One Planet Group

One Planet Group is a private equity firm founded in 2015 that owns and operates a diverse suite of technology, media, and hospitality businesses while investing in innovative, tech-enabled early-stage companies. Its mission centers on supporting strong business ideas aligned with a broader ethos of improving society and giving back to communities, emphasizing values such as diversity, inclusion, unity, and service to humanity. The firm focuses on sectors including future mobility, education technology, health technology, environmental solutions, ad tech, lead generation, performance marketing, publishing, and media production. One Planet Group aims to foster sustainable, impactful businesses that combine financial success with positive social impact, thereby influencing the startup ecosystem by backing entrepreneurs committed to meaningful innovation and societal betterment[1][2][4].

Founded and led by Payam Zamani, One Planet Group has grown to employ around 98 people and generated $47.6 million in revenue as of 2024. Its portfolio includes companies like Buyerlink, Autoweb, California.com, and One Planet Studios, alongside non-profit initiatives such as BahaiTeachings.com. The firm’s investment philosophy integrates “Innovation + Intention,” reflecting a commitment to long-term engagement with portfolio companies through consultation, action, and reflection. This approach supports entrepreneurs in scaling their ideas into sustainable businesses that align with ethical and community-focused principles[1][2][4].

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Origin Story

One Planet Group was founded in 2015 by Payam Zamani, whose vision is deeply influenced by the principles of the Baha’i Faith, emphasizing unity, service, and social betterment. The firm evolved from a focus on owning and operating technology and media businesses to actively investing in early-stage companies that embody innovation with intention. Zamani’s background and values have shaped the firm’s mission to not only pursue profitable ventures but also to foster enterprises that contribute positively to society. Early traction came from building a portfolio of diverse businesses across ad tech, publishing, and media, which laid the foundation for its broader investment activities in emerging tech sectors[1][4].

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Core Differentiators

• Unique Investment Model: Combines ownership of operating businesses with active investment in early-stage companies, emphasizing long-term partnership and value alignment rather than short-term financial gains.
• Network Strength: Leverages a diverse portfolio spanning multiple industries, including technology, media, and hospitality, providing cross-sector insights and synergies.
• Track Record: Demonstrated growth with $47.6 million in revenue and a portfolio of established companies alongside emerging startups.
• Operating Support: Provides deep engagement through consultation, action, and reflection, supporting entrepreneurs beyond capital with strategic guidance and ethical alignment.
• Ethos-Driven Approach: Integrates social impact and community betterment into investment decisions, promoting diversity, inclusion, and service to humanity as core values.

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Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

One Planet Group rides the growing trend of impact-driven investing combined with technology innovation. The timing aligns with increasing market and societal demand for businesses that deliver both financial returns and positive social/environmental outcomes. Market forces such as the rise of mobility tech, health tech, education improvements, and environmental solutions favor their investment focus. By fostering companies that integrate innovation with intention, One Planet Group influences the broader ecosystem by encouraging startups to embed ethical and community-oriented values into their business models, thus shaping a more responsible and sustainable tech landscape[2][4].

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Quick Take & Future Outlook

Looking ahead, One Planet Group is poised to deepen its impact by expanding investments in high-growth, tech-enabled sectors that address critical global challenges like mobility, health, education, and the environment. Trends such as digital transformation, sustainability, and socially responsible entrepreneurship will likely shape their journey. Their influence may evolve from primarily owning and investing in businesses to becoming a leading advocate for integrating ethical frameworks within venture capital and private equity. This trajectory reinforces their founding mission of aligning innovation with intention to create lasting positive change in the world[2][4].

This forward-looking vision ties back to One Planet Group’s core ethos: that successful businesses must also serve humanity and the planet, making them a distinctive player in the private equity and venture capital landscape.