LifeX Ventures

Positron Ventures helps and funds Europe-based scientist-entrepreneurs who are pursuing moonshots for (planetary) health. We invest in scientist-entrepreneurs working on a breakthrough in their field, across the natural sciences. We back teams from day one in their pursuit of solving a major global challenge. We do this with pre-seed investments and, wherever needed, support across all aspects of building a company. If you are looking for funding, check out our investment criteria and shopping list, and our view on when to engage. If you think there might be a match, contact us at startups@positron.vc. Scientists who have not yet spun out a company but are interested in doing so, please check our scientist resources.

Since 2017, ZORA has been a leader in Israel’s impact space as an early-stage deep tech investor based in Tel Aviv. We are: Pragmatists who see partnership between innovators and corporates as the fastest path to a cleaner and healthier future; Seekers of rare opportunities for game-changing global impact; Hands-on investors and operators who work intimately with our teams as they bring innovations from lab to field; Voracious learners who derive endless energy from the world-class scientists and teams we have the honor to back. Our community of changemakers extends to our investors who put their capital to work in pursuit of a brighter tomorrow. Vision & mission Israel’s deeptech ecosystem offers unparalleled R&D capable ofaddressing our planet’s largest challenge - managing climate change while ensuring a sustainable food supply for a growing population. Leveraging this research into deployable products for the world’s largest economic actors - global corporations - presents opportunity to effect meaningful change at unprecedented scale. We partner with Israel’s leading scientists and technologists to convert lab-scale innovations into mainstream food, agriculture and climate solutions that transform the way global business is done -- healthfully, sustainably and resource-efficiently. Leadership ZORA was founded by Vanessa Bartram in 2017. Vanessa is an impact entrepreneur turned impact investor. She began her career in investment banking in Mexico City, advising middle-market companies on M&A and restructuring. She later founded the Miami-based impact HR company WorkSquare, which she grew to over $25M in revenue. Vanessa holds an MBA from Harvard, a BA from Princeton, and is a Heritage Fellow with the Wexner Foundation.

A force multiplier for scientists and innovators pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in biology and beyond. We are a team of biologists, engineers, and reformed finance people, but more importantly, we are... Thought partners Builders Optimists Allies We are here to serve our founders, their teams, and the visions they bring to life. Philosophy In the past decade, humanity has gained the ability to Store data on DNA Reprogram cells to kill cancer Train computers to read medical images Write in the code of life Engineer microbes to fix nitrogen for crops What makes all this possible? The Moore meets Mendel moment What it Means We believe we are in the early chapters of a new biological revolution. Data from novel Bio-Tools plus Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning are generating major new insights in biology. These insights will create the next generation of biological products. And we upend the way we heal, clothe, consume, and protect. Our processThemes: Sydney Brenner said it best: “Progress in science depends on new techniques, new discoveries and new ideas, probably in that order”. As long-time investors in novel data-generation techniques, we are in a privileged position to identify major new themes and big ideas that emerge from this data. We prioritize areas with high potential for 'first-in-class' or 'best-in-class' applications. Research: We dive deep into our core themes, and focus on identifying major unmet needs. OMX has a mature network of founders, colleagues, and researchers who help us every step of the way to find standout companies and ideas. Select + Invest: When we see clear best-in-class solutions with a clear market fit, we invest early and get to work. We strive to earn the right every day by being reachable and generous with time, while at the same time having the technical and detail orientation to be more than a friendly ear. As part of your due diligence on us, we encourage you to reach out to the founders we have partnered with. Who: Anyone, anywhere! Many of the entrepreneurs who we support are first-time founders. For some, this is their third or fourth go round; and for others yet, this is their third or fourth time working with us.

Our business is to turn scientists into entrepreneurs who can save lives and save the planet (we call this “human and planetary health”). Personal, 1 on 1, with IndieBio’s Team We are not an assembly line. You are not a widget. Every startup is unique and needs devoted attention. Most startup programs have a meeting with you once a week. We talk to you almost every day. We sit with you, desk to desk, as we work. These rapid touchpoints speed up your iteration cycles and are critical to your evolution into a successful startup. You get direct access to the team that helped build so many iconic companies over the years. Most accelerators are designed to spot the one company in 10 that might be big one day. At IndieBio, every startup matters. You are our first priority. Your success is our only business model. We only invest in companies that come through our accelerator. Our Alumni are Our Greatest Asset All new startups get the benefit of a trusted community with 199 alumni who are happy to share their wisdom. Going through IndieBio is an incredible bonding experience. We teach a philosophy and mindset that is uniquely ours. You’ll become emotionally and intellectually attached to your fellow batch mates. You’ll remember them the rest of your life. This deep connection informs the next years to come. IndieBio is our startups’ birthplace. Everyone visits home. Every generation of startups gets the benefit of alumni help, and then they repay the favor to the new batch. First, we can start funding you and working with you earlier, long before you’re ready to be in the intensive program. We’ve done this up to 9 months in advance. So even if you haven’t graduated yet, or haven’t yet gone full-time on the startup, we recommend you still apply. We Believe in Diversity 44% female. First, second, and third time founders. 36 nationalities. Post-docs and corporates. Ages 21 to 75. Diversity is a core thesis for IndieBio. We find talent that many others overlook. Some of the greatest companies of tomorrow are hiding in plain sight, today, right now. It’s just that nobody listens long and hard enough to recognize the brilliance and the potential. If other investors have told you that you’re “too early,” well, that’s our sweet spot. We’ve funded paper plans, where no science has been done yet–and created hugely successful companies that way. Perhaps the greatest endorsement is how many alumni have returned to IndieBio to create their second company. Choose SOSV as your Partner IndieBio’s parent is SOSV, which has $1 billion in assets under management, and is consistently a Top Quartile VC. SOSV runs programs around the world in robotics, biotech, mobile ecommerce, fintech, automated manufacturing, food, and cryptocurrencies. The firm was founded by Sean O’Sullivan, who had also been an entrepreneur and a humanitarian. In 2020, during the heat of the pandemic – when others were retreating – we were the most active investor in the US. We are now the 4th most active early stage investor in India. Our climate tech portfolio alone is worth over $6 billion. Partners for the Long-term The journey begins with $525,000 and our intense program. But we continue to invest meaningfully in every round. 80% of our capital is deployed post-accelerator. We recommend choosing your investors wisely. We offer the biggest checks in the accelerator industry, but that’s just the beginning. SOSV, our venture fund, is spread around the globe and manages $1.4 billion (as of September 16, 2022). We target a long-term ownership of around 10%, and we continue to invest at Seed through Series C. We are a long-term partner, not just a first-check accelerator. At IndieBio, we are in touch with thousands of investors, and we have co-invested with well over 400 firms. The SOSV network is even greater.

Our planet is facing a multitude of urgent challenges; from climate change, dwindling natural resources and rapid urbanisation, to a growing demand for accessible healthcare. These pressing issues call for innovative and sustainable solutions that only scientific advancements can provide. Deep Science as an Asset Class.We invest in scientific breakthroughs that together advance human capability and create financial returns. We’re looking for: Entirely new technologies developed from fundamental research IP-rich innovations with competitive defensibility Solutions to real problems in Life Sciences, Advanced Materials, TechBio, Photonics and Quantum Hardware, Robotics and Automation, AgChem/Tech and DeepTech We offer portfolio exposure to deep science investments supported by a best-in-class due diligence process conducted by experienced entrepreneurs, operators, investors and scientists Investing with Empirical Ventures. ACCESS: leading pre-seed and seed rounds by leveraging our market-leading due diligence and domain expertise, opening doors to the best deals and co-investors SELECTION: our robust, highly selective process identifies cutting-edge scientific advances from the UK R&D landscape with the most compelling commercial opportunities SCALE: Our track record presents unparalleled opportunities to scale our portfolio companies and attract the best follow-on investors and talent POSITION: Our approach increases the probability of reaching Series A, a key inflection point for pre-seed and seed investors.

Innospark lives at the intersection of decades of expertise and a conviction in the outsized role that Artificial Intelligence will play in our future. More directly, our experience informs our views and propels our mission: We believe AI is here to stay and we are the fund to help ensure its success. Why We InvestUncharted Potential of AI: Leveraging computational intelligence to discover novel solutions to challenging problems across domains. Transformation at Scale: AI will accelerate and expand the ongoing shift to digital, impacting global business, government, and daily life. Scaling Impact: Mission-driven AI carries the hope of improving access, transparency, and affordability in areas such as education, climate, housing, and human health. We Invest at the Intersection of AI and Major IndustriesHealthcare Life Sciences B2B Enterprise Education Disruptive Tech The Innospark AdvantageAI Expertise: Thought partners to technical founders and teams, understanding your approach, your data, your pipeline, and your algorithmic ambitions. Entrepreneurial Mindset: Supporting founders with the perspective of proven operators and builders, betting on people and long-term value. Expansive Network: Founders join an accessible community of experts, advisors, strategics, prospects, executives, and other investors. Extensive Experience: Support, guidance, and mentorship from partners who have walked your path several times.