administration - MBA
  2. Duke UniversityBachelor of Science - BS, Computer Science

Deals · 31

Founders First Capital PartnersSolo GP

via Pivotal Ventures · filed Apr 2025

Basis SetSolo GP

via Pivotal Ventures

BBG VenturesSolo GP

via Pivotal Ventures

Chingona VenturesSolo GP

via Pivotal Ventures

EllevestSolo GP

via Pivotal Ventures

FemalefoundersfundSolo GP

via Pivotal Ventures

Forerunner VenturesSolo GP

via Pivotal Ventures

HuueSolo GP

via Pivotal Ventures

LittleotterhealthSolo GP

via Pivotal Ventures

Mon AmiSolo GP

via Pivotal Ventures

RethinkimpactSolo GP

via Pivotal Ventures

Summer HealthSolo 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

Cake VenturesSolo GP

via Pivotal Ventures

CherryrockcapitalSolo GP

via Pivotal Ventures

ConstructcapSolo GP

via Pivotal Ventures

DefinevcSolo GP

via Pivotal Ventures

DivergenthqSolo GP

via Pivotal Ventures

EarlySolo GP

via Pivotal Ventures

GrowthwarriorcapitalSolo GP

via Pivotal Ventures

GuidepadSolo GP

via Pivotal Ventures

ImpactamericafundSolo GP

via Pivotal Ventures

KalosventuresSolo GP

via Pivotal Ventures

Lead Out CapitalSolo 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

John Sage
CEO at Pivotal Ventures

Frequently asked questions

Where does Melinda French Gates work?
Melinda French Gates is 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.

Founder mafias

Duke University mafia125

Also came through, then founded or led a company.

Fred EhrsamB.S.Founded CoinbaseDavid CummingsBSFounded Undaunted +4Romesh SubramanianM.S.Founded RaNA Therapeutics +2Ian PeikonBSEFounded Cajal Therapeutics +1Carmichael RobertsDoctor of Philosophy (PhD) 1995Founded Lyratherapeutics +1Steve SemelsbergerMBAFounded YouEarnedIt +1

+ 118 more

Duke University - The Fuqua School of Business mafia18

Also came through, then founded or led a company.

Corinna ChenMBAFounded Tierra Biosciences +1Lawrence GentilelloMaster of Business Administration (M.B.A.)Founded Optery +1Guy SnirMaster of Business Administration (MBA)Founded Nest Genomics +1Luke RoushMBA (Global Program)Founded 410 MedicalSidney McLaurinMaster of Business Administration (MBA)Founded Fleet RoboticsDoug BrownMaster of Business Administration (MBA)Founded Affordable Care

+ 11 more

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation mafia8

Also came through, then founded or led a company.

Ankur JainInternshipFounded Kairos +3Jon WangMachine Learning ResearchFounded Shimmer +1Robert PaullAdvisorFounded Genocea BiosciencesNemil DalalConsultant, Financial Services for the PoorFounded DreamforgeLukas LangeBiotech advisorFounded Probably GeneticBenjamin FernandesMBA Associate - Digital Foundation and Financial ServicesFounded NALA

+ 1 more

Same school

Also attended Duke University - The Fuqua School of Business174

Dave BlivinMANAGING PARTNER at Cottonwood Technology FundVinnie McSweeneyInvestor at OpenView Venture PartnersBrooke BalcomBoard Member at CincyTechChad L. SummeBoard Member at CincyTechMatias BarberoVenture Partner at FJ LabsTracie RotterPartner, Platform at Lux Capital

+ 168 more

Also attended Duke University499

Fred EhrsamCo-founder and Senior Advisor at Paradigm; founder of NudgeJeremy LevinePartner at Bessemer Venture PartnersJulie YangVice President at InvestcorpScott RaneyManaging Director at Redpoint VenturesJack Bixby LucasGeneral Partner at Lucas Venture GroupVinnie McSweeneyInvestor at OpenView Venture Partners

+ 493 more

Shared employers

Also worked at Pivotal4

Emily LibrescoHead of Marketing & Communications at Lerer HippeauJulie WroblewskiCo-Founder & Managing Partner at Magnify VenturesJohn SageCEO at Pivotal VenturesLisa MarroneInvestor at Pivotal bioVenture Partners

Also worked at Gates Foundation56

Gülsah WilkeInvestor at DN CapitalRobert PaullCo-Founder and Venture Partner at Lux CapitalBill GatesFounder at Breakthrough Energy VenturesKarl Ilias AuerspergInvestment Analyst at C5 CapitalJulie WroblewskiCo-Founder & Managing Partner at Magnify VenturesArunan SkandarajahExecutives in Residence at GENERAL INCEPTION

+ 50 more

Also worked at Duke University81

Fred EhrsamCo-founder and Senior Advisor at Paradigm; founder of NudgePae WuGeneral Partner at SOSVAkshita IyerCorporate Insights Lead at Tech Square VenturesMichael BrannanSr. Associate at Volition CapitalPaige MorschauserHead of Operations at Red Cell IncubationEvan HenleyAssociate, Investments at Capital One Ventures

+ 75 more

Also worked at Microsoft1,064

Reid HoffmanCo-founder of LinkedIn; Partner at GreylockGarry TanPresident & CEO of Y CombinatorNat FriedmanCo-lead of Meta Superintelligence Labs; co-founder of NFDGJavier SolteroSenior Venture Partner at Felicis VenturesViviana FagaGeneral Partner at Felicis VenturesWesley ChanInvestor at Felicis Ventures

+ 1,058 more