Obvious Ventures is a San Francisco based venture capital firm co founded by Evan Williams, Vishal Vasishth, and James Joaquin. Since 2014, the firm has invested in startups building solutions for planetary health, human health, and economic health. Obvious is known for backing science driven companies early, supporting founders working on ambitious technologies and mission aligned innovation.
Fund V closed at 360,360,360 dollars in January 2026, continuing Obvious Ventures’ tradition of mathematically meaningful fund sizes. The number reflects the firm’s 360 degree view across its three core pillars: planetary health, human health, and economic health. Now twelve years into its journey, Obvious plans to invest roughly 10 times per year from this vehicle, with checks ranging from 5 million to 12 million dollars into seed and Series A companies.
Fund V keeps the firm intentionally sized so that a single breakout company can return the fund, a discipline reinforced by past outcomes such as Planet Labs and Recursion Pharmaceuticals.
Obvious reports meaningful distributions across its previous funds and maintains a portfolio with several public market successes. The new fund is aimed at early stage companies operating at the frontiers of math, science, and engineering, with a bias for technical founders building systems level innovations.
Leadership
The firm is led by managing director James Joaquin and co founder Vishal Vasishth, with Evan Williams serving as adviser. Obvious operates with a small, senior investment team focused on deep engagement with founders.
Investment Strategy
Obvious invests early in founders building solutions with large scale impact. The firm looks for scientific and technical breakthroughs that can shift how society generates energy, produces food, maintains health, or runs essential industries. The team backs companies with mission clarity, long term resilience, and the potential to become public market leaders. Obvious supports founders through active involvement, helping them refine strategy, navigate early scaling, and shape durable business models.
Notable Investments
Portfolio highlights include:
Notable Exits
Planet Labs (public via SPAC), Recursion Pharmaceuticals (public).
Other
Obvious focuses on durability rather than hype. The firm prefers technically rigorous teams and system level innovation, even when markets remain early or undefined. Founders should expect a hands on partner who values mission alignment and long horizon company building.
United States
