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Social Capital is a technology holding company founded by Chamath Palihapitiya in 2011, based in Palo Alto, California. Initially established as a traditional venture capital firm, Social Capital ceased accepting outside capital in 2018 and transitioned to a holding company model, investing from its own permanent balance sheet, which currently stands at approximately $2.1 billion in assets under management (AUM).
Palihapitiya is the sole remaining investing partner, effectively positioning Social Capital as a 'technology Berkshire Hathaway.' The firm has a history of significant investments in transformative technologies and has evolved its strategy to focus on long-term, impactful ventures. Notable milestones include the launch of the 8090 incubator, which aims to rebuild enterprise software using artificial intelligence at a significantly reduced cost.
Social Capital invests in a range of sectors, including artificial intelligence (AI), clean energy, defense, and decentralized finance. The firm operates from a permanent capital model, allowing it to make investments without the constraints typically associated with traditional venture capital funds. Check sizes range from $5 million to $100 million, with a focus on seed, Series A, Series B, and growth equity stages.
Current investment themes include AI inference technologies, exemplified by their investment in Groq, and clean energy solutions, highlighted by their backing of Palmetto. The firm also emphasizes the commercialization of frontier technologies to address significant global challenges, making it an appealing partner for startups in these sectors.
Social Capital has a diverse portfolio that includes both historical and current investments. Notable historical portfolio companies include:
In the SPAC arena, Social Capital's portfolio includes:
Current investments feature:
Additionally, Social Capital has launched a new SPAC, American Exceptionalism Acquisition Corp., which raised $345 million and is listed on the NYSE as of September 2025.
Chamath Palihapitiya - Founder and CEO. Palihapitiya has a notable background in venture capital and technology, having previously worked at Facebook and as a partner at The Social+Capital Partnership. He is recognized for his contrarian investment approach and has led significant investments in various transformative technology companies.
To pitch Social Capital, founders should send their pitch deck to inbox@socialcapital.com. The deck should include a comprehensive overview of the business, market analysis, and financial projections. Response times may vary, but founders can expect to hear back within a few weeks. Warm introductions are beneficial but not mandatory.
Social Capital operates the 8090 incubator, which focuses on rebuilding enterprise software using AI at a significantly reduced cost. This program is designed for startups looking to innovate in the software space. Eligibility criteria and application details can be obtained by contacting the firm directly.
On September 1, 2025, Social Capital made its latest investment, continuing its focus on transformational technologies. The firm has also launched the American Exceptionalism Acquisition Corp., which raised $345 million and is set to target sectors such as energy, AI, and defense.
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What are Social Capital's investment criteria?
Social Capital focuses on transformational technology investments across sectors such as AI, clean energy, and decentralized finance. They invest from their permanent capital, allowing for flexibility in deal structures.
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How can startups apply or pitch to Social Capital?
Startups can pitch to Social Capital by emailing their pitch deck to inbox@socialcapital.com. It is advisable to include detailed information about the business model, market opportunity, and team.
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What makes Social Capital different from traditional VC firms?
Social Capital operates with a permanent capital model, which means they do not face the same pressures as traditional VC firms regarding fund lifecycles or LP-driven timelines. This allows for a long-term investment perspective.
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What is the geographic scope of Social Capital's investments?
Social Capital primarily invests in North America, focusing on companies that are addressing significant global challenges through technology.
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What is the typical check size for investments?
Social Capital typically invests between $5 million and $100 million in their portfolio companies.
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