David Nikzad | Source | Founder and CEO at Orthogonal Thinker

David Nikzad is a very successful and noted venture capitalist in Silicon Valley, Southern California, New York City, and Maui, where he is currently based. Some of the more well-known companies he was an early investor in include AirBnB and Betterment. He was also an early-stage investor in some noted crowdfunding (WeFunder, Real Crowd, Republic), software (Quartzy, Talkable, June, Vidyard, Ridecell), cannabis (Mellows, Confident Cannabis, Meadow) and wellness (Sol-ti, Surya Spa, Maui Raw, Randy’s Club ) and other companies (Equipment Share). All told, David has invested in 100+ start-up and emerging companies over the last twenty years as an individual and as part of a number of VCs including Y Combinator, Reinmkr Satsang, and Sleeping Giants, both of which he co-founded, and Arcview Capital.

Recently David has turned his productive attention to the next booming wellness space, psychedelic medicine. To this end, he has founded Orthogonal Thinker that’s mission is to give people access to nature’s most effective health solutions while setting the standard of a new “Farma”, Food as Medicine. He has also taken the reins of Orthogonal’s psychedelic medicine VC, Ei Ventures.

Ei works to empower mental wellness through psychoactive compounds and technology. Ei’s ambition is to deliver governmental approved therapeutic treatment options that address the current global mental healthcare pandemic. Ei Ventures is focused on developing botanical API for the psychedelic supply chain, novel psychedelic compounds for various indications, unique delivery mechanisms and treatment protocols, and medicinal mushroom nutraceuticals for improving well-being and health.

Ultimately, David and Ei intend to create a revolution when it comes to mental health and wellness. The aim is to open the pathway to the billion + people worldwide who need to receive these life-changing treatments and natural solutions.

In addition to his amazing work in technology and investments, he’s also an involved father, surfer, and mentor to young entrepreneurs who resides on Maui with his fiance Daria, son Dorian, and daughter Lilly.