The Venture Codex

Participated · Series B · Apr 2026

Restore Vision is developing optogenetics-based gene therapies, notably its lead program RV-001 which introduces a proprietary light-sensor protein called Chimera Rhodopsin into retinal interneurons via AAV intravitreal injection. The approach targets retinal diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa where photoreceptors have been lost. The company has completed first patient administration in a Phase I/II clinical trial of RV-001 at Keio University Hospital. Restore Vision plans to advance global clinical development of RV-001 and to pursue research and development of a second pipeline. Financially, the company has raised approximately ¥3.5 billion in equity to date and received about ¥2.1 billion in AMED grants, totaling roughly ¥5.8 billion in funding, with potential for an additional ¥4.5 billion through the AMED project.

Led · Series A · Jan 2025

Enhanced Medical Nutrition (EMN) develops medical nutrition products and programs to improve surgical outcomes. Its flagship product, ENROUTE®, is a proprietary, evidence-based nutrition program for the dietary management of surgery, supported by clinical evidence and built on patented technology licensed from university inventors. ENROUTE® is administered pre- and post-operatively, tailored to address surgical patients' metabolic and physiological demands, and currently focuses on adult orthopedic surgery populations. EMN intends to scale ENROUTE® across North America using proceeds from its recent financing. The company is based in Toronto, Ontario and Chicago, Illinois. EMN aims to integrate nutrition into surgical protocols to reduce risk, accelerate recovery, and improve patient experience.

Participated · Series A · Sep 2024

Safire Group develops SAFIRE™, a patented drop-in additive for Li‑ion batteries that prevents fires through an instantaneous liquid-to-solid transformation upon kinetic impact. Its shear-thickening electrolyte enables batteries to resist deformation and prevents short circuits, providing lightweight crash protection for EVs and enabling novel battery uses. SAFIRE was invented after nearly a decade of research and development at the U.S. Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The company is deploying the technology in four distinct use cases: a ruggedized electric motorcycle, a rapidly deployable sensor tower, an unmanned ground vehicle, and multifunctional body armor. Safire is venture-backed and announced $8 million in new Pre‑Series A financing, bringing total funding to $11 million. The company plans to expand operations in the Knoxville, Tennessee area, continue collaboration with ORNL, and further demonstrate SAFIRE in government and automotive markets.

Participated · Series C · Mar 2024

Tech Magic develops cooking and business-operation robots that tightly integrate hardware and AI-driven software to automate kitchen workflows and food-factory tasks while preserving taste and service quality. Its products target restaurant kitchens, central kitchens and food factories, automating cooking steps, dish sorting, portioning, processing and transport. The company positions its robots as partner devices that augment human capability rather than merely replacing workers. Founded in February 2018 and headquartered in Tokyo, Tech Magic announced a ¥2.54 billion Series C that increases cumulative third‑party allotment funding to ¥4.4 billion. Proceeds are earmarked for strengthening hardware and software R&D, creating new food-experience businesses, preparing for mass production and maintenance of cooking robots, and ramping hiring across development, production and sales. Strategic investors and industry partners named in the announcement are expected to support commercialization and broader deployment across the food industry.

Participated · Series A · May 2023

Ascend offers CMC services including process development, clinical GMP manufacturing, analytics and regulatory support for advanced modality biotech companies, with an initial technical focus on high‑quality AAV vectors. The company assembled a cross‑functional team of approximately 120 experts by acquiring and merging experienced teams across three countries and two continents. Its technology base uses a split two‑plasmid transfection system for AAV manufacture and a broad suite of assays. Ascend’s operations are headquartered in the UK, with GMP production in Potters Bar (North London), platform research in the San Francisco Bay Area, and process development and analytics in Munich. The business launched alongside a $132.5M Series A, which has enabled the acquisition of CMC capabilities and technologies from Freeline Therapeutics and provides operational runway to build the company. Management says it will continue to refine and flex its model to meet market needs and is presenting capabilities at industry meetings such as ASGCT.