Participated · Equity · Dec 2025

Impulse Dynamics builds and commercializes the Optimizer platform, a cardiac contractility modulation (CCM) device designed to improve the quality of life for heart-failure (HF) patients who have limited therapeutic options. Led by CEO Jason Spees, the company focuses on both commercial rollout and continued clinical validation of its technology. More than 12,000 patients have already received CCM therapy across clinical trials and real-world settings, with data demonstrating safety and efficacy for HF patients suffering debilitating symptoms. Current initiatives include the INTEGRA-D multicenter study evaluating the CCM-D HF System and the AIM HIGHer trial. The newly secured capital will be directed toward accelerating commercialization, advancing its future product pipeline, and supporting ongoing clinical trials. The company positions itself as a specialized player tackling unmet needs in the large and growing HF market.

Participated · Equity · Dec 2024

SandboxAQ develops physics-grounded AI tools—centered on its ReAQT platform and Large Quantitative Models (LQMs)—that generate high-fidelity simulation data and predict properties of yet-to-be-synthesized materials. The company uses workflows such as AQCat and AQVolt to screen catalyst and battery chemistries with near-quantum-chemistry accuracy, and it has collaborated with NVIDIA on AQCat. SandboxAQ has published technical work in journals including Nature NPJ Computational Materials and Chemical Science. Its models are trained on the laws of physics, chemistry, and biology rather than human language, enabling virtual screening of millions of candidate materials to reduce lab trial-and-error. Following the CHIPS award, SandboxAQ plans to advance top candidates into scaled domestic manufacturing through American manufacturing partners and to invest the award funds into its platform and model enhancements.

Participated · Series D · Dec 2015

Prosetta Biosciences is focused on creating novel small-molecule drugs that interfere with the protein capsids viruses assemble to protect their genomes. By destabilizing these capsids, the company aims to halt viral replication across multiple pathogens, with its first drug candidate directed at hepatitis C. The science is rooted in research conducted by founders Vishwanath Lingappa, Jaisri Lingappa, and other UCSF academics. All of Prosetta’s candidates are designed for oral delivery, potentially allowing easier patient compliance compared with injectable antivirals. The company has raised several early rounds to advance its preclinical pipeline and currently carries a valuation of more than $20 million. While still pre-revenue and in early development stages, the team is using the fresh capital to progress lead compounds toward clinical readiness.

Led · Series B · Nov 2014

Tolero Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing treatments for serious oncological and hematological diseases. Its lead program, alvocidib, is a potent small-molecule CDK inhibitor being developed as a front-line combination therapy for AML and relapsed/refractory AML and has shown high complete response rates in clinical studies to date. The company plans to initiate Phase 3 clinical trials of alvocidib in patients with AML in 2015. Proceeds from the Series B financing will support the further development and commercialization of alvocidib. Tolero also intends to advance its preclinical pipeline and plans to initiate clinical trials of two preclinical programs in 2015. The company is advancing both clinical and preclinical programs to address leukemias, anemia, and targets of drug resistance and transcriptional control. Tolero Pharmaceuticals is advancing a pipeline of therapies targeting oncological and hematological diseases, with a lead program focused on acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Its lead asset, alvocidib, is a potent small-molecule inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) being developed as a front-line combination therapy for AML and relapsed/refractory AML. The company intends to initiate a Phase 3 clinical trial of alvocidib in patients with AML in 2015. Proceeds from the recent financing will support further development and commercialization of alvocidib and the ongoing advancement of Tolero’s preclinical pipeline. Tolero frames its programs around targets related to blood disorders, drug resistance, and transcriptional control. The company is headquartered in Salt Lake City.

Led · Series B · Jul 2014

ChoiceStream offers programmatic advertising services that manage each phase of campaigns for brands and agencies, from pre-launch planning to completion. The company uses a proprietary polling platform, Pollshare, to create custom targetable audiences and provides real-time optimization and audience insights. Its Thunderdome platform applies machine-learning algorithms to optimize campaign performance, supported by an in-house team of industry experts. ChoiceStream emphasizes in-house foundational technology and reports a client retention rate well above the industry average. The company plans to further develop its managed services, launch an expanded self-service product to put programmatic tools into the hands of brands and agencies, and pursue international expansion. ChoiceStream recently closed a new financing round to support these initiatives. ChoiceStream is based in Boston, MA and operates a programmatic advertising platform for online, video, and mobile advertisers. The platform features real-time bidding and machine learning to optimize media buys. Its services include creative development, campaign management, complete transparency, and custom audience insights. Clients include Zappos, Dunkin' Donuts, and AAA. Led by CEO Eric Bosco, the company plans to use newly raised funds to expand survey-based targeting, dynamic creative, and audience insights capabilities. ChoiceStream recently raised $7.5M in a Series B funding round led by Fred Alger Management. ChoiceStream offers personalized marketing solutions that help brands find qualified customers and target them with online ads, personalized email, and product recommendations across mobile, TV, and web touch points. Its core technology transforms shopping behavior and media consumption into intelligence about consumer preferences to improve engagement, conversion rates and customer loyalty. The company recently launched CRUNCH, described as the industry’s first audience targeting platform, and plans to accelerate its sales and market entry. ChoiceStream has more than ten years of experience and serves clients including AT&T, Zappos, Tesco, Ticketmaster and MTV. To support growth and the rollout of CRUNCH, ChoiceStream secured $8.7 million in funding (the round is planned to top out at $10.7 million) and was recapitalized in conjunction with issuance of Series A Preferred Stock. The financing is intended to fuel corporate growth and advance the company’s move into the advertising market.