Hopelab

Hopelab is a social innovation lab and impact investor focused on advancing solutions that support, affirm, and empower young people, particularly those from historically underserved communities. Established in 2001 by Pam Omidyar, the organization operates as a 501(c)(3) private operating foundation based in San Francisco, California. Hopelab's mission is to improve health outcomes for young people by leveraging technology and research to address various health and social challenges.

The organization invests in and partners with founders who are committed to advancing the mental health and well-being of Black, Brown, Queer, low-income, and other underserved young people. Hopelab typically invests from Seed to Series A stages in companies demonstrating early evidence of product-market fit and efficacy. Their investment portfolio includes 25 active companies, with 75% of founders having lived experience among the communities they aim to serve. To date, Hopelab has deployed $13 million, serving 4.3 million youth, 87% of whom are BIPOC and 77% low-income.

In October 2025, Hopelab announced the appointment of Jaspal Sandhu, Ph.D., as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2026. Dr. Sandhu brings extensive experience in design innovation, social entrepreneurship, and health equity to the role. He succeeds Margaret Laws, who has led the organization for the past decade and will remain engaged as Executive in Residence. ([prnewswire.com](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hopelab-announces-jaspal-sandhu-phd-as-new-president-and-ceo-302581243.html?utm_source=openai))

Hopelab's approach combines behavioral psychology with socially aware design, working closely with academic researchers, design firms, and healthcare systems to develop science-based technologies that improve the health and well-being of teens and young adults. Their products include Re-Mission and Re-Mission 2, video games designed to improve cancer treatment adherence among young patients, and Zamzee, a game-based product that motivates children and families to be more physically active. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hopelab?utm_source=openai))