Loading organizations...
Loading organizations...
Social Starts is a venture capital partnership that invests in companies focusing on emerging science.
Social Starts is an early-stage venture capital fund employing a data-driven methodology to identify and invest in promising companies. The firm applies a scientific approach to uncover robust startups within high-growth market segments, currently emphasizing the "Health and Happiness" sector. This strategy targets businesses dedicated to enhancing human longevity and well-being through rigorous research.
The fund was established in 2012 by William Lohse, an industry veteran whose venture investing began in 2010. Lohse founded the firm on the insight of applying structured, data-informed analysis to early-stage opportunities. Managing Partner Mike Edelhart and the team contribute extensive experience from tech, shaping the firm’s analytical framework.
Social Starts partners with startups developing innovative solutions within its core focus areas. The firm’s vision is to capitalize on significant market opportunities by transforming human experiences through its investment strategy. It fosters a supportive ecosystem for its portfolio, offering strategic connections and insights from its experienced team and network.
Key people at Social Starts.
Social Starts is a venture capital partnership founded in 2012 that specializes in early-stage investments in companies leveraging emerging science and technology, particularly in the domains of health, happiness, and digital transformation. The firm’s mission is to identify and support startups at the moment of inception or Series A, using a data-driven methodology to uncover high-potential ventures. Social Starts focuses on sectors such as e-commerce, employment platforms, digital brands, next-generation food, education, and—most notably—health and longevity. Its current flagship fund, Social Starts Health and Happiness, targets startups that aim to improve quality of life and extend human longevity.
With over 540 investments and nearly 100 exits, Social Starts has established itself as a significant player in the early-stage ecosystem, particularly for companies that blend social, mobile, and scientific innovation. The firm’s impact is felt across North America and select international markets, where it helps founders navigate the critical early years of company building.
---
Social Starts was founded in 2012 in San Francisco, California, by a group of venture capitalists and operators with deep experience in technology and healthcare. The firm was built on the belief that data analytics could unlock superior investment outcomes by identifying startups with strong traction, innovative models, and scalable potential at the earliest stages. Over time, Social Starts evolved from a generalist early-stage investor to a specialist in health and happiness, recognizing the growing convergence of technology and well-being.
The firm’s leadership has a track record of leading over 50 investments, primarily in North America and Europe, and has cultivated a reputation for high-touch, thoughtful analysis and rapid decision-making. Its evolution reflects broader shifts in the venture landscape, where scientific innovation—especially in health tech, AI, and digital wellness—has become a central driver of value creation.
---
---
Social Starts is riding the wave of digital transformation and scientific innovation, particularly in health tech and wellness. The timing is critical: as global demand for personalized health solutions, remote work platforms, and digital brands accelerates, startups in these spaces are attracting unprecedented attention and capital. Social Starts’ focus on emerging science—especially in longevity, mental health, and AI-driven diagnostics—positions it to capture value from these macro trends.
The firm’s influence extends beyond capital: by supporting early-stage founders with data-driven insights and operational support, Social Starts helps shape the trajectory of entire sectors. Its investments in companies like Epic! (education), Stratifyd (AI analytics), and Grovo (digital learning) exemplify its ability to back ventures that redefine their industries.
---
Looking ahead, Social Starts is poised to deepen its impact in the health and happiness sector, as scientific breakthroughs and digital adoption continue to reshape how people live and work. The firm’s data-driven approach will likely become even more valuable as the volume and complexity of startup data grow. Trends like AI-powered health diagnostics, personalized wellness, and digital therapeutics will shape the next wave of investments.
Social Starts’ influence may expand beyond North America as global health innovation accelerates, and its model could inspire other funds to adopt more analytical, science-focused strategies. As the line between technology and biology blurs, Social Starts will remain a key player in backing the startups that are building the future of human well-being.
In a world where science and technology are increasingly intertwined, Social Starts stands out as a venture partner that not only funds innovation but helps define it.
Key people at Social Starts.
