Reimagining Capitalism with Purpose: Vishal Vasishth on Obvious Ventures and the Future of Health
In a Fireside Chat with StartUp Health community members, Obvious Ventures Co-founder & Managing Director Vishal Vasishth shares why the most valuable companies of tomorrow will be those solving humanity’s greatest challenges.
What happens when venture capital prioritizes purpose alongside profit? That’s the question at the heart of a Fireside Chat featuring Vishal Vasishth, Co-founder & Managing Director at Obvious Ventures.
The conversation, hosted by Unity Stoakes and recorded live in front of StartUp Health community members, gave listeners the chance to not only hear Vishal’s insights but also tune into real-time questions from entrepreneurs and innovators on the call. It was a rare opportunity to listen in as one of today’s most respected investors reflected on how capitalism can be reimagined to fuel systemic change.
Backing Bold Founders
At Obvious Ventures, Vishal leads investments in companies that integrate human, planetary, and economic health. That means supporting founders who are reversing Type 2 diabetes, building outcomes-based care models, and using AI to unlock new possibilities in biology and medicine. The goal isn’t just financial return – it’s to accelerate solutions that make the world better and healthier.
“What we’ve seen again and again is that purpose is not a constraint on innovation,” Vishal explained. “It’s the spark that drives it.”
The Power of Optimism
Throughout the conversation, Vishal highlighted the role of optimism, creativity, and authenticity in building companies that last. He described how purpose-driven investing is no longer niche but central to where markets are headed, and why founders who align values with impact are best positioned to thrive in the years ahead.
From biotech breakthroughs to generative science and AI, Obvious Ventures’ portfolio shows how technology, when guided by human-centered values, can reshape entire sectors.
Why You Should Listen
If you’re an investor looking to understand the future of early-stage healthcare, a founder raising capital for a purpose-driven startup, or simply a changemaker who believes business can be a force for good, this episode offers essential insights.
And if you’re part of the StartUp Health community, you can do more than just listen – you can be in the room. Fireside Chats like this one are hosted live for members, giving you the chance to ask your own questions and connect directly with the visionaries shaping the future of health.
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Published: Sep 11, 2025
Produced by Nicole Kinsey
