Fundraising Fox

Babel Ventures

Venture capital

San Francisco · Pre-Seed–Series A · 9 people tracked

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Investment thesis

Babel Ventures concentrates on early-stage consumer biotech, positioning itself as the first VC check in many of the companies it backs. The firm emphasizes a bold investment approach and a belief in groundbreaking ideas, pointing to a track record that includes companies going public and returns as high as 40x. Since launching in 2017, it has focused on supporting visionary entrepreneurs whose work drives innovation and contributes to a more sustainable future.

Source: firm website, verified Aug 3, 2026.

Stage
Pre-Seed–Series A
Check
$100K – $3M
HQ
San Francisco, California, US
Leads rounds
Follows
Instruments
Equity
Founded
2017
AUM
$26M
Tracked investments
20

Team · 9 people

from the firm's website & curated & public directories
Marcos Botelho· Partner

What they invest in

from 19 of 20 portfolio companies

Consumer ×9Biotech ×5Circular Economy ×5FoodTech ×5Healthtech ×5Direct to Consumer ×4Wellness & Fitness ×4AI & Machine Learning ×3

HQs:United States×9New Zealand×1

Who they back

founder profiles across 14 portfolio companies
57%
solo founders
8 of 14 mapped founding teams

Founding team size:solo founder×82 founders×43 founders×2

Accelerator rootsportfolio companies that came through a program

Y Combinator ×3

Investments · 20 tracked

founders shown can be your intro path

By year:2020 · 12018 · 12 dated

(occamzrazor.comoccamzrazor.com

Occam Razor develops drug discovery technology using digital science to target neurodegenerative diseases, focusing initially on Parkinson's disease and brain aging.

AI & Machine LearningBiotechDeep Tech

Co-investorsDaybreak PartnersDreamers VCLauder Partners

Bluelandblueland.comin

Blueland manufactures sustainable household cleaning products packaged in refillable, plastic-free formats.

Circular EconomyCleantechConsumer

Sarah Paiji Yoo(Co-Founder + CEO)John A. Mascari(Founder)in

Co-investorsAble PartnersBAM VenturesComcast VenturesTrust Fund468 CapitalBBG Ventures+3 more

Covecove.co

Cove is a material innovation company that designs and commercializes sustainable alternatives to conventional polluting materials for global consumer brands.

Circular EconomyCleantechClimate TechNew Materials

Alex Totterman(Founder and CEO)

Co-investors1/1 CapitalTrust Fund

Crossing Mindscrossingminds.comin

Crossing Minds built infrastructure for AI assistants focused on understanding user intents and preferences, with capabilities in personalization, retrieval-augmented generation, and real-time machine learning for applications requiring semantic understanding of user behavior.

AI & Machine LearningData & Infrastructure

Emile Contal(Founder)inAlexandre R.(Founder)in

Co-investorsIndex VenturesLerer Hippeau

Dirty Labsdirtylabs.comin

Dirty Labs makes bio enzyme laundry detergents and boosters using its Phytolase enzyme-based cleaning technology, offering nontoxic, biodegradable formulas as an alternative to conventional chemical cleaners.

CleantechConsumerDirect to ConsumerPortland, US

David Perry Watkins(Founder)

Co-investorsChamaeleonClover VitalityEntrée CapitalBullish

Finless Foodsfinlessfoods.comin

Finless Foods develops cell-cultivated seafood alternatives, starting with Pacific bluefin tuna, aimed at consumers seeking sustainable options that reduce pressure on wild fish stocks.

BiotechClimate TechFoodTech

Brandon Chen(Co-Founder & CEO)Brian Wyrwas(Co-Founder & CSO)Michael Selden(Co-Founder & Advisor)

Co-investorsAt One VenturesAurum Venture PartnersBlue Horizon CorporationBlue Revolution Investments G.P.Draper AssociatesEndurance28+8 more

Forever Labsforeverlabs.comin𝕏

Forever Labs operates a stem cell banking service that collects, processes, and cryopreserves adult stem cells from individuals for potential use in future regenerative therapies.

BiotechHealthtechLongevityAnn Arbor, US

Steven Clausnitzer(Founder/CEO)inEdward Cibor(Founder)Mark Katakowski(Founder/President & Chief Science Officer)in

Co-investorsFundersClubSilicon BadiaY CombinatorFCVC

Galygaly.coinJul 2020

GALY develops biocrafted alternatives to conventionally extracted materials like cocoa and cotton, positioning grown products as sustainable replacements for industries reliant on extractive supply chains.

AgTechBiotechCircular EconomyFoodTechNew MaterialsBoston, US

Luciano Bueno(Executive Officer, Director)

BoardCarmichael Roberts(Director)inRyan Panchadsaram(Director)

Co-investorsAgronomicsArtesianBreakthrough Energy VenturesBrincMaterial ImpactMundi Ventures+1 more

Goodfor.Cogoodfor.co.nz

Good For is a plastic-free grocery and wholefoods retailer selling package-free pantry staples through physical bulk-food stores and online, with a focus on refillable and low-waste shopping.

Circular EconomyConsumerE-commerceAuckland, NZ

Itsquimitsquim.com𝕏

A topical wellness product infused with hemp CBD and botanical oils designed for intimate body care and comfort during various life phases including menstruation, postpartum recovery, and general maintenance.

ConsumerDirect to ConsumerFemTechHealthtechWellness & Fitness

MadeMangetmademan.com

MadeMan offers a simplified, two-step skincare regimen designed for men who seek an efficient alternative to complex routines.

ConsumerDirect to ConsumerWellness & Fitness

Jeremy Gardner(Founder)

Co-investorsAusum Ventures

Mellowsgetmellows.com𝕏

Mellows is a cannabis edibles company that produces handcrafted, low-dose marshmallows designed for both flavor and aesthetic appeal.

ConsumerDirect to ConsumerFoodTech

Stephanie Hua(Founder and Chief Confectioner)

Mission Barnsmissionbarns.comin𝕏Nov 2018

Mission Barns produces cultivated meat products, primarily pork-based items like meatballs, bacon, and sausages, combining lab-grown pork fat with plant protein for consumers seeking sustainable alternatives to conventional meat.

Climate TechFoodTechBerkeley, US

Ilan Eitan Fischer(Executive Officer, Director)

BoardDavid Bowman(Director)

Co-investorsAir Street CapitalBetter Ventures Central LlcBloom8Blue Ledge CapitalJoyance PartnersLever VC+6 more

Mogulonmogul.comin

Mogul is an advisory, executive training, and search firm that helps large companies with AI transformation, leadership development, and C-suite/board placement through fractional AI & HR leadership, signature training programs, and technology-supported executive search.

AI & Machine LearningFuture of WorkHR Tech

Tiffany Pham

Co-investorsSoftBank Group500 GlobalAlpha Startups Pre-AcceleratorCityPark InvestmentsClick VenturesRanch Ventures+2 more

Nabisnabis.comin

Nabis is a cannabis wholesale platform that supplies branded products to dispensaries across California, New York, and Nevada.

B2B MarketplacesEnterprise SoftwareFintechLogistics & Supply ChainMarketplacesSan Francisco, US

Vince Ning(Founder)inJun S. Lee(Founder)in

Co-investorsAngel Collective Opportunity FundArtemis Growth PartnersDelta Emerald VenturesEmles Venture PartnersJourneyOne VenturesOutbound Ventures+4 more

Quinntryquinn.com

Quinn is a mobile app offering audio erotica content, organized by creators and categories.

ConsumerCreator EconomyMedia & EntertainmentWellness & Fitness

Co-investorsGreat Oaks Venture CapitalMontage CapitalTq Ventures LlcProgressionViola FinTech

Snacktbhsnacktbh.com
Vitagenevitagene.com

HealthtechSan Francisco, US

Mehdi Maghsoodnia(Executive Officer, Director)Reza Malek(Executive Officer, Director)

BoardLyon Wong(Director)

Wild Earthwildearth.com𝕏

Wild Earth manufactures plant-based dog food formulated to meet nutritional standards while reducing environmental impact compared to traditional meat-based pet food.

Circular EconomyConsumerFoodTechHealthtech

Co-investorsAt One VenturesBig Idea VenturesCivilization Ventures Management, LlcMaC Venture CapitalOssian CapitalSimon Capital+2 more

ZBioticszbiotics.comin𝕏

Z Biotic develops genetically engineered probiotics designed to improve daily health and wellbeing.

BiotechConsumerHealthtechWellness & FitnessSan Francisco, US

Stephen Lamb(Founder)inZack Abbott(CEO)

Co-investorsAble PartnersChampion Hill VenturesFundamental VenturesGoat Rodeo CapitalHyperguapInnovation Global Capital+6 more

Portfolio news

latest coverage across their companies

Frequently asked questions

How many investments has Babel Ventures made?
Babel Ventures has 19 tracked investments.
What stage does Babel Ventures invest at?
Babel Ventures invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A stages.
What is Babel Ventures's typical check size?
Babel Ventures typically writes checks of $100K – $3M.
What sectors does Babel Ventures focus on?
Babel Ventures focuses on Biotech, Consumer, Deep Tech, FoodTech, Impact & Social Good, New Materials.
Where is Babel Ventures located?
Babel Ventures is headquartered in San Francisco, US.
Does Babel Ventures lead rounds?
Babel Ventures typically participates in rounds rather than leading them.
Who does Babel Ventures co-invest with?
Babel Ventures most often shares deals with Y Combinator, Able Partners, At One Ventures, among 70 tracked co-investors.

Media · Podcasts & interviews

featuring the team

Ryan Bethencourt - BABEL VENTURES

Babel Ventures · Ryan Bethencourt

Ryan Bethencourt for NEW ECONOMY - trailer(StartSe and BABEL VENTURES)

Babel Ventures · Ryan Bethencourt

Co-investors · 9

Social Starts

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Big Idea Ventures

Big Idea Ventures is a venture capital fund with startup accelerators focused on solving global challenges in the food innovation space. The firm operates accelerator programs twice yearly across New York City, Singapore, and Paris, investing in alternative protein and food technology startups.

Both backed · 1
$125K – $2.5M
Blue Horizon Corporation

Blue Horizon Corporation is an investment firm focused on accelerating the transition to a sustainable food system, aiming to deliver strong returns for people and the planet.

Both backed · 1
Techstars

Techstars is a startup accelerator and early-stage investor that funds ambitious founders and provides capital, mentorship, and access to a global network of investors, operators, and corporate partners.

$220K
Mayfield Fund

Mayfield is a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage consumer and marketplace companies, backing founders from inception through IPO.

$500K – $12M
Pioneer

Pioneer Fund is a venture capital firm investing in the top Y Combinator startups.

Awesome People Ventures

Awesome People Ventures operates as a decentralized VC fund using a network of deal partners and contributors to source and vet investments, while giving carry to core contributors beyond just the GP to mirror web3's community ownership ethos. The fund focuses on investing in awesome people building awesome things in web3 with a world-positive mandate, and is backed by iconic crypto investors including Chris Dixon, Marc Andreessen/a16z, and Multicoin.

$50K – $250K
Makers Fund

Makers Fund is a global venture capital firm focused on games and interactive entertainment, backing early-stage founders.

$500K – $40M
Better Capital

Better Capital is an India-focused early-stage venture investor backing startups across sectors including consumer, mobility, fintech, edtech, ecommerce and gaming.

$5K – $100K

Firms observed investing alongside Babel Ventures, from public investor directories. Shared companies are the overlap with Babel Ventures's recorded portfolio.

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