TH

Teddy Himler

Founder and Managing Partner, Optimist Ventures

New York, New York

Invests in

Work Experience

  • Founder and Managing Partner

    2024

    Optimist Ventures is an early stage VC firm investing in companies that enhance productivity and dignity in economic-backbone sectors: insurance, healthcare, and industrial automation. Our mission is to promote a positive, symbiotic relationship between labor and technology.

2021 - 2024

  • Partner

    2021 - 2024

    Co-leading $285M multi-stage global VC fund at Antler. Helped establish Antler as the most active investor globally across most major tech ecosystems.

  • Vice President

    2018 - 2021

    Investments, M&A and funds for SoftBank Group International, and co-founded offices in NYC, SF, and Jakarta.

2016 - 2018

  • Principal

    2016 - 2018

    Principal for multi-stage VC investments for CVC of Comcast NBCU.

2013 - 2016

  • Vice President

    2013 - 2016

    SoftBank Capital Princeville US Growth Investments and co-founder of SE Asia investment practice.

2011 - 2013

  • Investment Banking Analyst | Technology, Media & Telecom

    2011 - 2013

    M&A and financing transactions across the internet, software, commtech and semis.

2010 - 2010

  • Investment Banking Summer Intern

    2010 - 2010

  • Intern

    2009 - 2009

    Intern for U.S. Congressman Steve Israel

  • Marketing Intern

    2008 - 2008

  • Blogger & Intern

    2008 - 2008

    Worked for Harvard Law Professor Larry Lessig to raise awareness around the idea that no matter your issue, campaign finance needs to be reformed to get it right