Avak Kahvejian
InvestorGeneral Partner at Flagship Pioneering
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Writes $500K – $15M checks · typically $7M
About
Avak Kahvejian, a venture investor who often serves as founding CEO of biotechs he helps create, leverages Helicos single-molecule sequencing experience to build programmable medicine platforms via internal company creation.
Invests in
AgTechAI & Machine LearningBiotechClimate TechFoodTechHealthtech
Experience
- Flagship PioneeringPresident, Flagship Labscurrent2026 — presentCambridge, Massachusetts, United States
- Flagship PioneeringGeneral Partnercurrent2020 — present
- Flagship PioneeringPartner2011 — 2020Cambridge, MA
- EtiomeBoard Membercurrent2024 — presentCambridge, Massachusetts, United States
- EtiomeFounding CEO2024 — 2026
- Ampersand BiomedicinesChairman of the Boardcurrent2021 — presentBoston, Massachusetts, United States
- Ampersand BiomedicinesFounding CEO2021 — 2023Boston, Massachusetts, United States
- ProFound TherapeuticsChairman of the Boardcurrent2020 — present
- ProFound TherapeuticsFounding CEO2020 — 2023Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
- CellarityBoard Membercurrent2017 — present
- CellarityFounding CEO2017 — 2020
- Ring TherapeuticsChairman of the Boardcurrent2021 — presentCambridge, Massachusetts, United States
- Ring TherapeuticsBoard Membercurrent2017 — present
- Ring TherapeuticsFounding CEO2017 — 2020
- AbiologicsFounding CEO and Board Member2021 — 2026Boston, Massachusetts, United States
- Sail BiomedicinesBoard Member2017 — 2025
- Sail BiomedicinesFounding CEO2017 — 2020Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
- Generate Biomedicines, Inc.Board Member2018 — 2021
- Generate Biomedicines, Inc.Founding Co-CEO2017 — 2021Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
- Cygnal TherapeuticsBoard Member2017 — 2021
Education
- McGill UniversityPh.D., Biochemistry
- McGill UniversityB.Sc., Biochemistry
- Marianopolis CollegeDEC, General Sciences
- Collège StanislasDES - High School
Skills & more
Biotechnology87Lifesciences42Start-ups63Commercialization28Molecular Biology18Genomics22R&D16Product Development7Strategic Planning9Drug Discovery6Medical Devices14Business Development27
+12 more
SalesProduct ManagementProject ManagementCross-functional Team LeadershipEntrepreneurshipBioinformaticsBiopharmaceuticalsDNAMolecular DiagnosticsSequencingLife SciencesResearch and Development (R&D)Languages Armenian · English · French
From Avak's professional profile.
Colleagues at Flagship Pioneering
Network1
Investors connected to Avak in public investor directories — a warm-intro map.
Frequently asked questions
- Where does Avak Kahvejian work?
- Avak Kahvejian is General Partner at Flagship Pioneering.
- What does Avak Kahvejian invest in?
- Avak Kahvejian invests in AgTech, AI & Machine Learning, Biotech, Climate Tech, FoodTech, Healthtech.
- What check size does Avak Kahvejian write?
- Avak Kahvejian typically writes checks of $500K – $15M.
Founder mafias
McGill University mafia79
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Noubar AfeyanBSFounded ProFound Therapeutics +12Jeffrey KarpBENGFounded Tissium +3Serge MesserlianMaster of Science - MScFounded Creyon +1Natalia BakaevaArtsFounded cashew +1Jonathan LimMDFounded Boundless Bio +1Jules TestardB.Sc HonoursFounded Piepacker +1
+ 72 more
Flagship Pioneering mafia14
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Noubar AfeyanManaging PartnerFounded ProFound Therapeutics +12Geoffrey von MaltzahnGeneral PartnerFounded Sienna Biopharmaceuticals +5Christian SchadeGrowth PartnerFounded Halda Therapeutics +2Phillip SamayoaVentureLabs Entrepreneurial FellowFounded Codiak BioSciences +2Ignacio MartinezPartnerFounded Cibo Technologies +1Sebastian TrousilSenior AssociateFounded City Therapeutics +1
+ 7 more
Marianopolis College mafia6
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Cellarity mafia3
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Codiak BioSciences mafia3
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Same school
Also attended McGill University412
Harley FinkelsteinInvestor at Felicis VenturesMattias LjungmanInvestor at Moonfire VenturesNoubar AfeyanInvestor at Flagship PioneeringDavid NaultGeneral Partner at Luge CapitalLaviva MazharPrincipal at Luge CapitalLisa PurcellInvestor at Third Rock Ventures
+ 406 more
Also attended Marianopolis College22
NathanielHead of Operations at BoxOne VenturesSteven ChungVice President at Inovia CapitalInès HolzbaurFounder and Managing Partner at AmorChemAdrian SchauerInvestor at Klass CapitalElisabeth LaettInvestor at Holt XchangeJulien KathiresanHead of Finance at Mistral Venture Partners
+ 16 more
Also attended Collège Stanislas6
Matthieu LattesGeneral Partner at White Star CapitalAlejandra Duran GilPartner at Quadrille CapitalJean HastingsSenior Associate at Supernova InvestLaurent Féral-PierssensMentor at Amiral VenturesJean B. PéladeauVice-President, Operational Convergence | Quebecor at asterXOriane JunckerState Manager - QLD & ACT at Radium Capital
Shared employers
Also worked at Flagship Pioneering74
Anika GuptaInvestor at GV (Google Ventures)Noubar AfeyanInvestor at Flagship PioneeringSamir KaulInvestor at Khosla VenturesCassidy BlundellPartner at Mission BiocapitalDavid KoleskyPrincipal at MPM BioImpactDiana BernsteinDirector at Northpond Ventures
+ 68 more
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