Scaling global change-makers with purposeful capital

While we believe it's important to celebrate the best, we don't believe the impact should stop there. That’s why in 2017, we launched Design to Improve Life Capital Management – a multi-stage micro-VC fund that invests in The Index Award pipeline, an ever-growing source of impactful solutions, regardless of winning status.

The Design to Improve Life (DtIL) Funds offer investment opportunities via our own investment entity alongside vetted co-investors to provide financial support and awareness to bold ideas and impactful designs. So far, we’ve launched two funds and invested in 18 companies such as Zipline, what3words and Seaborg Technologies.

If you’re a purpose-driven company looking for investment, check out our Fund FAQ. Or if you’re interested in joining our fund, feel free to reach out to explore current and new co-investment opportunities.

Launched in 2017
18 investments
Seed - Series B+
Worldwide across all industries
Design to Improve Life Fund I + II
Design to Improve Life Fund I + II
Our micro-VC fund supports a broad range of designs selected through each Index Award cycle. We identify these exceptional companies, from Seed to Series B+, and provide an exclusive opportunity to co-invest alongside leading international investors.

Want to know more? Reach out.
Petit Pli
Clothes that grow with children
Provenance
A blockchain platform offering greater transparency
CATALOG
DNA-based platform for massive digital data storage
Mimica Lab
Reactive food labelling cutting food waste in half
Spot
AI bot for reporting workplace harassment
ExSeed Health
Smart at-home sperm testing device to improve men’s fertility health
CanopyLAB
An AI platform for the future of learning
Piñatex
Vegan fabrics made from pineapple fibres
Wefarm
a marketplace and networking site for small-holder farmers
Destácame
A credit-scoring platform for the underserved
Agribuddy
The global platform securing the next generation of farmers
Ignitia
SMS-based weather forecasts for tropical farmers
Zipline
A ground-breaking drone delivery system saving lives in remote Africa
Ava
24/7 access to conversations for the hearing impaired
Circuitscribe
Metallic conductive inks for consumer electronics, wearables and e-textiles
Seaborg Technologies
A green-tech company using state-of-the-art sustainable, safe and cheap nuclear technology
Iris.AI
An AI-powered science assistant that functions like a search tool
what3words
A universal addressing system using a new global grid
Zipline, which delivers lifesaving medical supplies by drone, now valued at $1.2 billion
Chile’s Destacame raises $3 million to boost consumer financial access
Three-unique-words 'map' used to rescue mother and child
Ford adopts what3words support to ease navigation woes
Zipline's new $190 million funding means it's the newest contender in the game of drones