Investing at Pivotal Ventures

Launched in 2015 by Melinda Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Pivotal Ventures is an investment and incubation company. The company aims to support and promote transformational ideas, people and organizations, and advance social progress for women and families in the U.S. Hoping to leverage and expand her expertise in mission-driven investing, Erin Harkless Moore (HBS 2012) recently took on the role of new Director of Investments in Pivotal Ventures. As the company prepares for the new phase of growth that would improve its position in the Venture Capital (VC) market, Harkless Moore is tasked to select the next VC fund that Pivotal Ventures would participate in as an investor. Which VC fund would allow Pivotal Ventures to support more diversity in VC investing? Should she change the scoring and review process that ultimately led the decision of which opportunity to invest in? How could Pivotal Ventures perform well and generate high returns while staying in line with its organizational goals?