Fifty Years (often stylized as 50Y) is a San Francisco-based early-stage venture capital firm founded in 2016 by entrepreneurs Seth Bannon and Ela Madej, dedicated to backing mission-driven founders who use deep technology to tackle humanity's greatest challenges, such as climate change, disease, malnutrition, and global connectivity, while aiming for massive profitability.
With multiple funds raised (including a notable $90 million fund in 2021 backed by dozens of unicorn founders), the firm focuses on pre-seed and seed investments, often incubating or co-creating companies and providing extensive support to scientist-founders transitioning to entrepreneurship.
The portfolio includes over 100 companies with standout successes like Solugen (bio-based chemicals unicorn), Upside Foods (cultivated meat), Opentrons (lab automation), Astranis (satellite connectivity), and multiple unicorns from early funds, emphasizing high-impact deep tech in biotech, climate, and health.
