Michelson 20MM Foundation

About The Fund

The Michelson 20MM Foundation is a venture capital firm that primarily invests in the fields of education and human resources to promote impact. Their investment strategy is focused on providing equitable education and economic opportunities with a keen interest to activate humanity's full potential. The foundation operates on the core belief that equitable higher education and employment opportunities should be universally accessible. The foundation emphasizes research to produce and support findings that highlight crucial data, uplift underrepresented voices, and promote policy solutions that address the needs of marginalized communities. By providing funds through their Spark Grants platform, Pooled Funds, and Impact Investments, Michelson 20MM supports mission-aligned initiatives that aim to expand learning, workforce development, and employment opportunities. They invest anywhere between $25,000 and $300,000, with a sweet spot typically around $75,000, in pre-seed, seed, early-stage, and Series A funding rounds. Their focus areas include Smart Justice, Intellectual Property, Open Educational Resources, Student Basic Needs, and Digital Equity with special programs like the Pregnant and Parenting Student Initiative and initiatives aimed at digital equity in tribal communities. Michelson 20MM harnesses advocacy, education, and activation to drive systemic change and create better outcomes for historically underrepresented and underserved individuals. They also engage in strategies such as producing impactful research reports and hosting events that champion fair opportunities and highlight the unique challenges faced by specific student populations such as the state of pregnant and parenting students in California and pathways from prison to college for incarcerated women.