How Melinda French Gates has ‘transformational potential’ to boost equality in VC, tech and beyond May 17, 2021 at 12:52 pm Underwritten by This special series focuses on important community issues, innovative solutions to societal challenges, and people and non-profit groups making an impact through technology. Melinda French Gates speaking at the University of Washington in December 2017, with long-time computer science professor Ed Lazowska in the background. (GeekWire Photo / Kevin Lisota) Melinda French Gates created Pivotal Ventures in January 2015 with so little fanfare that news ...