Author: Next Phase Admin

Hot Investor Mandate: USA-Based VC Firm Invests in AI-Leveraging Healthcare Companies in US, Canada, and UK

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A Silicon Valley-based VC fund is focused on early-stage ( Seed, Series A/B ) AI companies in Healthcare, Enterprise, and Automation. With a mission-driven thesis of doing well by doing good, the firm invest in technical founders keen on applying AI to solve some of the acutest problems faced across industries. The firm is currently investing from its second fund which is focusing on applied AI for Healthcare ( Precision Medicine, AI Drug Development, Gene/Cell Therapies Delivery, Oncology, Medical Imaging, Digital Healthcare), Enterprise ( Co-Pilots for Enterprise, Cybersecurity, DevOps/MLOps Tools, Infrastructure), and Automation ( Robotics, Autonomous Driving, Drones ). 

The firm’s team is a multidisciplinary team of seasoned founders, deep technologists/scientists, and healthcare practitioners united by a drive to nurture the next wave of startups transforming lives through AI. 

The firm can invest from Seed to Series B rounds with check size ranging from $250k-4M USD. The firm focuses on companies in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. 
 
In terms of healthcare, the firm invests in companies that blend technology toward healthcare applications; what the firm likes to call “tech-bio”. Some examples include technology that can improve how drugs are discovered, targeted and delivered, that drive clinical results with biased-free patient selection and data transparency, digital therapeutics and precision medicine. The goal is to improve patient outcomes and serve multiple customers and pipelines. The firm is not interested in traditional assets. 
 
The firm prefers to take a board seat however, it is not required. 

If you are interested in more information about this investor and other investors tracked by LSN, please email salescore@lifesciencenation.com. 

Hot Investor Mandate: VC Firm Seeks Seed to Series A Companies Working on Data-Driven Digital Health and Techbio Technologies

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A venture capital firm headquartered in the US is particularly interested in tech companies generating data. The firm takes a close look at amount and quality of generated data. The firm is focused on early stages, specifically Seed and Series A. The firm’s typical check size is between $1M-$5M in equity, typically investing in 20 companies each year. The firm is focused on USA based companies. 
 
The firm is focused on digital health and techbio (typically looked at as the intersection of life sciences and AI). Previous investments include single-cell protein sequencing, a company using AI for tech-enabled drug discovery, and a company developing mRNA Therapeutics for Cancers. The firm has no revenue requirements for companies. 
 
The firm can both lead and co-invest and will consider a board seat on a case-by-case basis. The firm has no requirements for the management team. 

If you are interested in more information about this investor and other investors tracked by LSN, please email salescore@lifesciencenation.com. 

Hot Investor Mandate: Newly Founded Angel Group Looks to Invest in Early-Stage Medical Device and Digital Health Companies in the US

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A newly established angel investor group headquartered in the US with ties/members in China is looking for innovative opportunities in the healthcare sector. The firm invest in early stages, including seed and series A, The firm’s typical check size ranges from $100K – $500K. The firm is open to USA based companies. 
 
The firm is primarily focused on investing in digital health and medical devices. The firm is indication- and modality- agnostic. 
 
The firm is open to both co-investing and leading, though prefers to co-invest. The firm likes with see a management team from a relevant domain with previous business experience. 

If you are interested in more information about this investor and other investors tracked by LSN, please email salescore@lifesciencenation.com. 

RFK Jr. & Trump Think Govt. Grants are Broken. Are They? The Problem with Life Science Grant Funding

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By Sougato Das, President and COO, Life Science Nation (LSN)

Sougato-DasThe hot topic is that government grants are fundamentally broken in Life Science. RFK Jr. is calling out NIH-funded studies as problematic and seeks to fix them by having Senate committees review proposals, restructuring and/or laying off NIH staff, and reducing infectious disease research while increasing chronic disease funding.

A 2023 study showed that nearly all FDA New Drug Applications from 2010 to 2019 relied on NIH funding in the early stages. Yet the biotech startup failure rate is 90%, according to Health Tech World and CBI Insights. So what is the disconnect, and what are the lessons Life Science Nation has learned from 12 years of helping startups get funded? One of the factors that can contribute to this failure rate: scientists and academics control the selection and evaluation process, and they often remain in the mix long after their expertise is most relevant. While they play a crucial role in assessing technical feasibility, when should they step aside when plotting the journey to commercialization?

The problem isn’t just that academic scientists struggle with translating discoveries into commercial products – such as navigating the FDA, clinical trials, and regulatory approvals – but that grant programs themselves fail to address the fundamentals essential for success. Instead of equipping grantees with the real-world skills needed for sales, business development, and strategic partnering, the “commercialization training” typically amounts to little more than teaching them how to prepare for a partnering event and deliver a 30-minute pitch deck.

This is the equivalent of bringing a knife to a gunfight. Securing funding and forming industry partnerships requires far more than a polished presentation. It demands a deep understanding of market positioning, deal structuring, sales strategy, and long-term capital planning – areas where most scientific founders are left unprepared. Until grant programs integrate commercialization expertise and ensure leadership transitions to business professionals at the right stage, billions in non-dilutive funding will continue to be wasted on technologies that never reach patients.

Innovative funding strategies that bridge the gap between academic research and commercial viability should be explored. Additionally, creating a supportive ecosystem that connects scientists with investors, industry partners, and mentors with funding and partnering expertise is crucial to guiding them through the commercialization process.

Meet Global Investors at RESI Europe in Barcelona! 

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By Greg Mannix, VP, EMEA Business Development, LSN

Life Science Nation’s (LSN) is bringing RESI back to Barcelona on Monday, April 1, at the InterContinental Hotel. Co-organized with Biocat, RESI Europe will feature an in-person conference followed by two days of virtual partnering on April 2-3. The event will include Investor Panels, the Innovator’s Pitch Challenge, and Entrepreneur Workshops led by industry experts. One-on-one partnering meetings will be available throughout all three days, providing valuable opportunities to connect.

RESI Europe will welcome investors from venture capital firms, big pharma, private equity, angel groups, family offices, and more. Investors invited and registered have been vetted by LSN’s investor research team to ensure alignment with the fundraising companies in attendance. The RESI Partnering Platform allows participants to efficiently match with the most relevant contacts, creating meaningful opportunities to build relationships and advance business goals.

With its global reach, RESI provides a premier platform for life science companies and investors to connect, whether in Barcelona or at upcoming RESI conferences. Take a look at some of the investors registered for RESI Europe, and make sure to register now for a chance to meet with them!

Rhythm Biotherapeutics: Innovator’s Pitch Challenge Winner Spotlight

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By Caitlin Dolegowski, Marketing Manager, LSN

CaitiRhythm Biotherapeutics is a pioneering biotech company addressing a critical healthcare challenge with a unique approach. In this interview, Founder and CEO Darryl Davis shares insights into the company’s mission, recent milestones, and future goals.

He also discusses his experience participating in the Innovator’s Pitch Challenge at RESI JPM, how it has influenced his fundraising journey, and the role of Canadian life science startups on the global stage.

Learn more about Rhythm Biotherapeutics and its path forward.

Hot Investor Mandate: Investment Arm of Global Asset Management Firm Invests Up to $20M in Medical Device and Digital Health Companies, Focusing on US and Europe

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A healthcare investment arm of a multi-strategy asset management firm focuses on early-stage opportunities in the medical device and digital health sectors, having invested approximately $250M USD in healthcare and medtech. The firm typically engages in Series A rounds and beyond, with check sizes ranging from $5M to $20M USD, and follow-on investments are a possibility. While the firm primarily focuses on the US (especially the Bay Area) and Europe, it remains open to global opportunities. 
 
The firm primarily considers opportunities in medical devices and digital health. Traditional asset-driven therapeutics are out of scope. The firm is agnostic to subsectors and indications but prefers disease areas with large addressable markets and companies with a clear reimbursement strategy. Some areas of interest include cardiovascular, ophthalmology, and diabetes. The fund typically evaluates clinical-stage opportunities but is open to considering design-stage companies, provided they have strong validation. 
 
The firm does not have specific requirements for a company’s founding team. However, the firm prefers founders with experience or a successful track record. 
 
If you are interested in more information about this investor and other investors tracked by LSN, please email salescore@lifesciencenation.com.