Brigette Lau is a Canadian-born venture capitalist, entrepreneur, and thought leader who has built her career at the intersection of technology, education, and social impact. As the Founding Partner of Firework Ventures, Brigette Lau focuses on investing in the future of work, education technology (edtech), and economic mobility.
Before co-founding Firework Ventures, she played a pivotal role in Social Capital, one of Silicon Valley’s most influential venture firms. Her work reflects a mission-driven approach—believing that technology should not only drive profit but also create opportunity and equity in society.
In today’s venture ecosystem, Brigette Lau stands out for her ability to blend technical expertise, business insight, and a deep sense of empathy for people and systems affected by innovation.
Early Life and Education
Brigette Lau grew up in Canada, where she developed a curiosity about how systems—both technical and human—work. This curiosity led her to pursue a Bachelor of Applied Science in Computer Engineering from the University of Waterloo, a school famous for producing top-tier tech entrepreneurs.
After several years in the technology industry, Brigette Lau sought to strengthen her business acumen. She went on to earn an MBA from Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business, where she refined her understanding of leadership, finance, and organizational growth.
Her dual background in engineering and business became a unique asset, allowing her to navigate both the technical and financial aspects of venture capital effectively.
Career Beginnings: From Engineering to Entrepreneurship
Before entering the venture capital world, Brigette Lau held engineering and technical sales roles at IBM and worked in a series of early-stage startups. Her time in these environments taught her how challenging it can be for founders to scale technology into sustainable business models.
It was during this period that she developed a passion for helping entrepreneurs build meaningful companies, not just profitable ones. She realized that innovation needs structure—and empathy—to thrive.
This insight would later shape her entire investment philosophy.
The Social Capital Journey
One of Brigette Lau’s most defining career chapters was her work at Social Capital, a venture firm she helped build alongside Chamath Palihapitiya. As Founding COO, she played a critical role in shaping the firm’s structure, culture, and portfolio strategy.
Social Capital was known for its mission-driven approach—investing in startups that aimed to solve hard societal problems through technology. Under Lau’s operational leadership, the firm invested in sectors like education, healthcare, and financial inclusion.
Brigette Lau’s tenure at Social Capital honed her ability to identify founders who could merge innovation with impact, a skill she would carry into her next major venture—Firework Ventures.
Firework Ventures: Investing in the Future of Work
In 2019, Brigette Lau co-founded Firework Ventures, a Los Angeles-based venture capital firm focused on reimagining how people work, learn, and grow.
Firework Ventures invests in seed and Series A startups building tools that enable workers and learners to thrive in an evolving economy. The firm’s thesis centers on the future of work—not just automation, but empowerment.
For Lau, the future of work is about designing systems that enhance human potential. She believes the best startups don’t replace people—they amplify what makes humans unique.
Focus Areas at Firework Ventures
- Education and Upskilling: Platforms that democratize access to learning and training.
- Workforce Enablement: Tools that improve productivity and job satisfaction.
- Economic Opportunity: Systems that open access to capital, networks, or fair wages.
- Human-Centered Technology: Innovations that prioritize well-being and equity.
Brigette Lau’s Investment Philosophy
At the heart of Brigette Lau’s approach is a belief that capital should serve humanity, not the other way around. Her investment philosophy combines three principles:
- Empathy for Founders – She understands the emotional and practical challenges founders face.
- Long-Term Thinking – Brigette Lau invests in companies that create sustainable value over hype.
- Systems Thinking – She looks at how each innovation fits into the broader economic and social system.
She often emphasizes that as automation advances, human-centric innovation becomes more essential. Companies that empower people—through learning, fairness, and creativity—will define the next generation of economic growth.
Key Portfolio Companies and Impact
Personal Values and Leadership Style
Brigette Lau’s leadership style is often described as grounded, empathetic, and strategic. She leads with questions rather than assumptions, encouraging founders to explore “why” before “how.”
Her Canadian upbringing and immigrant-family roots influenced her belief in education as a great equalizer. She frequently speaks about how opportunity should not depend on where you’re born but on what you can learn and create.
Outside of her professional life, Lau is known for valuing family, humility, and continuous learning—a rare combination in the high-pressure world of venture capital.
What Makes Brigette Lau Stand Out in Venture Capital
In a field often dominated by profit-driven narratives, Brigette Lau brings a human-first perspective. Her engineering background gives her technical credibility, but her real superpower is her understanding of people.
She stands out because:
- She prioritizes social mobility over short-term gain.
- She focuses on founders solving systemic problems.
- She brings operational rigor from her time at Social Capital.
- She actively promotes diversity and inclusion in venture funding.
Brigette Lau represents a new breed of venture capitalist—one who measures success not just by valuations but by the number of lives improved.
Lessons Entrepreneurs Can Learn from Brigette Lau
Entrepreneurs can take away powerful insights from Brigette Lau’s journey:
- Build with Purpose: Focus on solving problems that matter to real people.
- Be Systemic: Think about how your product fits into the broader ecosystem.
- Stay Grounded: Success in startups requires patience, empathy, and persistence.
- Invest in People: The best teams win because of trust and collaboration.
These principles make Lau not only a successful investor but also a model for what responsible innovation should look like.
FAQ About Brigette Lau
1. Who is Brigette Lau?
Brigette Lau is a Canadian-born venture capitalist, founding partner of Firework Ventures, and a former founding COO of Social Capital. She invests in companies shaping the future of work and education.
2. What is Firework Ventures?
Firework Ventures is a venture capital firm co-founded by Brigette Lau. It invests in startups focused on improving how people learn, work, and grow in a changing economy.
3. What industries does Brigette Lau invest in?
She invests primarily in edtech, workforce innovation, economic mobility, and human-centered technologies.
4. What is Brigette Lau’s educational background?
She holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Computer Engineering from the University of Waterloo and an MBA from Georgetown University.
5. How does Brigette Lau’s work impact the future of work?
By funding technologies that empower rather than replace workers, Lau helps shape a more equitable and human-centered future of work.
Conclusion
In the fast-evolving world of venture capital, Brigette Lau represents a rare blend of technical expertise, social consciousness, and visionary leadership. From her early engineering career to co-founding Social Capital and leading Firework Ventures, she has consistently focused on one mission: creating opportunity through innovation.