Brigette Lau – A Powerful Businesswoman’s Inspiring Journey of Success and Challenges
From Building Social Capital to Leading Firework Ventures: The Story of Chamath Palihapitiya’s Ex-Wife Who Redefined Venture Capital
Introduction
Brigette Lau is a name that resonates with strength, resilience, and innovation in the world of venture capital. Known not only as a successful businesswoman but also as Chamath Palihapitiya’s ex-wife, she has built an impressive career by combining engineering expertise, business acumen, and a vision for education-driven investments. Her journey reflects both positive achievements and challenging transitions, making her story both inspiring and thought-provoking.
As a co-founder of Social Capital and later a founding partner of Firework Ventures, Brigette Lau has played a defining role in shaping early-stage investments that focus on the future of work and education. While her personal life brought media attention due to her high-profile marriage and subsequent divorce, her professional contributions remain her true legacy.
Quick Bio
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Brigette Lau |
| Profession | Businesswoman, Venture Capitalist |
| Education | B.A.Sc. in Computer Engineering – University of Waterloo; MBA – Georgetown University |
| Major Roles | Co-Founder & COO of Social Capital; Founding Partner at Firework Ventures |
| Focus Areas | Education Technology, Future of Work, Economic Mobility |
| Notable Boards | Brilliant, Treehouse, Swing Education, Descomplica |
| Affiliations | Broadway Angels, CodeNow |
| Family | Ex-wife of Chamath Palihapitiya; mother of three children |
Brigette Lau’s Early Education and Academic Excellence
University of Waterloo Foundation
Brigette Lau’s professional journey began with a strong academic background. She earned her Bachelor of Applied Science in Computer Engineering from the University of Waterloo, one of Canada’s most prestigious institutions. This education equipped her with the technical expertise that would later fuel her success in Silicon Valley.
Her time at Waterloo instilled a discipline for analytical thinking and problem-solving, qualities that shaped her as a future leader. Surrounded by peers with entrepreneurial aspirations, she cultivated a mindset that combined engineering precision with business innovation.
MBA from Georgetown University
After her engineering degree, Lau pursued an MBA at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business. This step expanded her skill set from technical problem-solving to global business leadership. The MBA experience gave her a solid foundation in finance, strategy, and organizational management. It was here that she began to see the bigger picture of how capital, technology, and education could intersect to create scalable impact.
The Beginning of Brigette Lau’s Career
Early Corporate Roles
Brigette Lau started her career with traditional yet valuable roles. She worked as a Sales Executive at IBM, gaining firsthand experience in corporate technology and business development. This early exposure allowed her to understand how global technology firms function at scale, providing her with critical skills in client management and organizational structure.
Alongside her IBM role, Lau also worked as a software engineer and product architect in Silicon Valley startups. These experiences helped her merge technical development with customer-focused solutions, a combination that later proved vital in her venture capital work.
Entry into Venture Capital
With her corporate foundation established, Lau took the leap into venture capital. She was drawn to the idea of supporting companies at the intersection of technology and human potential. This decision would define the next phase of her career and place her at the heart of Silicon Valley’s transformative era.
Brigette Lau and Social Capital
Founding Partner and COO
Brigette Lau rose to prominence as one of the founding partners of Social Capital, a firm she built alongside Chamath Palihapitiya. She served as the Founding COO, responsible for non-investment operations, firm structure, and internal organization.
Her leadership at Social Capital was not merely administrative; she played a crucial role in shaping the firm’s vision and positioning it as a powerful player in Silicon Valley. While Palihapitiya was often the public face of the firm, Lau was instrumental in ensuring its internal stability and long-term strategy.
Focus on Education Investments
At Social Capital, Brigette Lau emphasized education-focused investments. She supported companies like Treehouse, Brilliant, Swing Education, and Descomplica, all of which aimed to democratize learning and make knowledge accessible. Her vision was clear: education is the foundation of opportunity, and technology is the bridge that makes it scalable.
Transition to Firework Ventures
Founding Firework Ventures
After her time at Social Capital, Brigette Lau co-founded Firework Ventures, a venture capital firm dedicated to supporting early-stage companies. The firm’s mission reflects Lau’s passion for future of work, economic mobility, and technology-driven empowerment.
At Firework, she focuses on startups that empower individuals, reshape traditional work structures, and create scalable pathways to success. This reflects her belief that technology must not only innovate but also improve society.
Expanding Her Influence
Through Firework Ventures, Brigette Lau continues to be recognized as a forward-thinking leader in the investment space. She remains committed to backing businesses that create sustainable change and long-term social value.
Board Roles and Community Contributions
Educational Boards
Brigette Lau’s commitment to education goes beyond investments. She has served on the boards of Brilliant, Treehouse, Swing Education, and Descomplica, lending her expertise to companies reshaping how knowledge is shared.
Advocacy and Nonprofits
Beyond business, Lau is active in Broadway Angels, a network of senior women investors, and has contributed to CodeNow, a nonprofit that teaches coding to underrepresented youth. These roles highlight her dedication to diversity, representation, and equal opportunity in technology.
Personal Life
Brigette Lau’s personal life became the subject of public discussion due to her marriage to Chamath Palihapitiya, a well-known venture capitalist and former Facebook executive. Together, they had three children. Their divorce in 2018 was widely reported, marking a new chapter in her personal and professional journey.
Despite the public attention, Lau has kept her focus on her career and contributions, maintaining a professional identity beyond her personal relationships.
Legacy and Professional Impact
Brigette Lau’s story is both positive and challenging. On the positive side, she has built a strong legacy as a businesswoman who contributed to shaping the venture capital industry, particularly through Social Capital and Firework Ventures. She has empowered companies that promote education and the future of work, making a lasting mark on technology-driven change.
On the challenging side, her professional identity has often been overshadowed by her association with Chamath Palihapitiya. Yet, Lau has consistently proven her own value through leadership, vision, and dedication to innovation.
Her legacy lies not only in the firms she co-founded but also in the entrepreneurs she has supported and the future she continues to build.
Conclusion
Brigette Lau is more than Chamath Palihapitiya’s ex-wife; she is a businesswoman, leader, and visionary whose work in venture capital has left a meaningful impact. Her career demonstrates the power of resilience, strategic thinking, and commitment to education and opportunity.
Through her leadership roles at Social Capital and Firework Ventures, Lau has shown that true legacy comes not from titles or associations, but from the ability to create change that outlasts one’s own story.
FAQs about Brigette Lau
Who is Brigette Lau?
Brigette Lau is a Canadian-born businesswoman and venture capitalist, co-founder of Social Capital, and founding partner at Firework Ventures.
What is Brigette Lau known for?
She is best known for her role in building Social Capital, focusing on education technology investments, and later founding Firework Ventures.
Was Brigette Lau married?
Yes, she was married to venture capitalist Chamath Palihapitiya, with whom she has three children. They divorced in 2018.
What companies has Brigette Lau invested in?
She has supported companies such as Brilliant, Treehouse, Swing Education, and Descomplica, particularly in the education technology sector.
What is Brigette Lau’s legacy?
Her legacy lies in her leadership within venture capital, her commitment to education and the future of work, and her role in representing women in technology and investment.
