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About
Jay Schmelter is a co-founder of RiverVest Venture Partners, a St. Louis-based venture capital firm focused on life science companies, which he helped launch alongside Tom Melzer and Andy Craig. Since RiverVest's formation and Fund I, the firm has made investments across medical device and biopharma companies, with 61 investments and 41 exits, and portfolio companies whose products have treated patients worldwide. Schmelter was a co-founder of portfolio company Salient Surgical, one of the firm's first two investments. He continues to focus on enabling entrepreneurs to develop and commercialize novel life science technologies.
Contact· published on Jay's own website
Beyond investing
- Founded
- Co-founded RiverVest Venture Partners alongside Tom Melzer and Andy Craig. Co-founded Salient Surgical, one of RiverVest's first two portfolio investments.
From Jay's own website — common ground for a warm intro.
Deals · 5
Alleviant Medical IncBoard seat
via RiverVest Venture Partners · filed Jan 2025 · $91.4M raise
Intervene IncBoard seat
via RiverVest Venture Partners · filed Mar 2023 · $3M raise
Cardialen IncBoard seat
via RiverVest Venture Partners · filed Jul 2021 · $4.4M raise
Smart WiresBoard seat
via RiverVest Venture Partners · filed Nov 2018 · $20M raise
Tryton MedicalBoard seat
via RiverVest Venture Partners · filed Feb 2017 · $8M raise
Attribution from SEC filings, press coverage, and firm rosters.
Other disclosed investments
Board seats
Investor
Idev Technologies IncSalient Surgical
Sources: SEC Form D filings · curated public sources · the investor's own website.
Colleagues at RiverVest Venture Partners
Network1
Investors connected to Jay in public investor directories — a warm-intro map.
Frequently asked questions
- Who is Jay W. Schmelter?
- Jay Schmelter is a co-founder of RiverVest Venture Partners, a St. Louis-based venture capital firm focused on life science companies, which he helped launch alongside Tom Melzer and Andy Craig. Since RiverVest's formation and Fund I, the firm has made investments across medical device and biopharma companies, with 61 investments and 41 exits, and portfolio companies whose products have treated patients worldwide. Schmelter was a co-founder of portfolio company Salient Surgical, one of the firm's first two investments. He continues to focus on enabling entrepreneurs to develop and commercialize novel life science technologies.
- Where does Jay W. Schmelter work?
- Jay W. Schmelter is Co-founder & Managing Director at RiverVest Venture Partners.
- What boards does Jay W. Schmelter sit on?
- Jay W. Schmelter holds tracked board seats at Adarza BioSystems, Alleviant Medical Inc, Cardialen Inc, Intervene Inc, Smart Wires, Tryton Medical.
- What companies has Jay W. Schmelter invested in?
- Investments tracked here include Alleviant Medical Inc, Idev Technologies Inc, Intervene Inc, Salient Surgical, Tryton Medical.
About this profile. Compiled from public sources — RiverVest Venture Partners's own website, regulatory filings and public professional profiles — and summarised by Fundraising Fox; every fact is kept with where it came from. Spotted an error, or would rather not be listed? Email privacy@fundraisingfox.com · How we build profiles · Your rights