Fundraising Fox
Polaris Genomics
5 known investors
Find your way into Polaris Genomics
Sign up to see every warm intro you have to Polaris Genomics
- Paths you didn't know you had: your email and LinkedIn already hold routes to the Polaris Genomics team. We find them for you
- 2nd- and 3rd-degree connections: the friend-of-a-friend routes that take hours to manually find through your inbox or LinkedIn
- Answers now, not in days: momentum is everything in a raise. Skip asking around whether someone knows someone
Days of research, done the moment you sign in, with every route ranked by how warm it is.
Polaris Genomics is a Veteran-owned biotech startup mapping molecular biomarkers to develop objective, biologically-based diagnostics and novel therapeutics for mental health and neuropsychiatric conditions such as PTSD. It combines genomics and AI to advance precision mental health care.
Founders & leadership
CC
Charles CathlinCo-founder & Chief Executive OfficerCharles Cathlin served over 20 years as a military and public health engineer in roles including the US Air Force, Office of the Secretary of Health, FDA, and a TBI Center of Excellence. He studied engineering at the Air Force Academy, public health at Uniformed Services University, and entrepreneurship at Stanford Graduate School of Business and Johns Hopkins Carey School of Business, and founded Polaris Genomics in 2017 to develop genomics-based diagnostics and therapeutics for mental health and neuropsychiatric conditions.
TC
Tshaka CunninghamCo-founder & Director of Research & DevelopmentTshaka Cunningham is Co-founder and Director of Research & Development at Polaris Genomics, a biotech startup developing molecular biomarker-based diagnostics for mental health and neuropsychiatric conditions. He holds a BA in Molecular Biology from Princeton University and a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Virology, and Immunology from Rockefeller University, with prior experience in government, academic, non-profit, and pharmaceutical settings.
FM
Frank MastronuzziChief Financial Officer
Investors · 5
Maryland TEDCOlisted by Maryland TEDCOColumbia · $500K – $1.5M
How we know: Maryland TEDCO's portfolio page · Not right? Tell us
Wavemaker Three-Sixty HealthreportedLos Angeles · $500K – $2M
How we know: the VCSheet dataset · Not right? Tell us
Also in the syndicate · 1
Wavemaker 360
Funding
SEC filings, press & company announcements- Undisclosed amountSeed Round ExtensionNov 2023
TEDCO, Viking Global, Wavemaker 360
Source ↗
Source: company announcements and press reports — follow each round's link for the claim.
Related companies · 7
Genomics PlcGenomics builds a genotype-phenotype database and genetic risk-prediction tools used to support pharmaceutical drug discovery and clinical trials, as well as population health management and clinical decision support for healthcare providers. It serves life sciences companies and healthcare systems through its Life Sciences and Health & Wellness divisions.
HelixHelix is a population genomics company that provides an end-to-end platform to integrate genomic data into clinical care, research, and therapeutic development. It partners with health systems, providers, payers, life sciences organizations, and patients to enable genetic screening and personalized healthcare at scale.
NeoGenomicsNeoGenomics develops diagnostic tests and tools for cancer care, including tests for immunotherapy response monitoring, therapy selection, and minimal residual disease detection.
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.
Phase GenomicsPhase Genomics develops long-range genome sequencing technology based on proximity ligation, along with computational tools, for scientists studying cancer, inherited diseases, microbiomes, and biodiversity. It serves academic and research institutions and biopharmaceutical firms across life sciences, medicine, and agriculture.
LabcorpLabCorp provides diagnostic testing services and clinical trial recruitment solutions that connect patient insights to drug development for healthcare providers.
IDbyDNAScalable, high throughput DNA sequencing platforms.
Companies working in the same space as Polaris Genomics.
Non-dilutive funding · 2 SBIR/STTR awards
Federal grants — no equity taken| Agency | Phase | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Air ForceAir Force | Phase II | 2023 | $1.2M |
| U.S. Air ForceAir Force | Phase I | 2022 | $49.8K |
Source: SBIR.gov award data (U.S. Small Business Administration). SBIR/STTR awards are competitive federal R&D grants and contracts — non-dilutive capital alongside any venture rounds above.
In the news
Frequently asked questions
- What does Polaris Genomics do?
- Polaris Genomics is a Veteran-owned biotech startup mapping molecular biomarkers to develop objective, biologically-based diagnostics and novel therapeutics for mental health and neuropsychiatric conditions such as PTSD. It combines genomics and AI to advance precision mental health care.
- Who founded Polaris Genomics?
- Polaris Genomics was founded by Charles Cathlin, Tshaka Cunningham.
- Who are Polaris Genomics's investors?
- Polaris Genomics's investors include Maryland TEDCO, TEDCO, Viking Global, Wavemaker Three-Sixty Health.