
Social Capital has been actively investing in venture capital, with a focus on early-stage companies. They have invested in over 200 companies, including Instacart, Stripe, and Wish.
Social Capital's investment activity has been driven by their goal of creating a more equitable and sustainable future. Their portfolio companies have collectively raised over $20 billion in funding.
One notable exit from their portfolio is the acquisition of Instacart by a consortium of investors.
Investments & Portfolio Companies
Social Capital has made 395 investments, with their latest being in Eridan as part of their Series B - II on September 09, 2024.
They have a significant portfolio of companies, with 75 exits so far. Their latest exit was Humi, acquired by Employment Hero on January 08, 2025, for an undisclosed valuation of $XXM.
Social Capital's portfolio includes companies like Perimeter Medical Imaging, which went public on July 10, 2020, after first being invested in on December 15, 2021. They also have companies like Box, which went public on January 23, 2015, after first being invested in on July 31, 2012.
Some notable acquisitions in their portfolio include Bitski, acquired by an undisclosed company on May 21, 2024, for $1.5M in seed funding. Remind was also acquired on November 29, 2023, for $3.5M in Series A funding.
Here are some of their notable portfolio companies and their acquisition dates:
Social Capital's portfolio is diverse, with companies in various stages of growth and funding. Their investments range from seed to Series C funding, with a total of $XXM invested across their portfolio.
Investment Activity
Social Capital has a diverse investment portfolio, with a significant focus on early-stage companies.
They have made a total of 395 investments, indicating their active involvement in the startup ecosystem.
The majority of these investments were made at the seed stage, with 106 investments in companies at this stage.
Here's a breakdown of Social Capital's investment activity by stage:
Their latest investment was in Eridan as part of their Series B - II on September 09, 2024, showcasing their ongoing commitment to supporting growing companies.
75 Portfolio Exits
Social Capital has had a remarkable 75 portfolio exits, with their latest exit being Humi, acquired by Employment Hero for an undisclosed valuation of $XXM in January 2025.
Their portfolio exits have been consistently high-profile, with notable acquisitions including Syapse and ClaimCompass.
One of the most impressive aspects of Social Capital's portfolio exits is the range of industries they've invested in. From healthcare with Syapse, to HR with Humi.
Here are some key statistics on Social Capital's portfolio exits:
It's worth noting that while the exact valuations of these acquisitions are not disclosed, they are likely to be in the millions of dollars.
1 Acquisition
Social Capital's acquisition activity is quite impressive. They acquired Hustle on August 18, 2020, in a debt investment.
The valuation of Hustle at the time of acquisition was a whopping $XXM. This significant investment was part of Social Capital's strategy to grow their portfolio.
The total funding for the acquisition was $42.5M, which is a substantial amount.
Acquired Companies
Social Capital has been quite active in the acquisition space, with a total of 75 portfolio exits. Their latest portfolio exit was Humi, acquired by Employment Hero for an undisclosed valuation in January 2025.
One notable example is the acquisition of Humi, a company that was acquired for an undisclosed valuation in January 2025. This is just one of the many exits that Social Capital has had in its portfolio.
Social Capital has also been involved in acquiring companies, with a total of 1 acquisition. Their latest acquisition was Hustle, a company that was acquired through a debt investment in August 2020.
Here are some of the acquired companies in Social Capital's portfolio:
Team Profile
Social Capital's team is made up of experienced professionals with a strong background in venture capital. Chamath Palihapitiya, a well-known figure in the industry, serves as a member of the team based in San Francisco.
The team has a diverse presence across different locations, with members based in San Francisco, Palo Alto, and Washington, DC. Brigette Lau is another team member, based in Palo Alto.
One notable aspect of the team is their involvement in other organizations. Chamath Palihapitiya is also a member of EZETA's board.
Fund History
Social Capital has a history of partnering with management teams to invest in various sectors.
The firm has a total of 9 fund histories, with the most recent one closing on May 30, 2019.
Natural Capital Discover I Series 1 is one of the funds, which closed on May 30, 2019, with an amount of $0.32 million.
Social Capital has also invested in several Social Capital Partnership funds, including Social Capital Partnership III, which closed on May 18, 2015, but the amount is not publicly disclosed due to subscription requirements.
Here's a breakdown of the Social Capital Partnership funds:
Social Capital's investment history is a testament to its commitment to partnering with management teams to drive growth in various sectors.
Venture Capital
Social Capital has made a significant number of investments, with a total of 395 deals under their belt.
Their latest investment was in Eridan as part of their Series B - II on September 09, 2024.
Venture Capital
Social Capital has made 395 investments, which is a significant number. They have been active in various stages of company growth, including seed, series A, series B, and others.
One notable aspect of Social Capital's investment strategy is their focus on seed-stage companies, with 106 investments in this category. They also invest in series A, series B, and series C rounds, with 74, 13, and 8 investments respectively.
Social Capital has a diverse portfolio, with companies listed on public exchanges, such as Perimeter Medical Imaging, which went public on July 10, 2020. They also invest in companies that have raised significant funding, like SurveyMonkey, which raised $250M in its series C round.
Here are some key statistics on Social Capital's co-investors:
- 1681 investors have co-invested in Social Capital's portfolio companies.
- 700 investors have entered a company along with Social Capital.
- Top co-investors include Graph Ventures (14 companies) and Tiger Global Management (6 companies).
Social Capital's co-investment network is extensive, with many prominent investors participating in their rounds. They also have a strong network of follow-on investors, including Tiger Global Management and General Catalyst.
Countries Invest In
The US is a top destination for venture capital investment, with many prominent VC firms like Sequoia Capital and Accel Partners having a strong presence.
Silicon Valley in the US is home to many successful startups that have received significant funding from VCs.
The UK is also a popular destination for VC investment, with many London-based startups receiving funding from top VC firms like Balderton Capital.
The UK government has implemented policies to support the growth of the startup ecosystem, such as the Enterprise Investment Scheme.
China has been investing heavily in VC, with many top VC firms like IDG Capital and Hillhouse Capital having a strong presence.
The Chinese government has also implemented policies to support the growth of the startup ecosystem, such as the Shanghai Free Trade Zone.
India has seen a surge in VC investment in recent years, with many top VC firms like Sequoia Capital and Accel Partners investing in Indian startups.
The Indian government has implemented policies to support the growth of the startup ecosystem, such as the Startup India initiative.
Acquisitions
Acquisitions are a crucial aspect of venture capital, and Social Capital is no exception. They have acquired several companies, with the latest being Hustle on August 18, 2020, in a debt investment.
Social Capital's acquisition history is diverse, with companies ranging from Bitski to Replicon. Bitski, a company they acquired on May 21, 2024, was first invested in on November 27, 2018, with a seed round of $1.5M.
One notable acquisition is Remind, which was acquired on November 29, 2023. Remind was first invested in on September 18, 2013, with a Series A round of $3.5M. This highlights the long-term commitment that venture capital firms like Social Capital make to their portfolio companies.
Here are some key statistics about Social Capital's acquisitions:
Overall, Social Capital's acquisitions demonstrate their commitment to supporting innovative companies and helping them grow and succeed.
VC = Financial
VCs offer financial capital to founders, but it's a commodity that can be obtained from various sources.
Financial capital from VCs is often accompanied by social capital, which is a valuable asset.
According to Marc Andressen from a16z, social capital is a bridge loan of credibility in advance of tangible evidence.
To be credible, social capital needs to be accompanied by financial capital, which clears up doubts about trustworthiness.
This is evident when fellow investors recommend a company to invest in – I ask if they've invested their own financial capital in the company.
Financial capital amplifies the value of social capital, making it a more effective asset.
Assessing and Utilizing
Founders should aim to get information around two key areas when assessing the social capital of an individual investor: how they've supported founders in the recent 12 months and how many founders or portfolio companies they're actively supporting currently.
Specificity in responses is a positive signal of a strong individual investor, so look for concrete examples beyond generic answers.
Individual investors who publicly stake their reputation on behalf of an early-stage, unproven portfolio company take on significantly more risk than those who promote established, already-successful companies.
This willingness to offer social capital is a valuable trait in an investor.
Founders can use social capital productively in several ways, including attracting talent, raising funds, and finding customers.
Here are some examples of how social capital can be used:
- Social capital to attract talent: VCs can help early-stage companies attract senior talent by sharing why they invest and providing assurance of stability.
- Social capital to raise funds: VCs know other VCs and can vouch for a company to another investor, saving extensive legwork.
- Social capital to find customers: Founders can identify potential introductions by crawling their investors' LinkedIn networks or experimenting with other methods like LinkedIn Lives or mentions in thought pieces.
Knowing the size of an investor's social capital portfolio also gives a sense of how much bandwidth is available for a founder, with the level of support varying significantly between being their 3rd founder vs. their 30th founder.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is investment in social capital?
Investing in social capital involves building relationships, trust, and productive social norms to create a stock of future benefits. By doing so, you can unlock the ability, capacity, and potential that comes with strong social connections.
Who is the owner of social capital?
Chamath Palihapitiya is the founder and CEO of Social Capital. He founded the venture capital firm in 2011 to invest in innovative companies in underserved industries.
What are the three types of venture capital funds?
Venture capital funds are categorized into seed capital, early-stage capital, and expansion-stage financing, each tailored to a business's maturity level. Understanding these stages is crucial for entrepreneurs and investors alike to navigate the venture capital landscape effectively.
Can I invest in social capital?
No, Social Capital is not open to third-party investors. If you're interested in learning more about investment opportunities, please explore our other options
Sources
- https://tracxn.com/d/venture-capital/social-capital/__uErivKHhZOjjjKH-4UTyhvd1j-mv0fxGLOZMZCw6Vl4
- https://techcrunch.com/2018/09/20/social-capital-will-no-longer-raise-outside-capital/
- https://www.cbinsights.com/investor/the-social-capital-partnership
- https://medium.com/saison-capital/social-capital-what-non-partner-vcs-can-bring-founders-f4a32f2ad94c
- https://www.wikiwand.com/en/articles/Social_Capital_(venture_capital)
Featured Images: pexels.com