Mental Health Innovation Begins With Rethinking How We Invest in Care with Brittney Riley Gavini, the Director of Investments at Pivotal Ventures

Thanks for tuning into the expanding access podcast. Ready to take your knowledge, network, and experience to the next level? Then join us at the BHT Conference in San Diego on November 11-13. Join thought leaders, practitioners, policymakers, and payers focused on expanding access and improving outcomes in mental health, behavioral health, substance abuse, and IDD.Save $100 on your registration ⁠here ⁠by using your podcast promo code “Podcast100” Investing in care infrastructure and mental health access is not just compassionate, it's foundational to long-term systemic change. In this episode, Brittney Riley Gavini, the Director of Investments at Pivotal Ventures, discusses how targeted investment strategies are unlocking real progress in youth mental health, family care, and women’s empowerment. She explains how her career evolved from startups to mission-driven venture capital, and how her team supports both philanthropic and for-profit initiatives that close care gaps. Brittney highlights investments in innovative companies and shares the importance of funding diverse founders and fund managers to reshape the innovation pipeline, especially in mental health and financial access. She also acknowledges challenges in youth mental health startups like provider shortages and complex engagement pathways. Lastly, Brittney offers advice for startups pitching investors: make it a meaningful, generative conversation, not just a transaction. Tune in and learn how mission-aligned investing is reshaping behavioral health, one bold bet at a time! Resources: Connect with and follow Brittney Riley Gavini on LinkedIn. Follow Pivotal Ventures on LinkedIn and explore their website.