Can Venture Capital Change the World?

Ron Levin on Higher Purpose Venture Capital

In this video, AV Managing Partner Ron Levin discusses Higher Purpose Venture Capital, his new book on dynamic, socially-conscious entrepreneurs. Ron explains his inspiration behind the book and the role VC can play in addressing global poverty and societal challenges.

AllHere combines AI, behavioral science, and interactive nudges to foster attendance and engagement in K-12 education. It automates personalized, two-way text messaging with chatbots to improve attendance rates and guide students and families through school.

How We’re Involved

• $8 million Series A in 2021 led by Spero Ventures, with participation from SoftBank’s Opportunity Fund

AV Funds Invested in AllHere

• The Yard Ventures (for the Harvard community)
• Total Access Fund (our broadest, most diversified fund)

Aprende Institute is a leading online education platform for vocational training in LatAm and the U.S. Hispanic market, offering an array of online certifications and courses. The platform integrates digital media with instruction-led activities, helping employees and students improve their work skills, start their own businesses, or embark on new careers.

How We’re Involved

• $22 million Series A in 2021 led by Valor Capital Group, with participation from Univision

AV Funds Invested in Aprende

• Purple Arch Ventures (for the Northwestern community)
• Westwood Ventures (for the UCLA community)
• The Yard Ventures (for the Harvard community)
• Total Access Fund (our broadest, most diversified fund)

Boundless Immigration provides immigrants with tools, information, and personalized support to navigate the naturalization process. Its service provides new immigrants with access to an immigration lawyer and allows them to file critical paperwork online affordably.

How We’re Involved

• $25 million Series B in 2021 led by Foundry Group, with participation from Emerson Collective

AV Funds Invested in Boundless

• Congress Avenue Ventures (for the Texas Community)
• Green D Ventures (for the Dartmouth community)
• Westwood Ventures (for the UCLA community)
• The Yard Ventures (for the Harvard community)
• Total Access Fund (our broadest, most diversified fund)
• Syndication (opportunities for AV investors)

Fido is a digital lending platform aiming to serve the ~560 million Sub-Saharan Africans who can’t access basic financial services through traditional banks. Powered by machine learning, Fido makes small personal loans through instant credit decisions based solely on a user’s cell phone data. Its technology is entirely automated, highly scalable, and capable of detecting fraud.

How We’re Involved

• $30 million Series A in 2022 led by Fortissimo Capital

AV Funds Invested in Fido

• Lakeshore Ventures (for the UChicago community)
• The Yard Ventures (for the Harvard community)
• Total Access Fund (our broadest, most diversified fund)
• Syndication (opportunities for AV investors)

SoLo Funds is a peer-to-peer lending platform that relies on a user base of borrowers and lenders. Members lend money to other members to help them cover a bill, and then borrowers pay them back and add a voluntary tip as a sign of appreciation. SoLo Funds caters to people who aren’t typically eligible for traditional personal loans and often resort to expensive and predatory payday loans to cover cash gaps.

How We’re Involved

• $10 million Series A in 2021 led by ACME Capital, with participation from ​Techstars​ and Serena Williams’ VC fund

AV Funds Invested in SoLo Funds

• Towerview Ventures (for the Duke community)
• The Yard Ventures (for the Harvard community)
• Total Access Fund (our broadest, most diversified fund)