BILL MARIS

Bill Maris stands as a highly influential figure in the venture capital landscape, recognized for his foresight in identifying and nurturing groundbreaking companies across technology and life sciences. As the founder and managing partner of Section 32, his investment philosophy centers on supporting audacious entrepreneurs who are leveraging deep technology to solve complex problems and reshape industries.

At Section 32, Bill Maris leads a team dedicated to investing in early stage and growth stage companies with a strong emphasis on life sciences, healthcare, artificial intelligence, and other frontier technologies. The firm's name, Section 32, is a nod to a specific section of the California Corporations Code that allows for the formation of a venture capital company, symbolizing a commitment to innovation and progress. Under Maris's leadership, Section 32 provides not just capital, but also strategic guidance and operational expertise to its portfolio companies, helping them navigate the challenges of rapid growth and market disruption.

Before establishing Section 32 in 2017, Maris made an indelible mark as the founding CEO of Google Ventures (now GV), Google's venture capital arm. He launched GV in 2009 and, over seven years, grew it into a formidable investment powerhouse with over $2.5 billion under management. During his tenure at GV, Maris championed a data driven, scientific approach to venture capital, which proved highly successful. He was instrumental in building a diverse portfolio that included some of the most impactful companies of the decade.

Maris's career background is characterized by a consistent pursuit of innovation. His early career involved work in neuroscience and technology, which provided a unique foundation for his later investment focus. This blend of scientific understanding and technological acumen has allowed him to identify opportunities in complex fields like biotechnology and AI long before they became mainstream investment areas.

His notable investments reflect this visionary approach. While at GV and Section 32, Maris has backed companies such as Flatiron Health (acquired by Roche), a leader in oncology data; GRAIL (acquired by Illumina), focused on early cancer detection; Unity Technologies (IPO), a dominant platform for real time 3D content; Relay Therapeutics (IPO), developing precision medicines; Denali Therapeutics (IPO), targeting neurodegenerative diseases; and Guardant Health (IPO), a pioneer in liquid biopsies. These investments underscore his commitment to companies that promise significant societal impact alongside strong financial returns.

Bill Maris continues to be a driving force in venture capital, consistently seeking out and empowering the next generation of innovators who are poised to redefine the future of technology and human health.