A NATIVE AMERICAN FIRM
TRIBAL OUTREACH & THE NATIVE IMPACT COUNCIL
Led by Kelly Holmes, Tribal Outreach Ambassador, Relevance Ventures and NACIA
The connection between Native Americans and buffalo goes deeper than looking at the bison only as food. Native Americans consider the buffalo as a brother. Buffalo are a part of Native Americans and Native Americans are a part of the buffalo, culturally, materially, and spiritually. Buffalo represent unity and strength and are admired and respected in Indigenous cultures.
South Dakota State University, August 2024
OUR PHILOSOPHY
Health, understood the way Indigenous communities have understood it for generations
Western notions of health emphasize illness, symptoms, and profit. Native conceptualizations of health build on deep connections to each other, our environment, and the Earth itself, on balance, and on taking only what is needed. This definition of health is not a modern invention. Relevance Ventures invests in companies that are finally catching up.
THE FIRM
Relevance Ventures is the nation's first independently owned Native American venture capital firm. Founded by brothers Cameron Newton and Dean Newton, members of the Patawomeck Tribe of Virginia, joined by Bryan Hunt, CFA, as the firm's third General Partner. The firm invests in early-growth health companies, Series A, B, and C, across Personal, Community, Digital, and Financial Health.
THE THESIS
The chronic disease crisis is a systems failure, not a medical failure. Systems failures are investment opportunities. Tribal nations have witnessed this systems failure firsthand, longer and more acutely than anyone. The next generation of enduring health companies is being built by people who understand that prevention is the market. We do.
2x
TYPE 2 DIABETES RATE VS. GENERAL POPULATION
4x
MORE LIKELY FOR NATIVE YOUTH TO DIE BY SUICIDE
1 in 5
NATIVE AMERICANS LACK HEALTH INSURANCE
56%
OF NEED THE INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE IS FUNDED TO MEET
MEET YOUR
TRIBAL OUTREACH AMBASSADOR
KELLY HOLMES
TRIBAL OUTREACH AMBASSADOR, RELEVANCE VENTURES & NACIA
Mnicoujou and Itazipco Lakota, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, South Dakota.
“I build relationships between our portfolio companies and tribal nations, helping companies create real health impact in Indian Country while supporting tribal economic sovereignty.”
Kelly's work is relationship-building, research, and last-mile preparation with tribal governments, tribal enterprises, and tribal health departments, built one conversation at a time, not one-off asks.