What City Light Is All About
City Light invests early in companies that truly make a difference. Their philosophy? More revenue means better lives at scale — every single time. They team up with experienced folks building scalable companies focused on education, climate, and care. It’s not just about business; it’s about impact that matters.
The Real Impact: Numbers That Speak Volumes
City Light’s work isn’t just talk — the results are impressive:
- 23% of U.S. adults face mental and behavioral health challenges — a leading cause of disability.
- 11.4 million patients have received mental health treatment, restoring over 177,500 DALYs.
- About $5 trillion is spent annually on healthcare in the U.S., much of it on preventable issues.
- $7.5 billion in costs have been cut for both healthcare systems and patients.
- Over 6 billion metric tons of CO₂ are emitted yearly in the U.S., driving climate change.
- More than 5 million metric tons of CO₂ have been reduced, avoided, or offset.
- 60% of U.S. electricity still comes from fossil fuels, limiting clean energy access.
- 5.1 million kWh of renewable energy have been generated.
- 64% of college students earn a degree within six years, but many struggle with employment.
- 7.9 million learners have received retention support, job training, and job-seeking tools.
Focus Areas: Education, Climate, and Care
City Light zeroes in on three big areas: education, climate, and care. They believe learning is a lifelong journey — and everyone should have access to it. Climate change? It’s a global crisis that demands urgent attention. Care includes mental health, addiction, and behavioral wellness — healthcare that truly works for patients. These aren’t isolated issues; they’re complex and intertwined, and City Light knows there’s no silver bullet.
Beliefs That Drive the Mission
City Light’s approach is grounded in some core beliefs. New solutions can sometimes create new vulnerabilities — so it’s a constant balancing act. Private markets, they believe, have a meaningful role in tackling these challenges. Technology is key, too — it helps scale solutions cost-effectively. Plus, data isn’t just numbers; it’s a tool to figure out what works and speed up adoption. It’s about smart, thoughtful impact.
Investment Strategy: From Seed to Growth
City Light supports companies at various stages. Their City Spark program focuses on seed and pre-seed investments, scouting for startups that can grow into bigger players. Then there’s City Light Investments, which backs companies with at least $1 million in revenue, strong growth potential, and measurable social impact. The key? They only invest where financial success directly ties to social impact — how these companies make money is how they create change.
Linking to Global Goals: Sustainable Development in Action
- Quality Education (SDG 4)
- Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3)
- Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7)
- Climate Action (SDG 13)
- Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6)
- Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8)
- Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10)
City Light Companies Making Headlines
Some of the companies in City Light’s portfolio are already making waves. Brella recently raised $15 million in Series A funding to expand nationwide — they’ve redesigned supplemental health insurance with a tech twist that pays cash if you’re diagnosed with certain conditions. Ginger secured $100 million in Series E financing, providing mental health access to over 10 million people across 40 countries. Aloe Care launched a new Alexa Skill that lets users check indoor air quality with a simple voice command. These stories show how City Light companies are turning ideas into real-world impact.
