Seth Bannon
Seth Bannon is the Founding Partner of Fifty Years, a Silicon Valley–based seed-stage venture capital firm that backs mission-driven entrepreneurs using technology to solve some of the world’s most pressing challenges. As a leading investor in deep tech and impact-focused startups, Bannon has invested in more than 50 early-stage companies advancing innovation across sustainability, food systems, space, and industrial technology. Notable investments include Memphis Meats (Upside Foods), a pioneer in cultured meat and sustainable protein; Solugen, which engineers enzymes to produce industrial chemicals with dramatically lower environmental impact; and Astranis, a space technology company building small satellites to expand global internet access. Prior to founding Fifty Years, Bannon was the Co-Founder of Impact.Tech, a global community of entrepreneurs focused on aligning purpose with profit. He was also the Co-Founder and CEO of Amicus, a social impact startup that helps nonprofit organizations transform supporters into effective fundraisers and advocates. Beyond investing, Bannon is a frequent speaker and writer on venture capital, deep technology, climate and sustainability, and impact investing, with a particular focus on helping scientists and engineers navigate the challenges of building successful companies.
Fifty Years is a mission-driven, impact-oriented venture capital firm that provides seed-stage funding and hands-on strategic support to founders tackling large-scale “civilizational problems” through technology.
Under Seth Bannon’s leadership, the firm has invested in more than 100 deep tech startups, many of which have gone on to raise billions of dollars in follow-on capital while scaling technologies with meaningful real-world impact.
Fifty Years specializes in backing founders at the earliest stages across synthetic biology, climate technology, techbio, space, and other science-driven sectors that require building in atoms as well as bits.
Through the firm, Bannon supports entrepreneurs applying science, engineering, and breakthrough innovation to create scalable solutions addressing global challenges in sustainability, food systems, health, and connectivity.
VENTURE CAPITAL & ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Seth Bannon is a longtime advocate for using entrepreneurship and investment as tools to solve the world’s most pressing problems, including climate change, sustainable food production, and the digital divide.
Through Fifty Years, he has seeded a wide range of impact-driven startups shaping the future, including Memphis Meats (Upside Foods), Solugen, and Astranis, among many others.
His work at the intersection of venture capital, deep technology, and social impact has earned him recognition twice on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 for Social Entrepreneurship.
MEDIA PRESENCE & THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Bannon is a frequent speaker and commentator on topics such as impact investing, deep tech venture capital, founder mental health, and building companies that balance profit with purpose.
He has been quoted by leading publications including The Economist and the Financial Times, and his work has been featured on CNN, Good Morning America, ABC News, Inc., TechCrunch, and Fast Company.
His insights regularly appear across podcasts, industry conferences, and media platforms focused on innovation, sustainability, and early-stage venture investing.