Investing In Kalos Ventures

We are proud to be an investor in Kalos Ventures’ inaugural fund, which was oversubscribed at $78.8 million. The firm, led by Managing Partner Ashley Bittner, invests in early-stage companies advancing solutions in the workforce, care, and education sectors. Our investment is through Gratitude’s Inclusive Capital strategy, which supports the next generation of emerging impact venture managers. 

This deepens our partnership with Ashley, whose prior fund, Firework Ventures, we also committed to in 2022. Gratitude is honored to invest alongside strong institutional and impact investors including ZOMA Capital, GCM Grosvenor, MassMutual, Sorenson Impact Advisory, and Pivotal Ventures. 

Why We Invested in Kalos

Shifting Demographics and Market Opportunity 

It is expected that half of U.S. jobs will be reshaped by AI in the coming two to three years. By 2034, older adults will outnumber children in the U.S. for the first time in history. The care and education systems that support working people are not keeping pace with these shifts, and very few venture funds have the sector depth to identify and lead early-stage investments in this space.  

Team and Sector Experience 

Ashley brings depth of experience to this space: she spent time as a Special Assistant in the Obama Administration’s Department of Education, taught in the Bronx through Teach for America, and invested at Owl Ventures before starting her own firm. She has served on 19 boards, including current roles with Transfr, Tilt, Mirza, and Manifest. Kalos Partner Renée Beaumont brings more than 25 years of investment experience spanning Goldman Sachs and Generation Investment Management. Principal Kate Ballinger has been instrumental in building the firm since its inception, leading deals and sitting on boards of Kalos companies.   

Sourcing and Founder Support 

The team builds detailed sector maps across workforce, care, and education to sharpen their view of specific sub-sectors. These maps also help them track promising companies and build relationships with founders early. In most rounds Kalos has led, they got in early—before founders were even raising—because those founders already trust and want to work with them. They earn that trust through genuine relationship-building, deep industry expertise, and hands-on portfolio support, including at the Board level.  

Impact 

As a women-led firm, Kalos cares deeply about who they fund and the outcomes these companies can generate to enhance opportunity and wellbeing for all. Sixty percent of Kalos portfolio companies have a female CEO and 50% have a non-white CEO, demonstrating that they have a differentiated network and approach. Kalos tracks company-level impact metrics, including job placement, income growth, and care-cost reduction, that are shared out regularly with investors.  

We’re excited to partner with Ashley and the Kalos team and look forward to supporting and co-investing alongside them as they build the firm.