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Optimist Ventures: Opening Day
Talks about Optimist Ventures, technology investing and AI and the real economy
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Teddy Himler
Managing Partner at Optimist Ventures
New York, New York
Overview
Teddy Himler is the Founder and Managing Partner of Optimist Ventures in New York City, specializing in investing in sectors like Real Estate/PropTech, ClimateTech/CleanTech, and Web3/Crypto. With a background that includes roles at SoftBank Group International and Comcast Ventures, Teddy has successfully invested in companies like Wholesum Brands and Colabs, showcasing a strong track record in venture capital and strategic investments.
Work Experience
Founder and Managing Partner
2024 - Current
Optimist Ventures is an early stage VC firm investing in companies that enhance productivity and dignity in economic-backbone sectors: insurance, healthcare, and industrial automation. Our mission is to promote a positive, symbiotic relationship between labor and technology.
Partner
2021 - 2024
Co-leading $285M multi-stage global VC fund at Antler. Helped establish Antler as the most active investor globally across most major tech ecosystems.
Vice President
2018 - 2021
Investments, M&A and funds for SoftBank Group International, and co-founded offices in NYC, SF, and Jakarta.
Principal
2016 - 2018
Principal for multi-stage VC investments for CVC of Comcast NBCU.
Comcast Ventures partners with extraordinary entrepreneurs building transformative consumer and enterprise companies.
Vice President
2013 - 2016
SoftBank Capital Princeville US Growth Investments and co-founder of SE Asia investment practice.
Investment Banking Analyst | Technology, Media & Telecom
2011 - 2013
M&A and financing transactions across the internet, software, commtech and semis.
Goldman Sachs is a multinational financial services firm providing securities, investment banking, and management services.
Investment Banking Summer Intern
2010 - 2010
Goldman Sachs is a multinational financial services firm providing securities, investment banking, and management services.
Intern
2009 - 2009
Intern for U.S. Congressman Steve Israel
Marketing Intern
2008 - 2008
Blogger & Intern
2008 - 2008
Worked for Harvard Law Professor Larry Lessig to raise awareness around the idea that no matter your issue, campaign finance needs to be reformed to get it right
Education
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
2007 - 2011