Brian Holloway

At Intellectual Ventures (IV), curiosity and scientific rigor go hand in hand—and for Brian Holloway, Head of Deep Science, and the Enterprise Science Fund, that’s exactly what makes IV stand out. “There’s nowhere else I know of where my team and I can do what we do,” Brian says. Unlike traditional venture funds or incubators, IV goes upstream—brainstorming new ideas, finding scientists to de-risk the science, and then exploring economic opportunities. “For what we do, there really is no one else in our space,” he says, reflecting on IV’s unique position in the innovation ecosystem. 

Growing up on the outer edge of Gainesville, Florida, Brian’s days were split between the practical demands of farm work and the intellectual challenges of a household steeped in academia. His father, a material science professor, and his mother, a cattle farmer, instilled in him both a strong work ethic and a deep curiosity about how things work. “Every afternoon I worked on the farm. It made me more efficient,” Brian recalls. This blend of practicality and curiosity has shaped Brian’s approach to his career.

After earning his undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Florida, Brian pursued a PhD in material science and mechanical engineering at Stanford. “In the end, I ended up working in the exact same scientific area my father worked in,” he reflects. That connection became a lifelong mentorship, with Brian’s father challenging him at every step and offering a rare opportunity to understand a parent as both a professional and a person. 

Just as he learned to balance the unpredictability of farm life with the rigor of academic expectations, Brian previously navigated diverse roles in government, academia, startups, and research—always seeking out new challenges and adapting to whatever came his way. He served as a congressional fellow and legislative assistant for Senator Rockefeller, stood up a research group at William & Mary, and managed R&D at Luna Innovations, a startup that went public. Later, at DARPA, he saw technology he worked on transition to the field and save lives, a milestone that remains deeply meaningful. 

At IV, Brian sets the strategic direction for both the Deep Science and Enterprise Science funds, manages risk, and takes responsibility for business and legal commitments. What he enjoys most is the variety “I get to dive deep into science but I’m never working on just one area. The diversity—switching between different scientific challenges daily and weekly—is invigorating.”

Brian’s leadership philosophy is simple: hire smart people and listen to them. "There is no hierarchy on my team. I try to build an environment where people can disagree and here’s why: that’s how you get something better.” He fosters innovation by creating space for open, honest conversations and encouraging his team to challenge one another. 

Science is risky, and Brian is candid about the challenges. “Mother nature very rarely gives you a clean, hard no, she usually keeps ghosting you,” he jokes. When projects don’t succeed, Brian and his team pivot, harvest value where possible, and sometimes they have to walk away. To navigate these uncertainties, Brian emphasizes building strong consensus within his team, bringing together deep science experts, and those with startup experience. He believes that fostering diverse viewpoints and open debate is essential for making the best decisions in the face of scientific ambiguity.

What motivates Brian Holloway most is the chance to turn ideas into reality alongside a team he genuinely enjoys working with. “The idea that I get to make something real out of this is very motivating. I like my team and the people I work with. It makes doing this fun,” he shares. Brian is especially energized by the transformative potential of AI in science, particularly in predictive modeling and materials research.

His advice to aspiring leaders? “There are two paths in science: become very, very good at something and go deep, or get to know a little about a lot of different things.” Brian’s own journey has blended both, and he credits his mentors, including his father, for helping him grow.