About this episode
On this week's episode of Silicon Valley Impact we speak with Bryce Gilleland, General Partner of Cal Innovation Fund II; and Chima Osuka, Senior Partner at Suncoast Ventures.
Bryce is the General Partner of Cal Innovation Fund II, a venture fund investing in startups founded by entrepreneurs from UC Berkeley and the University of California ecosystem. His mission is to tenaciously support founders in achieving performance with purpose—building companies that deliver both strong returns and meaningful impact.
Bryce previously operated the #1 performing hedge fund in the world in 2020, generating 846% net returns while scaling assets from $8 million to $600 million and bringing on more than 150 limited partners. Earlier in his career, he spent more than a decade in energy markets at PG&E and Southern California Edison, analyzing policy and designing initiatives that saved over $1 billion in costs while advancing environmental outcomes.
Today, Bryce is focused on backing capital-efficient founders emerging from the Cal and UC ecosystems, investing in leaders building companies at the intersection of innovation, scale, and impact. Through the California Innovation Fund model, 50% of firm profits are donated back to Berkeley’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, ensuring investors keep 100% of their returns while fueling the next generation of builders.
Chima is a venture investor at Suncoast Ventures, where his path from elite athlete to entrepreneur has shaped a disciplined approach to investing and founder support. His early exposure to healthcare came from working in his family’s chain of clinics in the Bay Area, giving him firsthand insight into healthcare delivery and innovation.
Before entering venture capital, Chima spent over a decade advising corporate VCs and accelerators in London, helping organizations refine innovation strategy and startup engagement. He also led Google Launchpad programs across Latin America, partnering with regional leaders to advance entrepreneurship and technology ecosystems.
Chima later helped launch Diverse Angels, a syndicate enabling diverse fund managers to invest in more than 50 startups, reinforcing his commitment to expanding access in venture capital. He also led the creation of Anthem’s incubation and innovation arm at Elevance Health, developing a fast-track program to help startups reach market readiness faster.
Before the venture, Chima was both an entrepreneur and elite athlete—launching a chain of health-focused cafés, competing as a U.S. Olympic boxer, and playing football at San Jose State University. Today, he’s known for pairing disciplined strategy with hands-on support for founders building the next generation of impactful companies.
This and much more on Silicon Valley Impact!
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