Fundraising Fox
Babel Ventures
Venture capitalSan Francisco · Pre-Seed–Series A · 7 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.
Team · 7 people
from the firm's website & public directories
Founder mafia
2 people who came through Babel Ventures went on to found or lead other companies.
What they invest in
from 28 of 37 portfolio companiesConsumer ×13FoodTech ×12Biotech ×9Healthtech ×9Direct to Consumer ×7Wellness & Fitness ×7Circular Economy ×6Climate Tech ×5
HQs:United States×16New Zealand×1Philippines×1Singapore×1
Who they back
founder profiles across 15 portfolio companiesFounding team size:solo founder×62 founders×43 founders×34+ founders×2
Where their founders studiedfrom 17 founders with education data
Harvard Business School ×4Langley High School ×2Princeton University ×2Stanford University ×2University of Massachusetts Amherst ×2Yale University ×2
What their founders studiedfrom 16 founders with field-of-study data
Life Sciences ×6Business & Management ×4Computer Science ×4Economics ×3Politics & Policy ×3Mathematics & Statistics ×2Medicine ×2
Where their founders worked beforefrom 19 founders with career history
Venture Investment Associates ×3Goldman Sachs ×2Google ×2OpenAI ×2
Accelerator rootsportfolio companies that came through a program
Investments · 37 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathBy year:2023 · 12022 · 12021 · 22020 · 52019 · 32018 · 113 dated
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 VCLanx CapitalLauder PartnersPositive VenturesWPSS Investments
BioAesthetics develops NACgraft, a cell-free, collagen-rich nipple-areolar complex graft that a surgeon applies so the patient's own cells integrate it into living nipple and areola tissue.
BiotechHealthtechMedical DevicesNew Materials
Juliana Blum(CEO & Director)Billy Heim(COO)in
Co-investorsFemHealth VenturesHemi Ventures, LlcJoyance PartnersNew Orleans Startup FundThe Launch PlaceIndieBio+1 more
Blueland manufactures sustainable household cleaning products packaged in refillable, plastic-free formats.
Circular EconomyCleantechConsumer
Sarah Paiji Yoo(Co-Founder + CEO)inJohn A. Mascari(Founder)in
Co-investorsAble PartnersBAM VenturesComcast VenturesTrust Fund468 CapitalBBG Ventures+4 more
California Dreamin makes cannabis-infused beverages as an alternative to alcoholic drinks.
ConsumerFoodTechSacramento, US
Amy Bishop(Founder)inPeter Bishop(Founder)in
Co-investorsY CombinatorBits x BitesCherubic VenturesHanmi HealthcareOrthogonal Thinker Inc.Venture Investment Associates+1 more
Cove is a material innovation company that designs and commercializes sustainable alternatives to conventional polluting materials for global consumer brands.
Circular EconomyCleantechClimate TechNew MaterialsVenice, US
Alex Totterman(Founder and CEO)inJonathan Shulkin(Director)Justin Guilibert(Director)Peter Rahal(Director)Bradley Paris(Executive Officer)Theodore Kogan(Executive Officer)
Co-investors1/1 CapitalTrust FundValor Equity Partners
Palo Alto, US
Andy Szybalski(Founder)Mike Chu(Founder)Stephen Chau(Founder)
Co-investorsAdverb VenturesHomebrewSequoia CapitalAntlerEarly Light Ventures
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 HippeauPartech VenturesStartX
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)in
Co-investorsBullishChamaeleonClover VitalityEntrée Capital
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)inBrian Wyrwas(Co-Founder & CSO)inMichael Selden(Co-Founder & Advisor)in
Co-investorsAt One VenturesAurum Venture PartnersBlue Horizon CorporationBlue Revolution Investments G.P.Draper AssociatesEndurance28+11 more
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(CEO)inEdward Cibor(Partner)inMark Katakowski(President \u0026 Chief Science Officer)inSean Robenalt
Co-investorsFundersClubSilicon BadiaY CombinatorAgrolimen VenturesAtain Specialty Insurance CorpAyon Capital+9 more
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(Founder)inAmancio Ortega. Known for(Founder)Tim Draper(Founder)
BoardCarmichael Roberts(Director)inRyan Panchadsaram(Director)
Co-investorsAgronomicsArtesianBreakthrough Energy VenturesBrincMaterial ImpactMundi Ventures+3 more
A New Zealand-based chain of physical stores offering refillable pantry and household goods, as well as sustainable lifestyle products, designed to reduce packaging waste.
Circular EconomyConsumerE-commerceFoodTechImpact & Social GoodRetail TechAuckland, NZ
Co-investorsSoma Capital
High Time Foods produces traditional Indian snacks (tikki, samosa, momo) formulated with increased protein content, addressing nutritional accessibility for the Indian market.
FoodTechHealthtechWellness & FitnessCambridge, US
Co-investorsSustainable Food VenturesTBD AngelsTechstarsAvaana Capital
Alan Iván Ramos(Founder)Àlex Puiggrós(Founder)
Co-investorsSustainable Food Ventures
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
MeliBio is a California-based biotech company that develops plant-based honey alternatives using proprietary plant-science technology to replace commercial honeybees, addressing food security and supply chain challenges while supporting native pollinator biodiversity.
AgTechBiotechFoodTechSan Francisco, US
Darko Mandich(Founder)Dr. Aaron Schaller(Co-Founder & CTO)Aaron Schaller(Founder)Darko M(Founder)
Co-investorsAlumni VenturesBig Idea VenturesCollaborative FundJoyance PartnersJuniperSustainable Food Ventures+2 more
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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)Eitan Fischer(Founder)
BoardDavid Bowman(Founder)
Co-investorsAir Street CapitalBetter Ventures Central LlcBloom8Blue Ledge CapitalJoyance PartnersLever VC+9 more
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Mogul is an advisory, executive search, and training firm that helps large companies find senior leaders and develop them through AI-personalized leadership programs.
AI & Machine LearningFuture of WorkHR Tech
Co-investorsSoftBank Group500 GlobalAlpha Startups Pre-AcceleratorCityPark InvestmentsClick VenturesRanch Ventures+3 more
Nabis is a cannabis wholesale platform that supplies branded products to dispensaries across California, New York, and Nevada.
AgTechB2B MarketplacesEnterprise SoftwareFintechLogistics & Supply ChainMarketplacesSaaSSan Francisco, US
Vince Ning(Founder)inJun S. Lee(Co-CEO and Co-Founder)inVince C. Ning(Co-founder)inJun Lee(Founder)Vince Ning Jun Lee(Founder)Anthony Sabbagh(Finance Intern)
Co-investorsAngel Collective Opportunity FundArtemis Growth PartnersDelta Emerald VenturesEmles Venture PartnersFJ LabsJourneyOne Ventures+17 more
Nebia manufactures shower fixtures and accessories, including showerheads and shower arms.
CleantechClimate TechConsumerHardwareSan Francisco, US
Philip Winter(CEO)inCarlos Gomez Andonaegui(Founder)inGabriel Parisi-Amon(President)inRyan Maxwell(Business Operations Manager)
Co-investorsEndurance28Y CombinatorDay One VenturesFalkon VenturesJaws VenturesStartX+2 more
Quinn is an AI research service that synthesizes biological, clinical, and competitive evidence from published literature and databases to answer drug development questions for biotech companies.
AI & Machine LearningBiotechDeep TechHealthtechSan Francisco, US
Daniel Gomari(CEO)inMichael Snyder(Co-founder, PhD, Chair of Genetics at Stanford)Brent LaRue(Co-founder, CPO)inElisa Benedetti(Science Lead)Katherine Reyes(Ops)
Co-investorsY CombinatorAmino CapitalFAST — by GETTYLABFundament SyndicateGoodwater CapitalHummingbird Ventures+7 more
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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
Shiok Meats grows shrimp and other seafood through cellular agriculture, cultivating animal tissue in laboratories rather than harvesting from wild or farmed sources.
BiotechClimate TechFoodTechHealthtechSingapore, SG
Ling Ka Yi(Founder)inSandhya Sriram(CEO)in
Co-investorsBig Idea VenturesEntrepreneur FirstSustainable Food VenturesVegInvestY CombinatorAera VC+24 more
Vitagene offers at-home test kits that analyze DNA, inflammation markers, and other health indicators, delivering results online in plain language.
Digital HealthDirect to ConsumerHealthtechWellness & FitnessSan Francisco, US
Mehdi Maghsoodnia(Executive Officer, Director)inReza Malek(Executive Officer, Director)
BoardLyon Wong(Director)
Co-investorsViking Global Investors
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
Ryan Bethencourt(Founder)inRon Shigeta(Founder)inAbril Estrada(Founder)Kristin Wuhrman(Founder)
Co-investorsAt One VenturesBig Idea VenturesBlue Horizon CorporationCivilization Ventures Management, LlcEvolution VC PartnersMaC Venture Capital+4 more
Wilde Earth Pets sells plant-based dog food formulated for canine nutrition and marketed as an ethical, humane product.
Circular EconomyConsumerDirect to ConsumerE-commerceFoodTechWellness & Fitness
Ernie Ward(Founder)Ron Shigeta(Founder)Ryan Bethencourt(Founder)
Co-investorsBlue Horizon CorporationR/GA VenturesVegInvestAt One VenturesCivilization Ventures Management, LlcCross Culture Ventures
WTH Foods makes 100% plant-based meat alternatives under its UMANI brand, offering South-East Asian-inspired products for health- and sustainability-conscious consumers.
ConsumerDirect to ConsumerFoodTech
Co-investorsBig Idea Ventures
Z Biotic develops genetically engineered probiotics designed to improve daily health and wellbeing.
BiotechConsumerHealthtechWellness & FitnessSan Francisco, US
Stephen Lamb(Founder)inZack Abbott(CEO)Louise Qi(Chief of Staff)Melissa Hines(Director of People Ops)Geneva Alewine(Recruiting Coordinator)Todd Jones(Senior Director of Omnichannel Strategy)
Co-investorsAble PartnersChampion Hill VenturesFJ LabsFundamental VenturesGoat Rodeo CapitalHyperguap+18 more
Other
Tracked investments with no reachable website or further public details — typically companies that wound down, renamed, or were absorbed.
Evo FoodsMatchboxQuimSnacktbhSobo FoodstbhVeggie Victory
Exits · 3
3 acquisitions · showing 1MeliBioacq. by FoodYoung Labs
Frequently asked questions
- How many investments has Babel Ventures made?
- Babel Ventures has 37 tracked investments, 3 of which have exited.
- 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, At One Ventures, FJ Labs, among 88 tracked co-investors.
Media · Podcasts & interviews
featuring the teamRyan Bethencourt - BABEL VENTURES
Babel Ventures · Ryan Bethencourt
Ryan Bethencourt for NEW ECONOMY - trailer(StartSe and BABEL VENTURES)
Babel Ventures · Ryan Bethencourt
Co-investors · 9
Big Idea Ventures is a venture capital fund and accelerator focused on the new food space, backing early-stage companies in alternative protein, ingredients, agri-tech and materials science globally.
Social Starts is a group of early-stage venture funds that applies a data-driven, analytics-based methodology to identify and back promising companies in high-potential segments. Its current fund, Social Starts Health and Happiness, targets startups focused on helping people live longer and better.
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.
Techstars is a global startup accelerator and early-stage investor that funds and mentors ambitious founders, providing $220K in capital, a three-month program, and access to a worldwide network of mentors, investors, and corporate partners.
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.
Makers Fund is a global venture capital firm focused on games and interactive entertainment, backing early-stage founders.
Mayfield is a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage consumer and marketplace companies, backing founders from inception through IPO.
Better Capital is a global venture capital firm that backs bold innovators from day zero, with a portfolio focused largely on Indian startups.
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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