Who Are Holmes & Yang
Holmes & Yang is a brand and business entity associated with Elizabeth Holmes, the founder of Theranos, and her partner Sunny Balwani, while Yang typically refers to Andrew Yang, the former presidential candidate and founder of Venture for America. The combined name often appears in media and public records tied to startup culture, political advocacy, and entrepreneurship programs in the United States. Andrew Yang founded Venture for America in 2011 and ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020, while Elizabeth Holmes founded Theranos in 2003 and later faced criminal charges related to fraud. The entities and individuals linked to Holmes & Yang continue to be referenced in discussions about startup ecosystems, regulation, and founder accountability.
Public filings, news reports, and court documents show that Theranos raised billions of dollars before its collapse, while Venture for America expanded to multiple cities and supported thousands of entrepreneurs. Andrew Yang has remained active in policy and business circles after his presidential campaign, and Elizabeth Holmes was convicted in January 2022 on multiple counts of fraud. The name Holmes & Yang is not a single company but a combination of high-profile figures whose stories intersect with technology startups, healthcare regulation, and political innovation.
Key Companies and Ventures
Theranos
Theranos was a health technology company founded by Elizabeth Holmes that claimed to revolutionize blood testing before being exposed for inaccurate results. The company raised more than 700 million dollars from investors and was valued at 9 billion dollars at its peak, but federal regulators and courts later found that its technology did not work as claimed. Holmes and Balwani were charged by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Department of Justice, and Holmes was found guilty on multiple counts of defrauding investors and patients. Theranos is frequently cited as a cautionary example in startup and venture capital circles, and its story is documented in detail by major outlets such as Forbes and SEC filings.
Venture for America
Venture for America is a nonprofit fellowship program founded by Andrew Yang in 2011 that places college graduates in startups across U.S. cities to foster entrepreneurship and job creation. The organization expanded to cities such as Detroit, Baltimore, and New Orleans, and it has supported hundreds of startups and thousands of fellows over the years. Venture for America is often referenced in discussions about innovation policy, workforce development, and the role of startups in revitalizing regional economies. Andrew Yang has described the program as a key part of his broader vision for economic opportunity, and its impact is tracked by independent analysts and news organizations.
Funding, Legal Outcomes, and Public Records
Theranos Funding and Collapse
Theranos raised significant capital from high-profile investors and venture capital firms before its business model was debunked, with total funding exceeding 700 million dollars. The company's valuation reached 9 billion dollars at one point, but internal investigations and whistleblower reports revealed serious issues with its technology and claims. Regulatory actions by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services led to shutdowns and sanctions, and Holmes was ultimately convicted on multiple fraud charges. Theranos is now widely studied as a case of startup failure, regulatory oversight, and the risks of unchecked founder narratives in the venture capital ecosystem.
Andrew Yang's Post-Campaign Activities
After his 2020 presidential campaign, Andrew Yang continued to engage in public policy, media, and business initiatives, including advocacy for universal basic income and entrepreneurship support. He founded Venture for America and later launched other ventures focused on technology, education, and economic innovation. Yang's work remains a reference point in discussions about the future of work, automation, and startup ecosystems, and his ideas are frequently cited in policy debates and media coverage. His post-campaign trajectory illustrates how former presidential candidates can influence business and policy landscapes