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Notley operates as a hybrid venture capital and philanthropic organization, focused on scaling and supporting initiatives dedicated to social innovation. The firm integrates traditional investment strategies in real estate and venture funds with charitable giving, channeling profits to empower businesses, nonprofits, and programs that aim to generate positive societal impact. Its approach combines financial growth with a commitment to community development and systemic change.
The organization was co-founded in 2015 by Lisa Graham and Dan Graham. Their foundational insight stemmed from the belief that significant social and environmental challenges could be addressed more effectively by bridging the divide between capitalistic ventures and philanthropic endeavors. This integrated model was conceived to create a sustainable engine for impact, leveraging entrepreneurial success to fuel broader community benefit.
Notley’s initiatives serve a diverse ecosystem of impact organizations, startups, and established nonprofits striving for positive change. The company's long-term vision is to foster a more innovative and equitable world by continuously identifying, nurturing, and accelerating solutions that address critical community needs and improve lives. It seeks to be a catalyst for sustained progress and societal advancement.
Key people at Notley.
Notley was founded in 2015 by Lisa Graham (Owner & Founder) and Matt McDonnell (Partner, Founder).
Notley is a catalyst for social innovation that integrates for-profit investments with philanthropic efforts to scale businesses, nonprofits, and programs driving positive social change.[2][4] Founded as a hybrid model, it leverages proceeds from investments in real estate, venture funds, and startups to fund impact initiatives, supporting dozens of organizations with over $2M in charitable contributions in 2023 alone.[2][5] Its mission centers on nurturing innovative, sustainable ideas through a shared services model, blending purpose and profit to address systemic social challenges.[2][3]
Notley's investment philosophy emphasizes early revenue and scaling-stage opportunities in ventures empowering changemakers globally, without leading rounds.[6][7] Key sectors include social impact areas like community efforts, with a focus on positive change rather than traditional returns alone.[4][5] In the startup ecosystem, it acts as a supporter by channeling investment profits into philanthropy and providing operational resources, fostering a movement that humanizes entrepreneurship through social good.[2]
Notley was co-founded in 2015 by Dan and Lisa Graham in Austin, TX, after a decade of their combined experience in entrepreneurship and philanthropy.[2][7] The Grahams sought to create an ecosystem tackling tough social challenges by merging diverse resources under a shared purpose, evolving from personal giving into a structured hybrid model.[2] Early traction came from building impact programs and a foundation (established around 2016), which formalized their commitment to funding businesses and nonprofits for social impact.[3]
A related entity, Notley Investments Limited, was registered as an overseas company in Jersey on February 23, 2023, potentially expanding their investment operations internationally under Jersey law.[1] This evolution reflects a shift toward scalable, global support for changemakers, with Notley Ventures emerging as their early-stage investment arm focused on positive social impact.[7]
Notley's unique position stems from its hybrid structure, which sets it apart in impact investing:
Notley rides the wave of impact investing and venture philanthropy, where ESG (environmental, social, governance) trends converge with tech-driven solutions for social issues.[2][7] Timing aligns with rising demand for purpose-driven capital post-2020, as startups increasingly prioritize sustainability amid global challenges like inequality and climate change.[5] Market forces favoring it include growing allocations to social impact funds and hybrid models that blend returns with measurable good, positioning Notley to influence early-stage tech ecosystems by funding scalable innovations.[6][7]
It shapes the landscape by demonstrating how investment profits can fuel nonprofits, inspiring other firms to adopt shared services for broader ecosystem support and humanizing VC through founder stories.[2]
Notley is poised to expand its hybrid model globally, potentially leveraging entities like its Jersey arm for diversified investments amid rising impact fund inflows.[1][6] Trends like AI for social good and climate tech will shape its portfolio, amplifying support for scaling changemakers.[7] Its influence may evolve toward larger ecosystem-building, setting a blueprint for profit-purpose integration that redefines success in tech investing—echoing its core mission to nurture ideas into lasting systemic change.[2][4]
Notley was founded in 2015 by Lisa Graham (Owner & Founder) and Matt McDonnell (Partner, Founder).
Key people at Notley.
Notley has 2 tracked investments across 2 companies. The latest tracked deal is $27.0M Debt / Series B in Medical Informatics in November 2022.
| Date | Company | Round | Lead Investor(s) | Co-Investor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 29, 2022 | Medical Informatics | $27.0M Debt / Series B | Diamantis Xylas, Mark Rostick | Data Collective, Ncourage, Texas Medical Center, John Couris |
| Aug 9, 2022 | Ceresa | $3.0M Other Equity | Liam Pisano, LiveOak Venture Partners, Ttcer Partners | Gaingels, Goodwater Capital, TXV Partners |