Brigette Lau is a name you might hear in tech and venture circles. She works with startups and helps them grow. People who follow the future of work know her for smart bets and clear ideas about helping people find better jobs.
This article tells Brigette Lau’s story in plain words. I use facts from public bios and profiles so you get a clear picture. I’ll stop halfway so we can add more later — about her investments, influence, and life outside work.
Early life and education
Brigette grew up in Canada. Her family moved there from another country, and they taught her to work hard and value school. That background shaped how she thinks about chance and effort today.
She studied computer engineering at the University of Waterloo. After some years working, she went back to school and earned an MBA from Georgetown’s McDonough School of Business. These two steps — tech training and a business degree — helped her move from engineer to leader in finance and investing.
Early career — from engineer to the Valley
Brigette started as an engineer at a few Silicon Valley startups. She learned how products are built and how teams work. These early jobs taught her to spot real problems that tech can solve.
Later she worked in sales at IBM. That role taught her a different set of skills: how to talk to customers, how to sell ideas, and how to run parts of a business. Those skills mattered a lot when she moved into venture capital.
Founding Social Capital — a turning point
One of the big steps in Brigette Lau’s career was helping to start Social Capital. She was a founding leader there and served as the firm’s COO. In that role she helped build the firm’s operations and its culture.
Social Capital focused on using money to back ideas that could help many people. While at the firm, Brigette worked with teams that aimed to improve education, health, and financial services for more people. This work shaped her idea that investing can do more than make money — it can create chance for others.
Firework Ventures — building the future of work
After leaving Social Capital, Brigette Lau started something new. She co-founded Firework Ventures, a venture firm that focuses on the future of work. The goal is simple: to support startups that make jobs better and easier for people.
Think about how much work has changed in the last few years. Remote jobs, new tools, and new skills are all part of today’s world. Brigette saw this change coming and wanted to back companies that help people learn, grow, and thrive in their careers. Firework Ventures looks for startups that give workers more chances and help businesses build strong teams.
For example, the firm has invested in companies that train workers for new skills, platforms that help teams stay connected, and tools that improve workplace culture. Brigette believes these ideas are not only good for workers but also create stronger businesses in the long run.
Her way of investing
Brigette Lau is not just about numbers. She believes investing is also about people. She looks at the founders, their stories, and their reasons for building a company. If someone is trying to solve a real problem for real people, she listens closely.
Her style is patient and supportive. Instead of only chasing big profits, she thinks about how the company can create lasting value. This makes her different from some investors who focus only on fast wins. Brigette’s way shows she cares about both success and impact.
She often shares advice with new founders. One of her main tips is to focus on building something meaningful. In her view, money will follow if the mission is strong. That idea has guided many of her choices in business.
Other roles and contributions
Besides Firework Ventures, Brigette Lau is also part of Broadway Angels, a group of women investors and leaders. This group helps bring more diversity to venture capital and supports more women-led businesses.
She also mentors and speaks at events. Many young founders, especially women in tech, look up to her. Brigette uses her experience to guide others through the tough parts of starting a business.
By sharing her story and lessons, she shows that success is not only about reaching the top but also about lifting others along the way.
Life outside work
Brigette’s work keeps her busy, but she also values family and community. She has spoken about the importance of balancing career with personal life. That balance helps her bring fresh energy into her work.
She enjoys giving back through mentoring and supporting causes she cares about. For her, success is not complete unless it also helps others.
Even though she is well known in the venture world, Brigette Lau stays down-to-earth. Friends and colleagues often describe her as thoughtful, kind, and focused.
Conclusion
Brigette Lau’s story is inspiring because it shows how one person can shape both business and society. From her early days as an engineer, to co-founding Social Capital, and now leading Firework Ventures, she has always looked for ways to create impact.
Her path reminds us that the future of work is about more than technology. It is about people, opportunities, and building tools that help everyone grow. Brigette continues to prove that investing with heart and vision can lead to lasting change.
In a world where work keeps changing, leaders like Brigette Lau help guide the way forward.
