• Immuto Scientific

  Participated · Seed · Sep 2025

  Immuto Scientific is developing an AI-powered structural surfaceomics platform that integrates high-resolution proteomics, live-cell protein structural assessment, and advanced analytics to uncover novel, disease-specific surface protein conformations. By mapping these previously invisible epitopes, the company aims to generate highly selective drug targets, initially focusing on oncology but with plans to expand into immunology and inflammation. Immuto’s approach promises improved therapeutic indices by minimizing overlap with healthy tissue, thereby reducing toxicity. The platform has already identified targets across multiple tumor types, and the company is advancing its lead oncology program through in-vivo studies with the goal of entering IND-enabling work. In addition to building its internal pipeline, Immuto collaborates with pharmaceutical partners; its first partnership with Daiichi Sankyo will co-discover solid-tumor targets and develop antibodies against them. Backed by recent financing, the company will scale its discovery efforts and deepen its data-driven engine to fuel future therapeutics. No revenue or user metrics were disclosed in the articles.

• Zest Protocol

  Participated · Seed · May 2024

  Zest Protocol provides a lending protocol built specifically for Bitcoin, enabling users to deposit BTC through native Bitcoin transactions and then engage in lending or yield-generating activities. The company leverages upcoming Stacks Nakamoto and sBTC blockchain upgrades to create a fully Bitcoin-native lending experience. Using sBTC’s peg-in wire format, users deposit BTC to fund their balance on Zest Protocol. Its lending infrastructure is currently live on Stacks mainnet with Stacks market as it prepares for the sBTC launch. The company says it will use the funds to expand operations and development efforts. Zest Protocol is based in George Town, Cayman Islands and raised $3.5M in seed funding.

• ExcepGen

  Participated · Seed · Aug 2023

  ExcepGen is a San Francisco, CA-based genetic medicine startup that emerged from stealth and is advancing nucleic acid therapeutics. The company encodes a specialized "shield" protein alongside main nucleic acid cargo to improve how cells react to foreign DNA or RNA and prevent negative cell signaling. This mechanism is intended to enhance the effectiveness and tolerability of DNA- and RNA-based genetic medicines, potentially expanding their reach. ExcepGen is led by CEO Thomas Folliard and Barbara Mertins. The company raised $4M in its latest funding round, bringing total capital raised to $14M. It plans to use the proceeds to accelerate research and development and to advance collaborations with other companies.

• MetaGravity

  Participated · Seed · Apr 2023

  MetaGravity is building the distributed compute infrastructure to support metaverse gaming and virtual world simulations. The platform is designed to offer unlimited scale and support more than 1 million+ concurrent users (CCUs) plus associated AI and interactive objects. MetaGravity says it will deliver sustainable unit costs, achieving cloud compute costs per user as low as 1% of currently available technologies. The infrastructure will integrate into any game engine and cloud platform. The company intends to use the $9.5M Seed proceeds to bolster its engineering and product teams to build the infrastructure layer for metaverse experiences. MetaGravity is co‑founded by CEO Rashid Mansoor and CBO Tobin Ireland and is based in London, UK.

• Acumen Holdings

  Participated · Series B · Feb 2012

  Acumen Brands operates a portfolio of e-commerce sites and uses SEO, SEM, social media marketing and business strategy to grow them. Its sites include toughweld.com (work apparel), scrubshopper.com (medical scrubs) and countryoutfitter.com (country lifestyle apparel). Led by CEO John James, M.D., COO Terry Turpin, J.D., CMO David Echegoyen, CFO Chuck Browning and CTO Jim Kane, the company focuses on digital marketing to scale its brands. According to an S.E.C. filing, Acumen Brands raised $83M in funding. Multiple reports said the funds were provided by General Atlantic. The company intends to use the capital to grow its portfolio of e-commerce sites. Acumen Brands, founded in 2009 and based in Fayetteville, Arkansas, operates twelve separate niche online stores supported by proprietary software and advanced fulfillment systems. The company began as a single medical-uniform store with four employees and has grown to seventy employees across its storefronts. Acumen offers uniquely branded storefronts across categories including medical uniforms, work wear and western wear. Recently it completed a $5.0 million growth financing, selling Series B preferred stock that included a $4.0 million investment from Dillard’s. As part of the deal, Acumen will collaborate with Dillard’s to enhance both Dillards.com and Acumen’s twelve sites and will provide technological marketing services and support to Dillard’s. Dillard’s Vice President Kent Burnett will join Acumen’s board to provide strategic guidance as the companies work together to grow their online presences. Acumen Holdings operates a portfolio of online stores including trailsedge.com (outdoor apparel), toughweld.com (workwear), scrubshopper.com (nursing scrubs) and babyhabit.com (baby gear). The company is a distributor for more than 200 brands, such as Timberland, Carhartt, Dickies, Fisher Price, Wrangler and Under Armour. It intends to use the new capital to expand into additional retail categories and to outfit an automated fulfillment facility. Management says the new infrastructure will allow Acumen to open 20 additional online stores in the next 24 months. The company is based in Fayetteville, Arkansas and plans to create technology jobs in Northwest Arkansas as part of its growth. No revenue or user metrics were disclosed in the article.

No current team members are available.