June 2, 2020

A Note to our Founders and LPs.

The killing of George Floyd and the sensitive issues surrounding it weigh heavily on us professionally and personally.

First and foremost, our hearts go out to the people, families, and loved ones who are being subjected to grave inequities across the country because of their race, ethnicity, gender, or identity. The human rights and legal protections that many of us enjoy, and even take for granted, are sadly absent for too many.

We want liberty, justice, and equitable opportunity for all Americans. They are critical to the health of our democracy, and for the future of our children and loved ones.

At this moment filled with so many questions, we, unfortunately, don’t have answers. But, as someone said to me earlier, “I just want you to know that we care.”

Motley Fool Ventures chose as its North Star the following quote from David Gardner. We use it to guide our investment choices, but it is also a roadmap for constructive change in a larger context.

“Make your portfolio reflect your best vision for our future. 
Always be thinking ahead, be optimistic, think about the world that you want to create. Because sure enough, your dollars and mine, our capital, is helping shape the world. Truly we are shaping the world every day with our financial decisions. And the future matters so very deeply.”

 — David Gardner, Co-Founder, The Motley Fool

We will continue to build towards that best vision for our future. But, it will require a partnership. We will need to be brave enough to admit inadequacies, wise enough to challenge constructively, strong enough to de-escalate disruptive forces, and humble enough to seek counsel from those who can bring us together.

Our commitment to you is that we will listen, we will care, and we will find ways to work harder and move faster to create a better world.

Please Be Safe,
Ollen Douglass and the Motley Fool Ventures Team