Who founded CellType?

CellType was founded by David van Dijk, Ivan Vrkic in 2025.

Who are CellType's investors?

CellType's investors include ACVC Partners, Eight Capital, Pioneer, Y Combinator, ZAKA VC, 0 AD, Batch Ventures, ETA Capital Partners and 12 more.

Where is CellType headquartered?

CellType is headquartered in New York City, US.

CellType

YC W26

New York City, US · Founded 2025 · 5 employees · Hiring · 20 known investors

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CellType uses AI agents and biological models to automate drug discovery, having identified a novel cancer treatment signal and partnering with major pharmaceutical companies.

Also known as Contextual Bio

Biotech HealthtechUnited States of AmericaAmerica / Canada

Founders & leadership· Y Combinator alumni (W26)

CellType was founded in 2025 by David van Dijk and Ivan Vrkic.

David van Dijk Co-Founder & CEODavid van Dijk holds a position as professor at Yale and has contributed to biological foundation models research. He is co-founder and CEO of CellType.

Ivan Vrkic Co-FounderHe studied machine learning at Yale and EPFL, contributed to Cell2Sentence research published at ICML, and previously led foundation model training at a biotech startup and developed software for CERN's Large Hadron Collider.

Investors · 20

ACVC Partnerslisted by ACVC PartnersSilicon Valley

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Eight Capitallisted by Eight CapitalNorwalk

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Pioneerlisted by PioneerToronto, Ontario

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Y Combinatorlisted by Y CombinatorSan Francisco · $500K

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ZAKA VClisted by ZAKA VCSan Francisco

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0 ADreported

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Batch Venturesreported

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ETA Capital PartnersreportedBoston

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Exit Venturesreported

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Founders FactoryreportedLondon · $150K – $200K

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Lombardstreet VenturesreportedWoodside · $500K

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MA7 VenturesreportedAlmaty · $150K – $1M

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OurCrowdreportedJerusalem

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Perpetual VCreportedNew York

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RobinhoodreportedMenlo Park

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SAV (Scale Asia Ventures)reportedPalo Alto

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SGH CapitalreportedParis

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Tabula Rasa Venturesreported$50K – $1M

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Trivest Family OfficesreportedCoral Gables

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Related companies · 2

OupOxford University Press (OUP) provides dictionary data, language datasets, and lexical content in over 60 languages to power digital literacy tools, educational software, gaming platforms, and media experiences. The company works across reading apps, word games, quiz shows, and broadcast media to expand access to language learning and comprehension.

10x Genomics10x Genomics offers single cell analysis technology, including its Flex assay and Flex Apex product, which use probe-based chemistry and plate-based multiplexing to profile fresh, frozen, and FFPE samples for researchers. The tools support applications in cancer, immunology, and neuroscience, enabling gene expression and multiomic profiling of cell surface protein, intracellular protein, and CRISPR guides.

Companies working in the same space as CellType.

Legal entities · 1

corporate structure

CellType Inc.

In the news

CellType: The Agentic Drug Companyycombinator.com · Feb 2026

Frequently asked questions

What does CellType do?: CellType uses AI agents and biological models to automate drug discovery, having identified a novel cancer treatment signal and partnering with major pharmaceutical companies.
Who founded CellType?: CellType was founded by David van Dijk, Ivan Vrkic in 2025.
Who are CellType's investors?: CellType's investors include ACVC Partners, Eight Capital, Pioneer, Y Combinator, ZAKA VC, 0 AD, Batch Ventures, ETA Capital Partners and 12 more.
Where is CellType headquartered?: CellType is headquartered in New York City, US.