Hanson S. Gifford, III
InvestorPartner at Lightstone Ventures
Redwood City, California
Writes $100K β $5M checks Β· typically $1.5M
About
Hanson S. Gifford, III is a managing partner at a medical-device incubator who, since 1998, has founded and led startups and focuses on medical-device deals, with hands-on early-stage operating experience.
Invests in
BiotechHealthtechMedical Devices
Experience
- The FoundryCEO / Managing Partnercurrent1998 β presentMenlo Park, CA
- Lightstone VenturesPartnercurrent2013 β presentMenlo Park, California, United States
- Apreo Health, Inc.Co-Founder and Board Membercurrent2021 β presentMenlo Park, California, United States
- Mavericks Endo, Inc.Co-Founder and Board Chairmancurrent2021 β presentMenlo Park, California, United States
- FIRE1 FoundryFounder, Founding President and CEO, Board Membercurrent2013 β presentCounty Dublin, Ireland
- Tangible ScienceBoard Membercurrent2015 β presentRedwood City, California, United States
- Reprieve CardiovascularBoard Membercurrent2020 β presentMilford, Massachusetts, United States
- Contego Medical, LLCBoard Membercurrent2020 β presentRaleigh, North Carolina, United States
- Half Moon Medical (The Foundry)Founder, Founding President and CEO, Board Chairman2017 β 2025Menlo Park, California, United States
- Allay TherapeuticsCo-Founder, Board Member2016 β 2020Menlo Park, California, United States
- Cotera, Inc.Co-Founder, Founding President and CEO, Board Member2010 β 2018Menlo Park, California, United States
- NUVAIRA, Inc.Co-Founder and Board Member2010 β 2017
- Miramar LabsCo-Founder, Board Member2006 β 2017Santa Clara, California, United States
- ForSight VISION5 (now Allergan)Co-Founder, Board Member2010 β 2016Menlo Park, California, United States
- ForSight VISION4, Inc.Co-Founder, Board Member2009 β 2016Menlo Park, California, United States
- TwelveCo-Founder, Founding President and CEO, Board Member2009 β 2015
- ForSight Labs, LLCCo-Founder, Partner2005 β 2015Menlo Park, California, United States
- Nexis Vision, Inc.Co-Founder, Board Member2007 β 2014Menlo Park, California, United States
- Cabochon AestheticsCo-Founder, Board Member2005 β 2014Menlo Park, California, United States
- The Foundry, NewCo XICo-Founder, Board Member2008 β 2013Menlo Park, California, United States
- Ardian, Inc.Co-Founder, Founding President and CEO, Board Chairman2004 β 2011Palo Alto, California, United States
- Concentric Medical, Inc.Co-Founder, Board Member1999 β 2011Mountain View, California, United States
- Evalve, Inc. [a wholly owned subsidiary of Abbott Vascular, Inc.]Co-Founder, Board Member1999 β 2009Menlo Park, California, United States
- Transcend MedicalCo-Founder, Founding CEO2005 β 2009Menlo Park, California, United States
- Emphasys MedicalCo-Founder, Board Member2000 β 2009Redwood City, California, United States
- Forsight Newco IICo-Founder, President and CEO2006 β 2007Menlo Park, California, United States
- CierraCo-Founder, Board Member2003 β 2007Redwood City, California, United States
- XTENT, Inc.Co-Founder2002 β 2004Menlo Park, California, United States
- Satiety, Inc.Co-Founder2001 β 2003Palo Alto, California, United States
- First To FileCo-Founder, Board Member2000 β 2002Menlo Park, California, United States
- HEARTPORT, INC.Vice President of R&D1993 β 1998Redwood City, California, United States
- Bavaria Medizin Technologie, GmbHCofounder, Managing Director1992 β 1993Oberpfaffenhofen, Bavaria, Germany
- Cardiovascular Therapeutic Technologies, Inc.Co-Founder, President1991Menlo Park, California, United States
- Devices for Vascular Intervention Inc.Engineer, Project Manager, Clinical Specialist, Marketing1985 β 1990Redwood City, California, United States
- Oximetrix IncDesign Engineer1983 β 1984Mountain View, California, United States
- General DynamicsLanding Gear Design Engineer1982 β 1983Fort Worth, Texas, United States
Skills & more
420+ Issued US Patents7Medical Devices99FDA20Venture Capital32Start-ups90Cross-functional Team Leadership11R&D28Product Development81Market Development7Intellectual Property2Mergers1Commercialization54
+12 more
StrategyBusiness StrategyProduct LaunchLifesciencesISO 13485Biomedical EngineeringPatentsProduct DesignLeadershipStrategic PlanningEntrepreneurshipBusiness DevelopmentFrom Hanson's professional profile.
Colleagues at Lightstone Ventures
Caroline Gaynor
Partner at Lightstone Ventures
Christina Isacson
Partner at Lightstone Ventures
Christina Isacson, Ph.D.
Partner at Lightstone Ventures
Doug Treco
Advisor at Lightstone Ventures
Doug Treco, Ph.D.
Advisor at Lightstone Ventures
Frank D. Lee
Advisor at Lightstone Ventures
H. Martin Seidel
Advisor at Lightstone Ventures
H. Martin Seidel, Ph.D.
Advisor at Lightstone Ventures
Network2
Investors connected to Hanson in public investor directories β a warm-intro map.
Frequently asked questions
- Who is Hanson S. Gifford, III?
- Hanson S. Gifford, III is a managing partner at a medical-device incubator who, since 1998, has founded and led startups and focuses on medical-device deals, with hands-on early-stage operating experience.
- Where does Hanson S. Gifford, III work?
- Hanson S. Gifford, III is Partner at Lightstone Ventures.
- What does Hanson S. Gifford, III invest in?
- Hanson S. Gifford, III invests in Biotech, Healthtech, Medical Devices.
- What check size does Hanson S. Gifford, III write?
- Hanson S. Gifford, III typically writes checks of $100K β $5M.
- Where did Hanson S. Gifford, III go to school?
- Hanson S. Gifford, III studied at Cornell University (BSME, Mechanical Engineering); Phillips Exeter Academy.
Founder mafias
Cornell University mafia218
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
John ZimmerBSFounded Lyft +1Ian JanickiBachelors of ArchitectureFounded Outfit +2Ryan XueBachelor of Science (B.Sc.)Founded Andco +2Don MuirDyson School of BusinessFounded Arc +2Uri LopatinBAFounded Pardes Biosciences +1
+ 212 more
Phillips Exeter Academy mafia28
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
James CurrierHigh School DiplomaFounded Wonderhill +1Benjamin ShawFounded Vets First Choice +1Aaron WhiteHigh SchoolFounded Blissfully +1Matt TranHigh School DiplomaFounded Skip +1Chris SaxmanHigh School DiplomaFounded SidebycareMorris MillerHigh School DiplomaFounded Xenex
+ 21 more
Allay Therapeutics mafia2
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Same school
Also attended Cornell University992
Doug LeonePartner at Sequoia Capital; former Global Managing PartnerJenny LeeSenior Managing Partner at Granite AsiaNeeraj AgrawalGeneral Partner at Battery VenturesJohn ZimmerCo-founder of LyftDeepinder GoyalCo-founder & CEO of ZomatoMichelle FernandesInvestor at Index Ventures
+ 986 more
Also attended Phillips Exeter Academy110
Nathaniel HardingManaging Partner at Cortado VenturesMichael GreeleyCo-Founder and General Partner at Flare Capital PartnersChris SaxmanDigital health entrepreneur, startup mentor, skier, fly fisherman, Steelers fanatic, Co-head of Health 2.0 Denver/Boulder ChapterMax Von PoelnitzPartner at Foothill VenturesJohn H. N. FisherFounder and Managing Partner at DFJRich AldrichFounding Partner at Longwood Fund
+ 104 more









































