Through a global portfolio of impact startups and partnerships, Johnson & Johnson Impact Ventures (J&J Impact Ventures) aims to accelerate access to affordable, quality healthcare for all. Financial returns from portfolio companies are recycled into new investments, demonstrating the potential sustainability of this impact investing model and further expansion of the impact to patient care. 

 Supporting the field: Fueled by our belief in the potential of market-based solutions to address health equity issues, including those outside our portfolio, J&J Impact Ventures provided funding to early-stage health impact entrepreneurs through programs hosted by Tech In Asia, MIT Solve, Village Capital, Villgro Africa, the Aspen Institute and Echoing Green. In 2022, these programs and innovation ecosystem partners have supported entrepreneurs with resources and tools to develop their ideas, prototype and pilot products, and scale impact.  

We also provided funding for Rock Health’s Equitable Investments Initiative to further research and the publication of a report as a call-to-action for greater investment in underrepresented entrepreneurs in the U.S.—especially founders from communities of color, which have historically received less funding than their white counterparts. We also helped fund the development of IRIS+, an investment tool from the Global Impact Investing Network, so investors can identify and support enterprises combating racial health disparities.  

More than capital: With the aim to increase the success and impact of our investments, we engage J&J’s network of experience and expertise to provide various resources, support, and advising to our portfolio companies. In 2022, employees provided guidance on global supply chain development, financial planning, leadership, and marketing through formal secondments and other engagements.  

Our ability to tap into the broad expertise across J&J is a differentiating factor of the fund and can be a key asset to companies working to scale. We also piloted a new customized program for energy and resiliency through the Human Performance Institute, to address the issues of stress and burn-out experienced by entrepreneurs.