Higher Ground Labs

Higher Ground Labs is a venture capital firm and ecosystem builder investing in technology for political progress. They invest in and support companies that advance political progress from pre-seed to exit. Their mission is to bridge technology and politics by supporting startups building technology that helps candidates win. They provide capital, assistance, programming, and mentorship to talented individuals and early-stage companies building the next generation of progressive political technology. Their programming includes an active accelerator for companies building scalable political technology, fellowships that allow individuals to explore ideas for solutions to problems, a recurring summit for political and technology experts to forge alliances and share ideas, and ad hoc events like conferences and hackathons that deepen and reinforce the ecosystem. Since 2017, Higher Ground Labs has built an enduring platform for technological experimentation and iteration, investing in dozens of companies, many of which have become integral components of political tech for the Left. In 2020 alone, their companies reached 7,500 campaigns and 70 million voters. They have deployed over $50 million across four funds since 2017 and have supported over 65 startups. Their portfolio includes companies like Grow Progress, BallotReady, and Oath, which have contributed to significant advancements in political technology and voter engagement. Higher Ground Labs is a diverse team of expert investors, startup operators, and political advisors dedicated to the mission of saving democracy. They hold themselves to high standards of rigor, quality, accountability, timeliness, and responsiveness, and value integrity, treating all members of their community with respect, honesty, dignity, and support. They believe in curiosity, always seeking to learn, grow, and innovate, and challenge existing assumptions to foster trial and error, value-educated risks, and trust in the vision and potential of their portfolio companies. Their values include excellence, integrity, and curiosity, guiding their investment approach and interactions with the political tech ecosystem. They are committed to ensuring candidates are using the right technology to run the best campaigns possible, and their work focuses on three key areas: discovery, transformation, and scale & sustain. They unite movement leaders, technologists, and strategic partners to build lasting solutions for progressive campaigns and organizations, shaping the future of progressive technology.