SciFounders
San Francisco · Pre-Seed–Series A · 3 people tracked
Investment thesis
SciFounders focuses on backing technical founders building research-heavy companies with transformative potential. The firm brings deep experience in building science-focused ventures, evidenced by prior company-building successes. The firm supports founders from the earliest stages through Series A and offers structured mentorship and capital via its fellowship program to accelerate technology development and commercialization.
Source: firm website, verified Jul 20, 2026.
Team · 3 people
from the firm's websitePhD in Molecular Biology from University of Cambridge with research focused on alternative causes of neurodegeneration. Previously worked in the Research & Early Development group at Genentech before co-founding SciFounders.
Co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Mammoth Biosciences, developing next-generation CRISPR gene editing therapies. Holds a PhD in Biochemistry from UC Berkeley, where he studied in the laboratory of Nobel Laureate Jennifer Doudna.
CEO of Conception, a company focused on converting pluripotent stem cells into viable human eggs. Previously served as director of Y Combinator Research and was a founding team member of OpenAI, with advisory and investment experience across over 150 startups.
What they invest in
from 2 of 5 portfolio companiesBiotech ×2Digital Health ×2Healthtech ×2Medical Devices ×1
HQs:United States×2
Investments · 5 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathLuminate develops medical device technology to address chemotherapy side effects, particularly hair loss and peripheral neuropathy, for oncology patients and healthcare providers. The company is advancing clinical-stage devices while supporting cancer patients, clinicians, and health systems.
BiotechDigital HealthHealthtechMedical DevicesGalway, US
Aaron Hannon(Co-founder)inBarbara Oliveira(Founder)inDr. Bárbara Oliveira(Co-founder)Prof. Martin O'Halloran(Co-founder)
EngageBio develops DNA-based medicines using proprietary non-viral delivery technology to achieve extended therapeutic expression from a single dose with low manufacturing complexity.
BiotechDigital HealthHealthtechSan Francisco, US
Will Olsen(Founder)in
Frequently asked questions
- What stage does SciFounders invest at?
- SciFounders invests at the Pre-Seed, Series A stages.
- What is SciFounders's typical check size?
- SciFounders typically writes checks of $1M.
- What sectors does SciFounders focus on?
- SciFounders focuses on Deep Tech.
- Where is SciFounders located?
- SciFounders is headquartered in San Francisco, US.
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