Founded in 2002, the foundation invests in early-stage social enterprises that offer innovative solutions to global challenges. With over 180 investments, they have impacted over 150 million lives. The foundation was started by William H. Draper, III and Robin Richards Donohoe, and later joined forces with Robert S. Kaplan. They focus on sectors like software and crowdfunding, and have received funding from organizations like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Y Combinator.