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Stephen Hays is the founder of What If Ventures, a venture firm investing in mental health and addiction focused startups. Since inception of What If Ventures in January 2020, the firm has invested more than $83 million into 72 mental health & disruptive healthcare startups, with an LP base of over 4,100 investors who are all just as passionate as Stephen.

After decades struggling with addiction, and type-1 bipolar disorder, Stephen was able to experience a transformative change in his life including the gift of sobriety as a result of faith in God and the support of the recovery community.

This transformation would not have happened without the help of his wife, his father, and others in the recovery community who have poured into him and helped him gain his footing post addiction.  You can read more of his account in his blog post here or in Inc Magazine here.

Stephen is also the creator of a podcast on mental health, wellness and recovery, the Stigma Podcast. You can read more about the podcast and listen to his conversations with entrepreneurs, leaders and others about how mental health has impacted their lives here: Stigma Podcast. Recent guests include Michael Smith (Co-Founder of Calm), and many others.

Previously, Stephen was the Founder and Managing Partner of Deep Space Ventures, a VC fund focused early stage tech startups.  During his time at Deep Space, Stephen led 25 early stage investments. 

Before starting Deep Space Ventures, Stephen was an investment banker on Wall Street for 6+ years.  He primarily focused on helping large companies raise capital, and execute mergers & acquisitions.

Stephen received his undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering from West Point in 2003, and received his MBA from Vanderbilt in 2009.

Stephen lives in Frisco, TX with his loving wife, beautiful children and their pet bunny rabbit, named  Mr. Snuffleupagus.