The name is
a promise.
Brightmind isn't a branding exercise. The name was a gift from a doctor on one of the hardest days of our lives.
When my son was three years old, a neurologist sat us down and told us he had autism. He walked us through how difficult the road ahead would be, for him and for everyone who loved him. He wasn't wrong about that.
But he ended the conversation with something I never expected. He said, "I want you to enjoy his bright mind. He's off the charts smart. Make sure you enjoy his brightness."
That sentence stayed with me for fifteen years. So when it came time to name this firm, there was never really a choice.
Because that's exactly what this work is. Every founder we back has a bright mind. Every one of them faces challenges most people never see, and overcoming those challenges is brutal. The reward is watching someone grow, succeed, and come out the other side a better person. That's what investing means to us.
Where our money and our time go.
Organization for Autism Research
NationalFunds applied research that answers the questions families actually face: education, communication, employment, and daily life. Four stars on Charity Navigator, and every study is aimed at practical outcomes, not shelf-ware.
Autism Society of America
NationalThe nation's oldest grassroots autism organization, running a national helpline and a network of local affiliates that connect families to services, education, and advocacy across the lifespan.
Autism Science Foundation
NationalFunds rigorous autism science, from genetics to early intervention, and gets promising young researchers into the field. Four stars on Charity Navigator and a reputation for putting nearly every dollar into the research itself.
Waves of Strength
New JerseyAdaptive surf therapy for children with autism and other developmental differences on Long Beach Island, New Jersey. Their motto is "happiness comes in waves," and we've seen exactly what they mean, up close, in our own backyard.
We don't do it for the selfies. We give, we show up at events, and we put our network to work for these organizations the same way we do for our founders.