Why Pilea

When we set out to rebrand Atlas, we knew in our souls that our new name had to stand for something beyond just words. That probably doesn't make us much different from most brands (or at least mission-driven brands), but still, it was a task we took to heart. With reverence we sought to find inspiration in something that reflected our mission and values so strongly that we'd be moved to share it with the world.

I believe we've done that.

Introducing Pilea

Pilea peperomioides is often referred to as the Chinese Money Plant or (our favorite) the Pass It On Plant. Both nicknames are testaments to its generous and generative nature, which we love. People can't help but feel lucky in its presence, and they want to share that good fortune with friends. This sense of magnanimity and value is exactly what we aspire to create for our clients and within our communities.

Knowing what you do now about the Pilea plant, it won’t be a surprise how the inspiration for Pilea came to Kari one morning. As she was sitting in meditation, she gazed at her little plant and noticed small sprouts springing up on every side of it. In that moment she understood that it was in the plant’s nature to create more of itself to share with the world; out of love and with a giving spirit, the Pilea was simply living out its purpose.

We believe that humans have the same natural instinct to create from love. While popular headlines might make big deals of billion-dollar valuations and large exits, many of the founders we know don't build for that purpose. Sure, the idea of unicorn status is great, but the real joy comes from creating something with heart, for others, as pure expression. Just like our little plant.

The Next Chapter

There is always a bittersweet feeling when we step into something new, and this time is no different. We're grateful to everyone who has shared the Atlas name over the past few years, as we couldn’t have done any of this without you. We're hopeful you’ll continue to explore with us on the next phase of our journey to support the future of the startup ecosystem -- for founders and investors alike.

Welcome to Pilea. Pass it on.