Intellectual Ventures

Intellectual Ventures is a global invention and investment business that creates, incubates, and commercializes inventions, led by former Microsoft CTO Nathan Myhrvold. Founded in 2000 by Myhrvold, Edward Jung, Peter Detkin, and Greg Gorder, the firm is headquartered in Bellevue, Washington. Beyond investing, IV operates an in-house R&D facility, IV Lab, where scientists and engineers develop inventions from concept through proof-of-concept, spanning fields like metamaterials, disease modeling, and deep learning diagnostics. The firm's focus spans deep science, physical security, connectivity, nuclear energy, and life sciences, monetizing invention through patent licensing, direct investment, and company incubation rather than a single-sector thesis. Notable spinout companies include TerraPower (advanced nuclear reactors), Kymeta, Evolv Technologies (NASDAQ: EVLV), Echodyne, Pivotal Commware, Lumotive, and Xinova, with Global Good — its humanitarian innovation arm — contributing work later integrated into the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. IV operates three core investment vehicles — the Invention Investment Fund, Enterprise Science Fund, and Deep Science Fund — with capital deployed toward invention rather than a disclosed fixed check size. Its approach centers on aggregating patent portfolios, running structured "Invention Sessions" with top scientists, and commercializing IP through licensing, spinouts, and strategic partnerships.